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Eight Centers. One Goal. Distinct Approach.

The Centers for Equity, Community, and Leadership is a unit in Student Affairs comprised of eight Centers on campus.

Our mission is grounded in values of justice, equity, and belonging at Stanford and beyond.  As educators, advocates, and thought leaders, we empower students to be bold collaborators and innovative leaders preparing them to navigate a complex world.

Learn more about the Centers

Announcement

Dear Stanford Community,

Shonté Thomas has served as the Assistant Vice Provost Inclusion and Community and Executive Director of the Equity, Community, and Leadership Centers since August 2023. In this role, she directly supports the Centers for Equity, Community, & Leadership, offering intentional cultivation of community through collaborations, direct mentorship, student advocacy, and supporting the production of innovative and comprehensive events and programming. As a scholar practitioner, she bridges theory to practice using skills and an assets-based equity approach, learning from the mistakes of the past, and incorporating campus partners to provide strategic leadership. Her passion and investment in liberatory, equitable diversity work is personal, and she strives daily to create a much-improved ecosystem for all, with specific interest for students with minoritized identities. Fun facts? Sure! Shonté deeply connects with horror and rom com movie genres, loves to dance (like nobody is watching!), and is a fur momma to a senior pup. She graduated from UC Santa Cruz, with a BA in Politics and minor in Education, earned her MA in Education (with a specialization in teaching) from Pepperdine University, and is currently working towards earning her doctorate from UC Davis. Shonté loves working in higher education and is excited to serve alongside Stanford’s students, staff, and faculty. 

Best regards,

Shonté Thomas  (she/her/they) Assistant Vice Provost for Inclusion, Community, and Executive Director for ECL

Stanford University 

shontet@stanford.edu