By Bren Belmonte, September 8, 2026
Tucked away on the second floor of Building 1, room 2-214, the smell of scented candles drifts through an open-floor space filled with plush seating, conversation, affirmation prints and snacks.
Currently in its soft opening, the Office of Community and Belonging welcomes diverse values, perspectives, races, ethnicities and community, according to Jonathan Grady, interim senior associate vice president of community and belonging.
Community and belonging are aspects President Vanya Quiñones wants to elevate on campus by establishing Grady as cabinet senior associate and an office “built with our community,” according to leadership updates from July 16.
“This office is really a catalyst for bringing people together to celebrate who we serve, who we are, what we value, and knowing that we have a very diverse student body,” Grady said.
The Office of Community and Belonging replaced the Office of Conflict Resolution and Ombuds, which closed operations in spring 2026. At the time of the release of this article, there are no advancements to bring it back, according to a previous Poly Post report.
Resources provided by the Community and Belonging Office range from culture of care workshops to, working with student clubs and organizations. Culture of care workshops cover topics such as navigating micro-aggressions in the classroom and other communication scenarios, according to Grady.
Working with Grady and sharing the same passion for community and belonging as they build the foundation of the center, Joel Gutierrez serves as the executive director of student retention initiatives and support.
Grady hopes the center will be fully refurbished by October after Quiñones’ 100-day celebration for students. He hopes that the center can be a place for students to come and speak about their lives and experiences on campus, no matter if they are challenging, troubling or successful.
The center will open opportunities for students to become interns. Hires are required to amplify student voices and help build the vision of the space, according to Grady.
Gutierrez said one of the intern positions will oversee the center’s online presence, including managing the website and communications.
“(Our office will) help, be of service, provide the knowledge, skills and resources,” Gutierrez said. “The connection (is) not just with people, but with organizations, departments, institutions and initiatives that we do.”
The office will develop partnerships with Cal Poly Pomona’s cultural, identity centers and strategic communications to have identity celebrations every month, according to Gutierrez.
Monthly communications from the Office of the President note student services, gatherings of facilitated dialogue, speakers, heritage month and identity celebrations such as the Centers for Transformation, Retention, Equity and Empowerment Block Party, according to an email sent Sept. 1.
“All of the centers are here to build community with people because we want to make sure everyone is included,” said Gabriela Ramirez, a Wxmens Resource Center community empowerment ambassador.
Grady and Gutierrez said they work together to build a “culture of care,” a core value for the two. They define it as creating a community-driven environment where every Bronco deserves to thrive in a community-driven environment , which the office intends to cultivate.
“I am dedicating my life to helping others find their joy; helping others find whatever community brings them a sense of peace and clarity,” Grady said. “I feel like my entire career has led to this moment.”
In the coming months, the office will host an open house along with community events, efforts, programs and celebrations of diversity, according to Grady.
“I’m excited to collab with the center because our centers are focused on community and giving resources to students,” Ramirez said. “The more we have, the more students can grow and thrive.”
Grady said moving forward, the office will cultivate a social media presence and continue to work with clubs, organizations, deans and colleges.
Three institutional working groups will be incorporated into the office: community and belonging, health and wellness and bringing together the CPP community to recognize diverse voices, according to Grady.
“Every Bronco here deserves to learn, do and become and to thrive in their own experience and in their own journey of what that means here at Cal Poly Pomona,” Gutierrez said.
