Date:

October 22, 2003

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 441-7831

Sandy Moody, Human Rights Comm., 441-7625, TDD 441- 8398

Mayor Coleen J. Seng today presented the fourth annual Human Rights Award to José Soto and the staff of the Affirmative Action/Equity/Diversity Division of Southeast Community College (SCC). The award recognizes outstanding achievements in furthering human relations in Lincoln. The award is presented by the Lincoln Commission on Human Rights and the City of Lincoln

“As Vice President of the Division, José has planned, developed and implemented a comprehensive program for SCC on affirmative action, equal employment opportunity and diversity,” said Mayor Seng. “As a result of the work by José and his staff, SCC has a unique approach to diversity-related activities that reflects a serious commitment to making diversity an integral part of the institution.”

The nomination of Soto and his Division includes the following accomplishments:

• SCC employees have dedicated more than 23,000 hours to participation in diversity education.
• SCC has sponsored or co-sponsored more than 50 diversity-related community events in the community.
• SCC has collaborated with most major educational, governmental and business entities in the City to promote and support diversity.
• Soto has coordinated and implemented efforts in the areas of policy development; training; recruitment and retention of employees; investigation of discrimination and unfair treatment complaints as well as ongoing management training and organizational development activities.

Previous winners of the Human Rights award were in 2002, Rev. Dr. Norman Leach, Executive Director, Lincoln Interfaith Council; 2001, Cecilia Olivarez Huerta, Executive Director, Mexican-American Commission; and 2000, Dan Williams, President, Citizens Against Racism and Discrimination.