Pacific leaders serve Stockton, Sacramento and Bay Area communities

Oct 10, 2022

First Lady Jean Callahan with fellow Miracle Mile Improvement District members

First Lady Jean Callahan has worked on projects with fellow Miracle Mile Improvement District members Lisa Whirlow (left) and Tina Wells Lee (right).

University of the Pacific, the nationally ranked university with campuses in Sacramento, San Francisco and Stockton, plays key roles in helping to serve the educational, health care, cultural and economic needs of all three communities.

“We believe Pacific plays a vital role in the future of these three vibrant cities and regions,” said Pacific President Christopher Callahan. “That is why Pacific executives serve on dozens of boards throughout northern California, helping the educational, health, cultural and economic vitality of our communities.”

The president serves on the boards of the Business Council of San Joaquin and Sacramento-based Valley Vision.

Nader Nadershahi, dean of the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry and San Francisco Campus Provost, helps strengthen Bay Area bonds as a board member of two influential organizations: the Bay Area Council and San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.

“We ask our students, residents and graduates to be leaders–to help shape the future of our profession and society,” Nadershahi said. “It is important for us to walk the talk and inspire others through our work and personal examples of leadership. In serving our local, state and national communities, we also bring back many benefits to the people and programs at the Dugoni School of Dentistry and Pacific more broadly.”

First Lady Jean Callahan also is active with membership on the Miracle Mile Improvement District and San Joaquin Community Foundation. Her work with the Miracle Mile—a historic district just south of Pacific’s Stockton Campus—has helped strengthen the bond between The Mile and university.

“There are so many great opportunities for collaboration and partnerships between the university and the Stockton community,” Jean Callahan said. “This work enhances offerings for our students and employees.”

Mary Lomax-Ghirarduzzi, vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, is a board member of iHub San Joaquin, which brings together technology leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and educational institutions through a variety of programs and initiatives in the areas of health care, agri-business and sustainable construction technology. She also is a commissioner for the San Francisco Public Library Commission and a board member on the San Francisco Interfaith Council.

“University leaders must also be community leaders,” she said.

Other Pacific senior leaders serving the community are:

Maria Pallavicini, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs