The Association of California College Administrators has given its annual Progress in Diversity Award to Dr. Rene Alvarez, San José City College’s Dean of Academic Success and Student Equity. The award honors the outstanding achievements of individuals and organizations in expanding the concept of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the broader higher education community.
“DEI means not just ensuring a variety of people have a seat at the table but making sure they have a voice too, and that voice is heard in the form of appropriate action,” Alvarez said. “Therefore, I listen more than speak. I ask questions. I pay attention to the answers. I provide a safe space for truth-telling. This openness reaps rewards.”
Since joining the SJCC community in 2021, Alvarez has led efforts to operationalize DEI by designing and integrating the SJCC Student Equity Framework and the SJCC Equity Rubric, developing the SJCC DEIAA Plan, designing and delivering the DEI professional development opportunities, and facilitating the SJCC Caring Campus initiative.
Alvarez’s commitment to DEI extends into the classroom and the community, having taught community college and university courses that explored the intersection of race in every critical function of the criminal justice system.
He also served as a commission member on the Social Justice, Race, and Equity Commission for the City of Brookhaven, GA. He reviewed the City’s Vision and Mission Statement and Charter, policies and procedures, public engagement and communication outreach, and the Brookhaven Police Department’s use of force policy, oversight, and accountability to identify, evaluate, and report potential recommendations to the City Council.
Alvarez is a member of the board of directors for the Bill Wilson Center, the largest philanthropic organization in San Jose dedicated to serving those experiencing homelessness.
