Mission

The Pride Center provides education, advocacy, support and a safe space for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, questioning (LGBTIQQ) and ally community at Cal Poly Pomona.  The Pride Center serves the campus community through promoting empowerment and social justice on topics of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Goals

• Develop a greater sense of community at Cal Poly Pomona
• Raise social consciousness and cultural awareness
• Provide opportunities for leadership, academic and personal development
• Increase collaborative efforts among faculty, staff and students
• Develop and cultivate relationships with surrounding schools and community agencies
• Increase student retention and success through programs and services

Staffing

The Pride Center has 1 full-time Coordinator, and 4-5 student assistants. 

History

During the early 1990’s, Cal Poly Pomona underwent a cultural and institutional shift that sparked a renewed sense of activism, particularly with students of color.  Influenced by the cultural politics of the time, students began to ask for more supportive services that reflected and affirmed their identity.  Soon after began a long process of opening a new multicultural center at Cal Poly Pomona.  With students of color and allies leading the fight, a planning committee was formed and the vision of a cultural center began to crystallize.  Unfortunately, the original planning did not include a space for the gay and lesbian group (GALA).  A few students questioned this and several of them demanded to speak with project leaders in administration, including former VP for Student Affairs, Dr. Awakuni.  After numerous meetings the project leaders decided to include a small space for a gay and lesbian resource center that would be connected to the ReEntry & Women’s Resource Center (formerly The Center).  

Jonnie Owens, advisor to GALA, volunteered her time to coordinate the gay & lesbian resource center while other centers were assigned half-time appointed coordinators.  After some initial growth that included new student assistants, the center officially opened in spring 1995 as the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Student Resource Center.  After some consideration, the center was re-named The Pride Center.  In 1997, Jonnie Owens was appointed as full-time coordinator of the Pride Center which also marked the first full-time position for a LGBT resource center in the California State University system.  

In February 2004, Jonnie Owens accepted a new position on campus, and Reyes Luna took over as Interim Coordinator until fall of that year.  Fernando Estrada was hired full-time as Coordinator in September 2004.  In October 2008, Jami Grosser took over as the Coordinator of the Pride Center.  Today the Pride Center is one of 6 Cultural Centers within the Office of Student Life and Cultural Centers.  It continues to run with the tireless commitment from student assistants and volunteers.