Allison Dumas and Lott Hill, university leaders known for selfless dedication and always looking to help others, are the recipients of the 2020 University of the Pacific Champion of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Awards. 

The annual award recognizes staff members who have exemplified the university values of diversity, equity and inclusion in an exceptional manner through their work with and impact upon the Pacific community.

Dumas, associate vice president for student involvement and equity, and Hill, director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, were honored Nov. 5 at the Fall Employees Celebration, held virtually this year, and sponsored by Human Resources and the Staff Advisory Council. The awards are sponsored by the University Committee for Diversity Equity and Inclusion—of which Dumas and Hill are members.

Prior to Dumas’ promotion in 2019 to lead student involvement efforts, she was director of the Community Involvement Program, which provides educational opportunities and scholarships for first-generation college students from Stockton.

“Allison Dumas is the person I think of when I think of inclusive leadership. She has taught me almost everything I know about inclusivity, being congruent, leadership, and what it means to be an ally and show true support,” said Randi Holguin, president of Associated Students of the University of the Pacific.

“Allison has worked with the development office to secure more than $11 million in donations. These funds have supported CIP, LGBTQIA+, military and veterans and other programs,” said Breann Northcutt, director of budget and administration for the Division of Student Life. “She fights for students, and challenges her staff and colleagues to do better every day. She understands that not all students have the family support to navigate a university, or access support services, and is always willing to intervene and guide them to success.”

Hill joined Pacific in 2016 to lead the Central for Teaching and Learning. Hill and the CTL staff have consistently led faculty in embracing and integrating creative teaching strategies and have been especially crucial during the pandemic, helping faculty, staff and students adapt to remote instruction and learning and other challenges. 

“Under his leadership, inclusivity has become the driving ethos of the work of the CTL,” said Leslie Bayers, associate director of the CTL. “Lott has become known at Pacific as someone who should be in the room when questions around diversity and inclusion come up, whether as a discussion leader or participant, working group member, or informal advisor.

“Faculty and staff have turned to Lott for guidance as they seek to make their work, curricula, spaces, programming, meetings, teaching, interactions, and so forth more equitable and inclusive. He always asks who is and is not at the proverbial table, why, what that tells us about our processes, and what we can do about it—and he takes action to promote change. In sum, Lott Hill goes far beyond ‘talking the talk’ of diversity and inclusion; in multiple ways, from daily interactions to formal initiates, he is a true champion of diversity at Pacific.”