February 2, 2026 - University Diversity Officer Update

Dear Campus Community,

I’m writing to share that University Diversity Officer Joseph Morales will be transitioning back to a faculty role in the Ethnic, Gender, and Queer Studies Department for fall 2026. After leading the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for the last three years, Dr. Morales has chosen to return to his teaching and scholarship in a more full-time capacity — something he has long aspired to do.

This spring, we will begin our search for a new University Diversity Officer. Our commitment to this work remains steadfast. Equity, diversity, and inclusion are core pillars of our Community Agreements and central to the Chico State Playbook. We will continue to uphold and advance these priorities with focus, transparency, and care. At the same time, we recognize that this is not the work of any one office or individual. Creating a more inclusive and equitable campus is a shared responsibility — and one that belongs to all of us.

Please join me in thanking Dr. Morales for his leadership in the last three years and his continued work to advance free speech, sense of safety, and respect and understanding across our campus community. I particularly want to recognize his work on antisemitism and Islamophobia, his What to Do, What to Say immigration information and resources workshops, and successes with the Diversity Certificate Program. His distributed leadership model, uplifting faculty fellows to carry out equity-driven work across campus, has set new standards and created meaningful opportunities. And he has been an incredible champion for our work as an Hispanic-Serving Institution, our pursuit of the Seal of Excelencia, and our aspirations to become an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. As Dr. Morales returns to the classroom, we know he will continue to have a powerful impact on our students, colleagues, and field. I’m grateful to have him as an educator, a colleague, and a friend.

Thank you,
Steve Perez