Diversity Leader Lands at Mare Island Campus
Community Activism as a Young Adult in Alabama Helps Shape Journey to Bay Area
A leader of diversity-based initiatives with more than 20 years of experience in the Bay Area has arrived at Touro University California as the Associate Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging.
Dr. Mark Gaines joined the campus community July 22 – just in time to take part in Orientation activities for the estimated 430 people coming to TUC as first-year students in all three colleges and the University’s eight distinct program areas, and to take part in Club Day activities two weeks later.
Gaines said he is pleased to have been on campus for such broad-based student activities so soon after he started at TUC, in part to help familiarize himself with the campus and its programs, but also to see how the University faculty and staff interact with students, and to introduce himself to the students he’s here to serve.
Andrea Garcia, Vice President of Advancement and Director of Diversity and Community Affairs, said Gaines’ efforts further the University’s belief that embracing diversity enriches the campus community and strengthens its mission: to serve, to lead, and to teach.
“Dr. Gaines plays a vital role in fostering a campus culture that celebrates diversity, inclusion, and belonging at Touro University California,” Garcia said. “His expertise and dedication help ensure that every member of our community feels valued and supported.
“Through the initiatives he is developing, Dr. Gaines will create opportunities for dialogue, understanding, and growth,” Garcia said.
Outreach extends to Off-Campus Community
Gaines said he was attracted by TUC’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging; its commitment to serving students, faculty, and community; the opportunity to work with students and faculty in an academic setting; and the University’s engagement with the community; and its commitment to provide care to underserved communities.
He has been engaging with students to learn their stories; and reaching out and engaging with the broader community to build a pipeline of prospective students.
Gaines said he hopes to involve more alumni in his outreach efforts.
He said TUC alumni can serve as role models for current students, who can see successful alumni who “look like them.” He said it’s also an opportunity for alumni to give back to TUC.
“This benefits our students because they see someone who has walked in their shoes,” Gaines said.
Strong Background in Diversity-Based Initiatives
Efforts by Gaines in the realm of diversity, equity, and inclusion reach back to when he was in his mid- to late 20s in Alabama and co-founded a monthly dialogue group for Black and Jewish youth to discuss issues related to stereotypes, bias, prejudice, and respect for diversity and inclusion. That effort – People Engaging in a Cultural Exchange – came to be known as PEACE Birmingham.
Gaines said the group continues to meet monthly and has expanded to include students from diverse backgrounds.
Before joining Touro, Gaines served as the Program Manager for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Kaiser Permanente in San Francisco. In this role, he co-led various committees, including the Equity Task Force, Equity Response Team, and the Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Committee. Gaines was instrumental in leading diversity training at the medical center, such as Microaggressions and Intersectionality Training, and provided consultation to EID providers and diversity leaders across Northern California.
Prior to his tenure at Kaiser Permanente, Gaines spent three years teaching English in Japan through the Japanese Exchange & Teaching program. He also worked as an Assistant Counselor for the Homewood Board of Education and was the Manager of Training and Development at INROADS, where he offered academic, career, and personal coaching to students.
A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Gaines earned his Doctorate in Psychology with a focus on Organizational Development from Alliant International University in Fresno. He also holds a Master of Arts in Industrial Organizational Psychology from the University of Alabama and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Montevallo.
Gaines’ temporary office is in Room 501 on the upper floor of Wilderman Hall. His permanent office and the new Social Justice Resource Center will be located in Truett Hall once the space is open to the campus community. He may be reached at mgaines@touro.edu.
Gaines came to TUC after a nationwide search.