Original post date: April 25, 2018
Jeffery Opaleye
Sociology, Diversity and Inclusion, Committee Co-Chair
Jeffrey Opaleye received the Diversity Award with the Graduate and Professional Student Council. He serves as a co-chair Diversity and Inclusion committee member on the Texas A&M University Graduate and Professional Student Council (GPSC). As an organization, the GPSC have successfully executed a variety of tasks pertaining to Diversity and Inclusion to advance the campus climate of Texas A&M University and educated members of the student body on issues including but not limited to age, background, citizenship, disability, education, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and work experience.
During the 2017-2018 academic year, the GPSC have successfully passed 14 resolutions including: Resolution in Support of DACA Students, Resolution in Support of Student Counseling Service hiring request for a Professional Counselor 1- Distance Counseling through SAFAB, Resolution in support of Disability Services hiring request for a Graduate Assistant through SAFAB funding, A Resolution including Texas A&M University Women in Science and Engineering association as a non-departmental voting organization of the Graduate and Professional Student Council General Assembly, and Resolution to support the Matthew Gaines Statue Commemoration.
While serving as co-chair of Diversity and Inclusion for the GPSC, they have successfully hosted two events: Diversity Meet and Greet and an Interdisciplinary Dinner, where students and faculty have the opportunity to network with individuals outside of their departments and to engage in a non-judgmental and secure environment where individuals of diverse backgrounds are allowed to express their cultures and traditions as well as their ideas about various issues surrounding diversity and inclusion.