Contact: Ralph Newell
Phone: 703.385.2419
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Keith Curry to receive the 2024 Diverse Champions Award
FAIRFAX, Va. — Diverse: Issues In Higher Education is pleased to announce that Dr. Keith Curry will be this year’s recipient of the Diverse Champions Award.
Curry is the president and CEO of the Compton College and Compton Community College District (CCCD). Compton College is the 114th California Community College, achieving initial accreditation status on June 7, 2017. Curry is responsible for overseeing all departments and functions of Compton College and Compton District and serves as secretary for the CCCD Board of Trustees. He brings an abundance of energy and innovative ideas to Compton College, along with a wealth of experience as a postsecondary education administrator.
Curry firmly believes that every person should be able to access an affordable college education. For many years, he has tirelessly advocated and lobbied at California’s state capital for policy and resources related to increased student equity, as well as assistance with basic needs for community college students.
In June 2022, Curry helped secure a state-funded $80 million grant to construct future student housing at Compton College. To address food insecurity, Compton College offers a food pantry on campus, a monthly mobile food pantry, a weekly Certified Farmers’ Market with students receiving $20 in vouchers to spend at the market, and one free meal per day for enrolled students at the on-campus Everytable Café.Curry is the recipient of several leadership awards and has presented at many conferences, workshops, ceremonies, and symposia. His areas of expertise include preparing students for higher education, guided pathways, bridging the digital divide, establishing partnerships among postsecondary institutions, and ensuring access for all students.
Curry earned his doctorate in educational leadership from the University of California, Irvine, and a bachelor’s degree in American studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
