students and employers at inclusive networking night 2022

Recap of Inclusive Employer Night Find more information on why you should attend career networking events!

June 30, 2023

On October 12, 2022, the Office of Career and Professional Development and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion co-hosted an in-person DEI networking event called Inclusive Employer Night. With 15 employers and 72 students in attendance, the third floor patio of Argyros Forum was packed — with people and the crucial conversations and connections that were made.

Purpose

The purpose of this event was to present a solid opportunity for individuals who identify as LatinX, Black, People of Color (POC), Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA), women, LGBTQIA+, First Generation, veterans, and other diverse identities to connect with representatives from organizations that have quality DEI programs and clear commitments to diverse hiring and staff retention/support practices.

Notable Figures in Chapman’s DEI Community

This was a new initiative from the Office of Career and Professional Development’s Assistant Vice President, Jennifer Kim. With the support of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, notable figures in Chapman’s DEI community also took part in launching the successful Inclusive Employer Night:

Reginald Stewart, Ph.D., Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Gabriela Castaneda, Ed.D., Director for LatinX Achievement
Misty Levingston, M.A., PPS, Director for Black Excellence and Achievement
Araceli Martinez, M.A., Executive Director of the Cross Cultural Center and First Generation Programs

Observations and Takeaways

Hear from Andrea Straccia, Director of the Office of Career and Professional Development, on why this was such a significant event for our campus community.

“Employers like to talk about diversity. But sadly, not all employers’ actions mirror their words. The Inclusive Employer Night celebrated the outstanding work being done by select Chapman employers to recruit, support and retain diverse talent. It provided a space for students and employers to reflect on why inclusive hiring practices are so important and to engage in meaningful, honest conversations around this topic. By elevating the conversation, we hope to provide positive reinforcement to the employers who engage in this work while teaching students that they can and should hold their employers accountable to these practices. It was inspiring to see students and employers engage in these conversations; it makes me hopeful for a future where these practices will be standard at every place of employment.”

Check out the employer representatives the students connected on DEI topics, developed career connections, and learned about potential professional opportunities: