Gina-Marie DiPierro ’13 is passionate about helping others and collaborating with the people in her community. As the assistant director of Whittier’s Center for Engagement with Communities (CEC), she is able to do that every day.
Recently, DiPierro was recognized for her efforts by the Whittier Schools Administrators Association with the Community Service Award.
“It’s very heartfelt,” said DiPierro about receiving the award. “It comes full circle for me because I did a lot of community service work while I was a student at Whittier.”
In her role, DiPierro has development a mentor program for middle school students and their parents to help prepare them early for the academic, emotional, and financial challenges of college. It was piloted at two local schools and, due to its success, will be expanded to a third campus.
“With the conviction that individual well-being is tied to the strength of communities, Gina tirelessly promotes life-long learning and civic engagement,” said Kristin Wiberg, executive assistant to the President, during the award ceremony. “Though she is seen as a role model to scores of college, high school, and middle students, she is truly an inspiration to us all.”
The association, which oversees seven Whittier school districts, honors one individual in each district every year.
Originally from New Jersey, DiPierro graduated from Whittier with a major in sociology of sports under the Whittier Scholars Program, and earned a Master’s degree in sports management from the University of San Francisco.
Past recipients of the award include, Professor Joyce Kaufman and Professor Kathy Barlow.
