2024 DEIJ Excellence Award

DEIJ Excellence Awards

DEIJ Excellence Award Crieria

Nominees for the award should be engaged in meaningful diversity activities beyond their primary responsibilities at the college. Nominees may demonstrate this commitment and impact in a variety of areas, for example: student-centered or trainee-centered equity and inclusion initiatives; efforts to support the recruitment, retention and development of faculty, staff, and/or students from historically underrepresented groups; teaching, research, and/or service that embraces, fosters and expands and our understanding of equity and inclusion; multicultural programming or related initiatives; community outreach activities; or other activities.   

  • Be an advocate who speaks out against insensitivity and prejudice 
  • Provide services, programs and/or initiatives that ensure an inclusive community that affirms diverse perspectives. 
  • Evidence of exceptional efforts to promote a socially just, equitable, and transformative environment at OCC  
  • Creates a positive climate on campus 
  • Strengthens awareness, expanded education or improved resources for underserved communities at OCC. Promotes cultural competency through programming or education efforts to foster dialogue and collaboration across difference 
  • Works to help students, colleagues, etc. advocate for self or others, to elevate voices.  
  • Nomination deadline March 22 at 5 pm

Submit your Nominee today!

Nominees for the award are engaged in meaningful diversity activities beyond their primary responsibilities at the College. They can be an advocate who speaks out against insensitivity and prejudice or continually envisions new ways of inclusion for all. View a list of past recipients.

Inaugural College-wide DEIJ Empowerment Summit 

​​​​​​​Topics ranged from the significance of DEIJ initiatives in the overall College strategic plan to a review of accomplishments since the launch of the DEIJ office in 2021. The Annual DEIJ Empowerment Summit  highlights collaborations within the college of the work being done to advance diversity, equity, inclusion and justice as well as opportunities for the entire college community to engage in this work through education and change.

“This summit reflects our commitment to providing meaningful and transformative change, in a time unlike any other,” said Provenzano. “I am very proud of the work of our Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice and how, together, we are increasing our understanding and awareness and taking action, with a great deal of work that lies ahead.”

A video reflecting on DEIJ at OCC was also unveiled during the annual Summit. The Summit have closed with inspiring keynote presentation from individuals such as Bamby Salcedo, a prominent transgender Latina activist and President & Chief Executive Officer of TransLatin@ Coalition and Loretta Ross, an academic and activist who has dedicated many years to advocating for women's rights and reproductive justice.

List of DEIJ Excellence Award:

  • 2023 - Sandra Harrold-Foster
  • 2022 - Michael Vollbach
  • 2021 - Beverly Stanbrough
  • 2020 - William Konkolesky
  • 2019 - Dr. Kim Davis
  • 2018 - Pamela Micallef
  • 2017 - Allison McFadden-Keesling
  • 2016 - Dr. Rosalind Reaves
  • 2015 - Nadja Springer-Ali
  • 2014 - Stacey Jackson
  • 2013 - Michelle Fether-Samtouni
  • 2012 - Sally Hanna
  • 2011 - Kelli Van Buren
  • 2010 - Pamela Dorris
  • 2009 - Eric Abbey
  • 2008 - Dr. Jacqueline Shadko
  • 2007 - Beverly Stanborough
  • 2006 - Lloyd Crews, Letyna Roberts
  • 2005 - Douglas Riddering
  • 2004 - Candy Geeter, Wanda Pernell-Harris, Dr. Maurice McCall, Richard L. Burt-Willson
  • 2003 - Nancy Nicholson, Rocio Oxholm-Flores, Elise Roman, Diana Schack
  • 2002 - JuliAnne Diesch
  • 2001 - Imagene Bailey
  • 2000 - Arlene Frank
  • 1999 - Dr. Martha Smydra