Diablo Valley College professor Amer Araim was honored early November with an award
from the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County (ICCCC). Dr. Araim has been active with ICCCC as far back as 2001, when he spoke
at an ICCCC event after September 11, on behalf of the Muslim community, to condemn
terrorism.
ICCCC, as the Council of Churches, became interfaith in 1997, widening its membership
to include congregations and faith organizations that represent the growing, diverse
population of Contra Costa County. On November 10, 2019, ICCCC presented Dr. Araim
with an award for making a difference with his work for the faith community.
The award also recognizes his leadership on ICCCC’s council and executive committee, his teaching in the community about Islam and interfaith leadership as well as his many years at DVC leading the Model UN program. ICCCC and Dr. Araim, together, are committed to supporting the religious communities in Contra Costa County. Learn more about Dr. Araim.
Nicole Zapata majored in Political Science at DVC and graduated from Loyola Marymount
University with a B.A. in Political Science. Nicole returns to her home in Contra
Costa County as a community organizer with the East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable
Economy (EBASE), helping build a strong movement of immigrants, tenants and low-wage
workers in the suburbs. Prior to EBASE, she interned at UNITE HERE Local 2850 as an
organizer fighting to win respect, dignity and good jobs for food service workers
in the East and North Bay. She also worked with UNITE HERE Local 19 organizing tech
cafeteria workers in the Silicon Valley. Outside of work, Nicole is a street drummer
with Boomshake Music, a community program run by a collective of artists making music
for creative expression, cultural survival and social change.
Diablo Valley College is pleased to announce Jessica Cisneros, the 2017-2018 student
member of the Contra Costa Community College District board of trustees, has been
elected to the statewide California Community College Trustees Board. She will work
to provide statewide policy direction on education, research initiatives, publications,
workshops and conferences.
Jessica is currently a political science major at DVC and is preparing to transfer to either UC Davis or UCLA. She is a member of the Latino Student Alliance, the Veterans Alliance, the Women’s Empowerment Club, the business fraternity Phi Beta Lambda, DVC Diversity Committee, and the Puente Project.
We congratulate Jessica on her achievements and thank her for representing not only DVC students, but all community college students across the state of California.