Aaron Bruce considers himself trans-cultural, someone who transcends the constraints of one culture.

“Through international travel and global experiences, I’ve been fortunate to see the world through someone else’s eyes, and that has certainly helped me grow personally and professionally,” said Bruce, the new director of diversity and equity at San Diego State University. “… You adopt different aspects of different cultures and weave them with the best of who you are; without taking away from who you are, it adds to who you are.”

Bruce, who will be responsible for campus-wide strategies related to diversity and strengthening the university’s connections to San Diego’s diverse local and global communities, was appointed to the post in June.

“I am excited to celebrate and strengthen the diversity San Diego State has,” he said. “I’m sure we’ll be able to continue the progress we’ve already made … it’s just a pleasure to be here.”

SDSU President Stephen Weber said he is thrilled to have Bruce on board.

“Aaron’s passion for global understanding and his diverse background make him uniquely qualified to serve as director of diversity,” Weber said in a statement. “San Diego State and our greater community will greatly benefit from Aaron’s breadth of experience both in higher education and in business worldwide.”

Bruce has completed study on a Ph.D. in education from the University of Rhode Island, has his master’s degree in business administration from the United States International University, and received his bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Michigan State University. Bruce assumed the role at SDSU June 30 after working as the director of multicultural affairs at Rhode Island College, where he developed policies and programming supporting underrepresented students, including racial and ethnic minorities, international students, women, students with disabilities and GLBT students. Prior to that, he worked in global marketing and consulting for companies in Mexico, Cuba and Kenya.

During his undergraduate studies at Michigan State, Bruce saw underrepresented communities become part of the university’s landscape. The campus had a strong gay/straight alliance, and the office of student affairs had an ally living in every residence hall.

In terms of the GLBT community at SDSU, Bruce said it is a priority to create a campus environment that supports children of same-sex parents, and welcomes GLBT and questioning students.

“We’re at a point where a generation of gay couples is sending children off to colleges and universities, and when they make the decision where to send their children, they want to send them somewhere their family structure is appreciated and welcomed; we’d like to be that campus,” Bruce said.

Bruce also said the campus will continue to actively market SDSU to, and recruit, GLBT students.

Bruce said SDSU has been proactive about building relationships with diverse communities; for example, he said, the campus hosted a kickoff event for San Diego LGBT Pride month, and is working on a number of initiatives regarding diverse communities. In March, the campus added gender identity and gender expression to its protected classes in anti-discrimination policies. It has also launched a Safe Zones program to identify a network of allies to assist GLBTQ students, members of administration, staff and faculty. The university is also creating a LGBT Studies minor and courses in GLBT history.

“Some of the great things being done weren’t made known because the office [of diversity and equity] was vacant for a bit, so there was a skewed perception about what was happening on campus,” Bruce said.

The campus faced scrutiny during the school year when a comment in a student-run newspaper called fraternity and sorority coordinator Doug Case a “flaming fag.” After a Stop the Hate rally in December, a student who attended the rally was attacked by someone who called her a “faggot lover” before fleeing.

Ben Cartwright, the government executive assistant to the associated students at SDSU, met with Bruce to discuss the GLBT campus initiatives, including proposals for a LGBT Resource Center and the LGBT Studies minor.

“The office has a history of not working with our community, or any community, and of focusing on personnel or legal issues,” Cartwright said. “He seems more interested and more proactive in getting involved with various diverse communities, collaborating and connecting with them … I am optimistic [about working with Bruce]. He initiated the meeting with me, and seems like someone who wants to work together.”

Cartwright said Bruce also gave constructive feedback.

“He encouraged us to work with allies in other underrepresented communities,” Cartwright said. “Sometimes we forget to forge those relationships because we become so busy and so overwhelmed with our focus, but it is important to incorporate their voices.”

Bruce said he is interested in being an active ally for the GLBT community at SDSU and in San Diego.

“You’re going to see me at more than just Pride,” he said. “Pride is a time of year when everyone wants to show their support, but the real work gets done long before, and really, all year long.”