Fielding Graduate University Proudly Supports the Pacific Pride Festival 2023

Fielding at Pride 2023!

It is always a beautiful experience to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride in Santa Barbara.  So pleased that among all the community supporters, there was a Fielding table with wonderful representatives. — Anna DiStefano, Ed.D., Provost Emerita

Fielding Graduate University supported the 2023 Pacific Pride Festival, “Pride at the Beach,”  with a sponsor booth. The festival took place this past weekend on Saturday, August 26, 2023, in Chase Palm Park along the beautiful Santa Barbara coastline. The annual event celebrates the LGBTQ+ local, national, and worldwide communities. This year’s “Pride at the Beach” event had a particular focus on Belonging and Access, two shared values of Fielding Graduate University.

Fielding’s participation in the Pride event was organized by Erica Fichter, Director of Admissions, and included many Fielding staff volunteers, students, and alumni.

PRIDE = JOY! We need to bring, feel, and see the love more than ever now. SB Pride was political, cultural, social, eye-opening, fun and affirming! What I loved most about being there was feeling fully connected to everyone else. No Them; everyone Us. — Fielding alum Cheri Gurse, Ph.D. (Human Development 2013).

The day featured a full line up of live entertainment including headliner, Calypso Jeté Balmain, accomplished entertainer and Mother for the House of Balmain. Throughout the day there were mini events happening around the festival grounds. Food trucks on hand, as well as a vibrant beer garden. This year’s festival also included an exciting sober space aptly named, “Sparkletown” featuring silent disco!

The “Pride at the Beach” was an all-day event packed with live entertainment, delicious food, education, and family-friendly activities. More than 30 community organizations participated and thousands were in attendance. It was a great day of community, sharing, and celebrating!

To learn more about the Pacific Pride Foundation and the Pacific Pride Festival, please visit their website at https://pacificpridefoundation.org.

Fielding President Katrina S. Rogers, Ph.D., and Director of Admissions, Erica Fichter, MBA, at the Pacific Pride Festival Fielding Booth, Saturday, August 26, 2023.