By Caitlin Marsch in Campus News, College Days on March 9, 2023
An interview with the new Director of Multicultural Affairs
Yazmin Doroteo works at her desk in the Center for Diversity and Inclusion. Photo Courtesy of Caitlin Marsch.
Yazmin Doroteo assumed her new position as Director of Multicultural Affairs on January 17th, 2023, and now leads the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI).
She learned about the position from her mentor, Maria Mendoza-Bautista, who was the previous CDI director. Doroteo applied because of her background in social justice, and because of her undergraduate and graduate studies focusing on the education system.
“My passion is working with students and mentoring them, and also building community,” Doroteo said.
According to student interns at the CDI, this passion shines through in Doroteo’s work.
“I met Yazmin when she came to Ripon for her interview, and I instantly knew she would be a great asset to the college,” Meili Freeland, a senior and CDI intern said. “Yazmin is a visionary leader who has a passion for inclusiveness and diversity.”
“The CDI has always been an important place on campus, some would even go as far as to say that the CDI is the heartbeat of Ripon College,” senior and CDI intern Maythe Salcedo said. “And Yazmin definitely adds to that beating heart!”
Yazmin Doroteo standing on a bridge. Photo Courtesy of Yazmin Doroteo.
Doroteo said that she could relate to students leaving home and learning to navigate college because her new job at Ripon College is her first time moving away from her home in the San Diego area of Southern California. She was also a first-generation college student.
Students are already feeling the impacts of her work.
“I personally am extremely grateful for her being here, there’s something about being able to have someone I can identify with in a position of power on campus,” Salcedo said. “I am ecstatic to know that there will now be another person helping students like me navigate through higher education!”
Doroteo has also envisioned new goals and events for this semester.
“I am excited to see all of her wonderful ideas that will benefit the college,” Freeland said, and Salcedo remarked that Doroteo has “the most extraordinary ideas”.
When asked about one dream event she would like to see at the CDI, Doroteo talked about her vision of a graduation ceremony for first-generation college students, and a celebration to distinguish students’ accomplishments.
“It’s a huge accomplishment for first generation students and their families,” Doroteo said.
Doroteo said that her goal is to reach out to students, to get more students to come to the CDI, and to create “a safe space for students to have a conversation and create events and give resources to staff, faculty, and students.”
“My old college was my home away from home and I want this to be that for students,” Doroteo said.
“Her leadership and guidance is unmatched, Ripon College is so blessed to have her, and I am so blessed to have her,” Salcedo said.