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Charlene Martinez, director of the Multi-Cultural Center at Sacramento State, believes that diversity is a necessity for any campus. Coming from a background of mixed heritage herself, Martinez is proud of the diversity at Sacramento State.

“For students to be competent in the world, they need to not only be exposed but have the knowledge and skills to interact with people of other races, ethnicities and backgrounds,” Martinez said.

Diversity, Martinez said, is a complex topic that looks at the historically underrepresented groups and goes hand-in-hand with social justice, which she defined as the process and a goal where these minority groups seek equality.

“This is a larger picture that is not limited to race,” Martinez says. “It covers issues from someone’s historical background to someone’s sexual orientation.”

One of Sac State’s responsibilities when graduating students, Martinez said, is to equip them with cultural competency and with awareness for all cultures. She said that students should know the history behind the different people sitting next to them, rather than just knowing they have a different appearance.

“We represent a small sample of our nation and it is important to understand the richness of our backgrounds to better service the world,” Martinez said. “If we are graduating students who have never interacted with someone who doesn’t look like them, then we are disservice to them as educators.”

Jason Sumijunior business major

Jason Sumi, junior business major, is appreciative of the diverse campus at Sac State and does not feel different or segregated for having Filipino heritage.

“I am proud of my Filipino background and I also enjoy being the first-born American citizen in my family,” Sumi said. “My favorite part of my culture is the food, especially lumpia.”Sac State’s campus is notable for being diverse, Sumi said, if a person were to look around, it is clear that everyone is different.

Sumi, who is also a new student orientation leader, said the campus supports diversity through specified cultural groups. One group in particular, he said, is the Samahang Pilipino Club.

Sumi was a member of the club and said because of it he was able to make a connection to other Filipino students on campus.

“By being in a club that supports your heritage, you get to share your ethnicity and it is something that brings you together,” Sumi said. “I was able to create friendships just from the similarities of our heritage.”

Ruchi Vasudevsenior business major

Ruchi Vasudeva, senior business major, comes from a family with parents who had an arranged marriage in the state of Punjab in East India and then moved to New York to create a family.

Following the original culture of her parents, Vasudeva speaks a small amount of Punjabi and Hindi and even practices the native religion – Hinduism.

“My parents never forced my religion, we just practiced it together,” Vasudeva said.Vasudeva said she enjoys having her culture and background because it gives her a reason for her traditions.

“Sometimes people in America don’t have customs and don’t know what culture is,” Vasudeva said. “My culture helps me connect me to my roots.”

Sac State is accepting of many different cultures, she said, and that makes the diversity on campus enjoyable.

“I would hate to go somewhere that didn’t have enough culture,” Vasudeva said. “At Sac State I can meet anyone from Irish background to an Asian background.”

Carolina Penafreshman criminal justice major

To ensure a better life for her family, Carolina Pena’s mother risked everything to come to the United States. Pregnant with Pena, her mother walked through the Tijuana desert in the search of better fortune.

“There was nothing for my family in Mexico,” Pena said. “We came to the United States for more opportunity and hopes of a better life.”

Pena is a freshman criminal justice major at Sac State and said she is not only proud of her mother’s feats to get to the states, but she is also proud to be of Mexican heritage.

“I love my culture for the atmosphere that we carry – we are always loud and happy and most importantly united; we like to stay together,” Pena said. “I love my culture, especially the food.”

By being from a different background, Pena said, her culture is what sets her apart from other people.

“My culture is what defines me as a person,” Pena said. “Speaking a different language and being different sets me apart from others.”

Louis Wilkessophomore media cultures major

To ensure a better life for her family, Carolina Pena’s mother risked everything to come to the United States.

Pregnant with Pena, her mother walked through the Tijuana desert in the search of better fortune.

“There was nothing for my family in Mexico,” Pena said. “We came to the United States for more opportunity and hopes of a better life.”

Pena is a freshman criminal justice major at Sac State and said she is not only proud of her mother’s feats to get to the states, but she is also proud to be of Mexican heritage.

“I love my culture for the atmosphere that we carry – we are always loud and happy and most importantly united; we like to stay together,” Pena said. “I love my culture, especially the food.”

By being from a different background, Pena said, her culture is what sets her apart from other people.

“My culture is what defines me as a person,” Pena said. “Speaking a different language and being different sets me apart from others.”

Erin Rogers can be reached at [email protected]