Meet Leslie Garcia, Diversity Advisory Council Co-Chair

I’m passionate about diversity both in my personal and professional life – they go hand in hand.”

Leslie Garcia, M.P.A.
Vice Provost for Diversity & Director
Center for Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, OHSU

Leslie attended Eastern Washington University, where she earned her B.A. in International Affairs and Foreign Languages and earned her Masters in Public Administration from Portland State University.  She is very interested in diverse cultures and populations and enjoys history, art, and travel. Through the course of her career she has received various trainings in diversity and cultural competency, and she keeps current on literature and research devoted to diversity. Leslie has been at OHSU intermittently since 1991 and serves as the Vice Provost for Diversity & Multicultural Affairs at the Center for Diversity and Multicultural Affairs (CeDMA).

Leslie enjoys the outreach component of her work in meeting a variety of individuals and organizations to advance the mission of diversity and inclusion.  Her job is to increase information, access, partnerships, and build community and opportunity. She also provides support and resources to the OHSU community with multiple needs within the missions. Knowing that she is making a difference in the lives of others by providing support services, programs, and assisting with intercultural communication to bring people together is Leslie’s favorite aspect of her work. “As the director of CeDMA, I lead the charge with an amazing staff to promote and provide resources with the goal to integrate understanding and acceptance in the value and contributions that each one brings to the institution while meeting its mission.”