Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Bestows Education Award on University of La Verne’s President Lieberman
The Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (OCHCC) presented President Devorah Lieberman of the University of La Verne with its Dr. Juan Francisco Lara Education Award on November 20 during the organization’s Estrella Awards. The event was held at the Disneyland Hotel.
The award recognizes “an individual or organization that has demonstrated commitment to the Hispanic community through the support, advancement, and education of Hispanic youth, small business, and corporate partnerships to promote long-term academic and/or professional success,” the OCHCC explains on its website.
“I am humbled to receive this award from an organization supporting and advancing the Hispanic business and educational community throughout Orange County,” said Lieberman. “The award honors the legacy of a man who had an outsized impact on students in Southern California. My colleagues in higher education and I are striving to continue the efforts to which he devoted his life.”
The University of La Verne “is proud to be formally designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution,” Lieberman continued. “This year, 57% of our students identify as Hispanic/Latinx. In California, more than half of those under age 18 are Hispanic/Latinx. I believe that students who graduate from the University of La Verne are the future leaders in our region”.”
The university has been awarded three federal grants totaling nearly $10 million to better serve its students, including those who are Hispanic/Latinx. “We are expanding career pathways, partnerships, and internships; training and supporting faculty; improving financial literacy for students; and increasing Hispanic/Latinx students’ degree completion in science, technology, and math majors,” said Lieberman.
“The Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors would like to thank Dr. Devorah Lieberman for her leadership of the University of La Verne and the impact she has had in serving the Hispanic community,” said Reuben Franco, the OCHCC president and CEO.
