OCC’s annual Diversity Excellence Award are advocates who speak out against insensitivity and prejudice or continually envision new ways of inclusion for all.
Alicia Paramo-Dionne is viewed by her OCC colleagues as someone who helps create a safe and welcoming space for students. With each interaction, she encourages them to be themselves; express their own ideas and concerns; and, of course, succeed. Above all, Paramo-Dionne is known to embody respect and integrity for all.
For these reasons and more, Counselor and Adjunct Faculty member Paramo-Dionne has been honored as the 2024 Diversity Excellence Award recipient at Oakland Community College.
“Diversity Champion” renamed “Diversity Excellence Award”
Paramo-Dionne has joined a long list of honorees recognized by OCC each year since 1999. Previous recipients have been commended for their dedication to prioritizing DEIJ issues, commitment to students and colleagues, and leadership during times of change and uncertainty.
“It is important to me that OCC is an equitable and inclusive workplace, where we celebrate our diversity beyond tolerance,” Paramo-Dionne said. “I was raised to listen, learn about and accept others through dialogue with a goal of understanding the path they have and will walk. Receiving this award makes my efforts and endeavors feel seen and accepted.”
Along her professional path, Paramo-Dionne has been instrumental in leading OCC’s Hispanic Heritage Month committee, worked on different projects with the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) and served on the DEIJ Academics Advisory Committee, said Kristina Marshall, OCC’s director of DEIJ.
Paramo-Dionne also is involved in organizing and leading work that uplifts underserved communities with a focus on higher education and Latino youth. Currently, she serves on the board of ZAFRA, a disaster relief/humanitarian support non-profit organization that brings assistance and pride back to the southern side of Puerto Rico.
She started at OCC in Student Activities in 1992 and two years later became an OCC counselor. In addition, she has worked as adjunct psychology faculty for seven years.
OCC’s annual DEIJ Empowerment Summit
OCC’s 2024 DEIJ Excellence Award recipient was announced at the third annual DEIJ Empowerment Summit on Friday, April 12. The summit was hosted by the College’s Office of DEIJ and included Marshall, Chancellor Peter Provenzano and Vice Chancellor for Human Resources and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Andre’ Poplar.
Summit participants heard from keynote speaker Leah C. Georges, an associate professor at Creighton University. Her research and consulting centers around the myth of generational war in the workplace. Her research has been cited in Forbes magazine, and her Ted Talk about ‘how generational stereotypes hold us back at work’ has been translated into 18 languages.
About OCC
Oakland Community College offers nearly 100 degrees and certificates programs with the resources students need to be successful and advance our community. As a top transfer institution, OCC offers one of the state’s most affordable tuition rates and flexibility in scheduling with face-to-face and online options. The College is nationally recognized for its high-demand career training with expert faculty in their fields. More than 1 million students have enrolled in the College since it opened in 1965. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu.
###
Media Contact: Marketing & Communications | (248) 341-2020 | contactus@oaklandcc.edu