SWANA/MENA & Combating Bias Taskforce

CSUSM Presidential Task Force on Building Bridges: Creating a Thriving Campus Climate for SWANA/MENA Students and Combating Bias

Context and Purpose

In alignment with the CSUSM Strategic Plan vision to drive intellectual engagement, innovation, and sustainability for a diverse global society, the Presidential Task Force on Building Bridges: Creating a Thriving Campus Climate for SWANA/MENA Students and Combating Bias (“Building Bridges Task Force”) is charged with examining the issues and opportunities that impact the engagement of SWANA (Southwest Asian and North African), MENA (Middle Eastern and North African), Arab, Muslim, and other students whose identities and lived experiences intersect with these communities within CSUSM academic and student life. The Building Bridges Task Force will inform CSUSM’s ongoing commitments to belonging, nondiscrimination, and access to success for all students.

Group Charge & Role

Guided by CSUSM’s mission of student success, the Building Bridges Task Force affirms the university’s responsibility to ensure that SWANA, MENA, Arab, Muslim, and other students whose identities and lived experiences intersect with these communities are welcomed, supported, and have equitable opportunities to thrive. The group will provide recommendationsto the President to strengthen the university’s efforts in fostering an environment free from bias, where all students feel a sense of belonging, learn, and succeed. The group will also provide the President with a culminating report (by April 2027) summarizing efforts and outcomes.

Membership

The task force will consist of administrators, faculty, staff, students, and community members, who will serve for the duration. Members will attest to a commitment to working in partnership to improve the CSUSM experience for all students.

The membership will be as follows:

• Co-Chair: Ariel Stevenson, Deputy Diversity Officer, Office of Inclusive Excellence
• Co-Chair: Christine Paik, Senior Director, Executive Communications, Office of the President
• Dr. Leila Abrous-Sasanka, Lecturer, Chemistry & Biochemistry (Faculty)
• Dr. Majid Karimi, Associate Professor, Operations, Supply Chain, and Business Analytics(Faculty)
• Dr. Aswad Allen, Chief Diversity Officer (Administrator)
• Sara Quinn, Interim Assistant Vice President, Student Life (Administrator)
• Eslam Alwi, President of Muslim Student Association (Student)
• Sahand Shahoy (Alumnus)
• Hala Durrah, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, The Humanization Matters Collaborative(Community)
• Tazheen Nizam, Executive Director, CAIR California (Community)

Key Responsibilities

1. Data & Insight Gathering
   • Recommend approaches to collect and review data on the experiences of SWANA, MENA, Arab, Muslim, and other students whose identities and lived experiences intersect with these communities.
   • Propose ways to monitor progress toward fostering an environment free from bias, where all students belong, learn, and succeed.
2. Campus Climate & Curriculum
   • Review campus policies for unintended barriers to academic or student life engagement for SWANA, MENA, Arab, Muslim, and other students whose identities and lived experiences intersect with these communities.
   • Review and recommend improvements for practices to identify and respond toinstances of bias on campus.
   • With the goal of deepening understanding across the university community, recommend opportunities to bring awareness to and celebrate SWANA, MENA, Arab, and Muslim experiences and culture.
3. Community Building & Sustainability
   • Recommend strategies to create a more welcoming environment for SWANA, MENA, Arab, Muslim, and other students whose identities and lived experiences intersect with these communities.
   • Recommend long-term approaches for sustaining these efforts, ensuring they remain embedded in CSUSM’s culture and commitments.