Ernesto Santos-DeJesus, director of diversity initiatives at University of Maryland University College (UMUC), has received the 2008 President’s Award from the American Association for Affirmative Action (AAAA). Santos-DeJesus was one of two recipients of this year’s award at the 34th Annual Conference of AAAA, a national nonprofit organization of professionals managing affirmative action, equal opportunity, diversity and other human resource programs.
“As a diversity pioneer, Ernesto has been instrumental in promoting access to diversity programs for UMUC and its community,” said Dr. Susan Aldridge, president of UMUC. “His efforts and programs have helped make our university an international model for the lively exchange of divergent ideas and perspectives.”
Santos-DeJesus received this year’s President’s Award for his exceptional service contributions to the association. A member of the AAAA for more than 10 years, Santos-DeJesus has assisted with the planning of several regional conferences and served as co-chair of the planning committee for this year’s national conference. Additionally, Santos-DeJesus provided infrastructure for committee meetings and conference calls and helped implement a sponsorship-telethon.
As director of the Office of Diversity Initiatives, Santos-DeJesus leads several of the university’s diversity programs including its “Meet the Ambassador” and “Heritage Month” series, bringing global issues to the spotlight and promoting cultural awareness among students, staff and the community.
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