12 Apr 2023
Jose Soto, ’84, vice president for Access, Equity and Diversity at Southeast Community College (SCC), received the Diversity Leadership Alumni Award at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Awards ceremony on April 10.
The award is designed for a UNL graduate who encompasses the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice through their practices and principles. This could be through a profession, engagement with UNL, or civic engagement.
Interim Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Professor of the Law Library Stefanie Pearlman said Soto has been a fierce advocate in his role at SCC and on the Nebraska Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission.
“Jose is a strong voice on the Commission, encouraging us to constantly move forward with actions designed to make the courts more accessible to all Nebraskans,” she said.
Assistant Dean for Student Development Molly Brummond, ’03, said that Soto’s commitment to these principles permeates every aspect of his life. Soto is a founding member of the 2044 Board (now titled the Dean’s Advisory Board) at the College of Law, created to focus efforts on increasing the diversity of the college’s community and its approach to legal education.
“By lending his time and talent to efforts aimed at increasing access to justice, Jose provides thought leadership that results in Nebraskans of all backgrounds having access to our legal representation and resources,” she said.