...Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness. --Psalm 143:10

Our life experiences indeed shape how we evolve as individuals. If someone has never been truly loved, that often translates into that individual having difficultly demonstrating love towards others.

Living and working in New York City during the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, and the death of my spouse in 2006, are two profound life experiences that have shaped who I am, and consequently how I lead and love others. Recognizing that none of us are promised tomorrow is often at the forefront of my mind. Hence, fixating on the future is challenging for me, especially when living in the here and now requires action. I have tried my best to infuse this “action” mentality throughout my contributions to Gonzaga over the past five years. I am thankful for the God-given insight in this area and for my wonderful staff who had confidence in my vision. I often found it much easier to navigate this personal ethos when others were genuine and valued my distinctiveness. Conversely it was challenging when there was a lack of authenticity, accountability or outright resistance. Nevertheless, even in those times, I have relied on the Holy Spirit to guide me, and became a better, stronger person.

I hope that UMEC’s transformation under my leadership will continue to thrive and reach higher heights. To those of you who went above and beyond to articulate my value and support the department’s efforts, know that you will be greatly missed, but not forgotten. Being employed at GU has been another evolutionary experience that has taught me never to forsake my call in life to stand for truth and justice, and also reiterated the importance of emulating a Godly spirit in leadership

Remain open to transformation…Farewell Zags.

Tracy Ellis-Ward Director, UMEC

UNITY

502 e boone ave msc#2466, spokane, wa 99258 (509) 313-5836 unityhouse@gonzaga.edu

UMEC’s new physical location is 730 E. Boone Ave. On the corner of Boone and Cincinnati (Arcross from the BARC).

Important Notice

the

Director’s Corner inside this issue...UMEC Transitions2013 BRIDGE Info!

MULTICULTURALEDUCATIONCENTERSpecial Summer Issue! August 15, 2013newsletter

Editor’s note: Tracy’s last day at Gonzaga was on 8/9/2013. We will miss her and wish her the best in her new journey!

David H. Garcia,Assistant Director

David H. Garcia has joined the UMEC team as the Assistant Director of the Unity Multicultural Education Center. David’s responsibilities include: planning, facilitating, and marketing diverse events and programs such as the BRIDGE pre-orientation and Multicultural Honor Society programs.

He received his B.S. in Business Administration from Central Washington University and his M.Ed. in Program Administration from Heritage University. He is a first-generation college graduate. Prior to coming to UMEC, David was the Program Coordinator at Gonzaga’s Academic Advising and Assistance Office. David has worked in all levels of education: early learning, primary, secondary, and higher education. Currently, David is pursuing a Doctorate in Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University. He resides in Spokane with his wife Tracy and two children, Luis and Noè, ages three and a half years and seven months.

New Staff Addition!

Gonzaga university unity multicultural education center

MEET THE 2013 SUMMER BRIDGE TEAM!

Jordan LoveProgram Coordinator

Jesus Esqueda Logistics Coordinator

Deonna SmithPublic Relations Coordinator

I will be a senior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Philosophy. I'm a military brat and have lived in NINE different places in 21 years of life. In my spare time I enjoy writing and performing slam poetry, grooving in Zumba workouts, walking Spokane's Centennial Trail

(in the summer months), taking candid photos of friends, reading novels from the "classic" section, and putting my Netflix and Hulu accounts to good use! I love BRIDGE and have been involved with the program for the last three years and know that this year will be the BEST yet!

I am a Junior Mechanical Engineering major from Federal Way, WA and I just returned from studying abroad in Florence, Italy for a semester. There is one thing that I missed from my experience abroad. No matter how much pasta I ate I still didn’t come back with a big stomach, full of pasta! I guess

I managed to avoid the stomach because I love to play any sport, especially baseball and basketball, and because I love to dance. I guarantee that during the BRIDGE program, I will dance at least once everyday! At least once...probably more.

I am a senior Political Science, International Relations and Spanish major. I am a proud Spokane native and an Act Six scholar. Aside from academics I am involved in many extracurriculars like GSBA, Model

United Nations, CCASL mentoring programs, Black Student Union and frolicking around campus. Outside of Gonzaga I spend my time engaging in the Spokane community through Spokane Democrats, the AVID program and other service organizations. My passions include Pintrest, Starbucks and traveling. When I graduate I’m going to be a corps member for Teach for America, go to law school and work at Disneyworld as a princess. I am elated with the opportunity to put one of my talents, Facebook creeping, to good use as PR coordinator this year and meet another group of amazing freshmen.

2013 BRIDGE STATS:40 Participants

22 Females; 18 Males17 First Generation Students

12 Latino/Hispanic American Students9 Multiracial American Students

9 Asian American Students5 Black/African American Students

2 Hawaiian/Pacific Islander American Students1 American Indian/Alaska Native Student

1 International Student1 White/Caucasian American Student

2013 Summer BRIDGE Counselors

Jordan Alcantara, Rene Alvarez, Jr., Arlene Chandra, Brittany Clark, Maddie Hagen, Yusra Hamidani, Susie Lira, Emmanuel Lopez, Nina Montoya, Ryan Songcuan, Cory Tanaka, Logan Torres, Jacquelyn Urbina, and Ruben Yamada