Mare Island Company Sponsors Diversity Scholarship

How does diversity contribute to the development of Mare Island?

The Mare Island Company is investing in a future that builds upon Mare Island’s past and present, creating new opportunity for all who live, work, visit and play here.  As we conceptualize how to imbue a sense of place across Mare Island, diversity is at the forefront.  One of the core values that has emerged from studying Mare Island is “inclusive prosperity”.  This means a commitment to furthering diversity, equity and inclusion.   Along with our reverence for the nature that defines this island, along with of course - the history and maker’s spirit, we want to create new neighborhoods that enable different types of individuals and families with a wide range of backgrounds, income levels in varied stages of life to feel welcome, connected and at home. In addition to offering multiple housing options, our vision is focused on supporting diversified neighborhoods that allow for many types and sizes of businesses, including industrial, office, makerspace, studios, retail, entertainment, food and beverage, hospitality. And of course, education and civic needs.

We are currently working on the Specific Plan for the island which studies all the elements needed to build a complete community and sets the pathway to tie it together holistically.

What is placemaking and how is it tied to diversity?

Placemaking is a multi-faceted approach to the planning, design and management of a space, with the intention of delivering quality places and curating unique experiences that promote people’s well-being, happiness and culture, where life in all senses can flourish.  Our goal is to create a place that thrives economically, is artistically stimulating, environmentally sound, and has a strong identity and sense of community.  To achieve this, diversity must be embraced.

The process of placemaking is a collaborative approach based on the idea that in order to create public places and spaces that give us a sense of belonging and community, they must be conceived and shaped in partnership with the people who use them.  Placemaking is not only architecture, and urban planning, roads, buildings, infrastructure, parks, plazas, “the hardware” – it is the “software’, the understanding of how people will live, interact, be, in a place.  It is all about the people, all people.  Our placemaking process is rooted in harnessing ideas and feedback directly from the community. We hold regular meetings with residents, neighbors, and stakeholders to understand how they envision the future of the island, how they want to live, work and play here. We know that engaging in extensive and ongoing community participation is key to the successful creation of a multicultural and diverse place.

Ultimately, we will weave it all together, allowing for a wide range of opportunities in places designed for people to thrive.

Why is it important to Mare Island Company to support the Mosaic diversity scholarship?

The Mare Island Company is very proud to be an ongoing supporter of Touro California. The Mosaic diversity scholarship, which ensures that students from a wide range of backgrounds are prepared for essential jobs in health sciences, public health, and education, is right in alignment with our values. The education these future professionals receive through the Mosaic scholarship not only transforms their own lives but lives in the communities they serve. We are privileged to have Touro as a partner to help create a diverse, welcoming, and thriving community on Mare Island.

Featured Sponsor Video

Watch Sheryl McKibben of Mare Island Company discuss why they partner with Touro University California.