Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) President Jerry Steward has been selected to receive the 2016 INSIGHT into Diversity Giving Back Award. This is the only award that honors presidents and chancellors of colleges and universities who go above and beyond their everyday leadership duties and give back to their campuses and communities.
President Steward has been selected for his outstanding demonstration of social responsibility, a commitment to charitable services, and involvement with students, faculty and staff to serve underrepresented populations at OCCC and in the Oklahoma City community. He is one of only four community college presidents selected nationwide and one of only two Oklahoma college presidents selected.
“Although I am honored to receive this award,” President Steward said, “I truly believe we are doing what is right. At Oklahoma City Community College, we embrace and value diversity, and I am proud of the steps we’ve taken on campus and within the community to promote diversity and inclusion.”
President Steward has always shown a dedication to diversity in his work. Most recently, under his leadership, the Students Connecting with Mentors for Success (SCMS) program launched in January. It connects students with local community members who will mentor them as they attain their certificate or degree at OCCC and then enter the workforce or transfer to a four-year college. The program brought together a diverse group of community members and students to build solid partnerships among underrepresented students and community members.
President Steward will be recognized in the upcoming April 2016 “Leadership Support and Giving Back” issue of INSIGHT into Diversity magazine, the largest diversity and inclusion magazine and website in higher education, with a print and online readership of nearly 200,000. The issue will publish March 15 online and March 22 in print.
OCCC enrolls more than 20,000 students and has more than 90,000 participants in its various community programs annually. OCCC offers a full range of associate degree programs that prepare students to transfer to baccalaureate institutions while other degree and certificate programs prepare students for immediate employment. At OCCC, students receive a quality education with small class sizes, dedicated professors and leadership opportunities. Students can choose from more than 80 major fields of study and participate in any of the 40+ clubs and organizations. For more information about OCCC, visit www.occc.edu.
