Office of Community and Belonging

Advancing the Otter Culture of Care by fostering a community where all students, faculty and staff feel welcomed and supported in all aspects of campus life.

The Office of Community and Belonging works collaboratively with campus partners to make care an intentional and ongoing part of the CSUMB culture. We offer belonging-focused education, gatherings and celebrations that strengthen our relationships and community life.

Grounded in the Belief that a Caring University is Built By People

We’re all Otters. And together, with intention and over time, we strive to ensure that each Otter:

  • Experiences a genuine sense of belonging
  • Can fully engage and flourish academically, professionally and socially
  • Belongs to a campus culture where care is not an occasional act but an every day practice

Land Acknowledgement

Cal State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) resides on the indigenous homeland of the Amah Mutsun, Esselen, Ohlone, Rumsen, Salinan people and territories. It is on these rich homelands, where CSUMB not only thrives as an institution of higher education, but also provides an education abundant with service and experience to a diverse community of learners.

As our students, staff, faculty, alumni and community members explore the university’s campus, remember to respect the land and take note of the natural beauty. Remember that Ancestors rest below pathways and in other less traveled areas on campus. We Are Here - Let Ka Lai

This statement was revised on March 11, 2024, in consultation with Monterey County Tribal leaders and CSUMB’s Native American Council. More details on CSUMB’s Land Acknowledgement are available on the Cultural Heritage Office website.

Dedicated to Cultural Heritage and Inclusion

Cultural Heritage Office

CSUMB’s Cultural Heritage Office is dedicated to returning Native American human remains and cultural items within its possession back to the Native American Tribes.

Office of the Ombuds

The Office of the Ombuds serves all members of the campus community as an independent, neutral resource for informal problem-solving.

Title IX

CSUMB’s Title IX office actively addresses issues related to sex discrimination, sexual misconduct and discrimination, harassment and retaliation.

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Our Team

Nizhoni Chow-Garcia

Nizhoni Chow-Garcia

Associate Vice President for Community and Belonging

Jordan Leininger

Jordan Leininger

Cultural Heritage Collections Manager

Inspired Work, Boundless Possibilities

Campus Cookout with students

Our Mission and Vision

We envision a campus where belonging is more than a feeling – it’s a shared, collective commitment.

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Students holding CSUMB t shirts

Care Initiatives

From Care and Belonging Plans, to employee affinity groups, to many other projects and initiatives, our work can be felt throughout the CSUMB campus.

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Students at the table of the brunch with the president

Workshops and Training

We coordinate training sessions and workshops focused on community and belonging every year across campus.

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Student typing on a laptop inside El Centro.

Immigration

We provide comprehensive support for faculty, staff and student employees with regard to immigration enforcement activity that may affect our community.

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Students sitting in the OSU loungw

Questions? We’re Here to Help.

Opportunities to engage, access support and strengthen the campus community are available to all.

Visit

Our offices are located at Library Suite 2179, 100 Campus Center.

Contact

Office of Community and Belonging