About Us
DEIB Program at Rio Salado College
The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) program at Rio Salado College is dedicated to advancing access, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for historically underrepresented and marginalized learners. Through student-centered practices, employee development, community engagement and workshops and training, the DEIB program at Rio strives to create an inclusive campus environment where all individuals feel welcomed, valued, and affirmed.
DEIB Council
The DEIB Council oversees Rio Salado’s DEIB initiatives. The council is made up of members across the campus, faculty chairs, adjunct faculty, staff, and two active students to ensure student voices are heard. The council serves as an advisory body that continuously evaluates program effectiveness to provide recommendations, best practices and referrals for DEIB-related efforts. The DEIB Council is made up of a chair, domain groups and team leaders, embracing the practices of “Distributed Leadership Theory.” This theory states that leadership extends beyond traditional roles, emerging dynamically from interactions among individuals across an organization.
Join the Council
Get involved and make a difference! The DEIB Council meets monthly on the first Wednesday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. to review progress, share domain updates, address challenges, and identify opportunities for improvement. Council membership is open to all Rio Salado employees and students. New members interested in joining the council can contact the chair.
Meet Rio’s DEIB Chief Program Officer
Meet Rio’s DEIB Chief Program Officer
Reina Ferrufino (she/her/ella) is a seasoned DEIB leader, researcher, and social activist, committed to advancing equity and inclusion in higher education. Originally from Honduras, Reina moved to the U.S. at the age of 17 and was faced with many systemic barriers. Her high school counselor told her it would be impossible to graduate, but she responded with a silent, defiant smirk—embodying the no se deje spirit her parents had instilled in her. She proved him wrong, graduating on time, and continued her academic path at Rio Hondo Community College, where she found her voice. This journey eventually led her to UC Berkeley, where she graduated cum laude with a degree in Sociology.
Now, as a doctoral student, Reina’s research focuses on advocating for U.S. Central American students in Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). Drawing from her own experiences, she explores the systemic barriers these students face and seeks to inform policies that truly serve their academic, cultural, and social needs. Her work is driven by a deep commitment to educational equity and amplifying the voices of marginalized students.
With years of leadership experience, Reina has held roles in higher education that include managing Title V grants, leading IT projects, and spearheading Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) efforts. Today, she continues her mission to create inclusive educational spaces where all students can thrive and where faculty and staff feel they truly belong within higher education institutions. Outside of work, Reina enjoys spending meaningful time with her loved ones, dancing with joy, savoring her favorite chocolate treats, and traveling to immerse herself in different cultures, always eager to learn and connect with diverse communities.
