Emeritus Status

Thank you for your many years of service to Oakland Community College. Recently retired full-time faculty members are eligible to apply for emeritus status in recognition of their commitment and service to the College. We invite eligible faculty to apply for this designation.

Emeritus status recognizes not only a distinguished history of service to Oakland Community College but also an enduring connection to the College. Upon receiving this honor, emeriti are encouraged to explore opportunities for continued involvement that aligns with their interests, expertise, and availability. Through their ongoing engagement, emeriti can share their knowledge and experience while continuing to enrich the OCC community.

Emeritus Engagement

Emeriti are valued members of the Oakland Community College community whose experience, knowledge, and continued involvement enrich the life of the College. Through ongoing connection with OCC, emeritus faculty may attend College and emeritus events, mentor faculty or students, share their professional expertise, participate in special projects or initiatives, and contribute to the College community in other meaningful ways.

Emeritus status reflects not only a distinguished history of service to OCC, but also an ongoing relationship with the College. Upon receiving this honorific, emeriti are encouraged to identify opportunities for involvement that align with their interests, expertise, and availability, helping to ensure that their experience and connection to OCC continue to benefit the College community.

The Emeritus Experience

Emeritus status is a lasting recognition of a faculty member’s contributions and service to Oakland Community College. Those receiving the distinction become part of OCC’s emeritus community and are formally recognized and celebrated by the College.

Beyond recognition, emeritus status provides an opportunity to maintain a meaningful connection with OCC after retirement. Emeritus faculty remain part of the College community, with opportunities to stay connected with colleagues, participate in College and emeritus activities, share their experience and expertise, and continue contributing to the institution they helped shape.

Most importantly, emeritus status honors a faculty member’s legacy at OCC—recognizing that retirement marks a new chapter in their relationship with the College rather than the end of it.

Selection Committee

Oakland Community College's Emeritus Selection Committee was established to oversee and support the process of recognizing outstanding retired faculty through the designation of Emeritus status.

Thank you for helping us celebrate the legacy, impact, and ongoing commitment of our retired faculty.

 

Emeritus Status Criteria for Consideration

The activities below represent examples of service that may be considered by the committee. Applicants are not expected to demonstrate service in every area.

Service to the Institution

• Evidence of a sustained career of teaching, counseling, library, and/or co-curricular excellence
• Serving as a program coordinator or department chair
• Chairing a committee or task force
• Advising a student group
• Curriculum development, e.g., creation of new programs, certificates, or major course redesigns
• Leadership in assessment or accreditation effort
• An elected role in the college faculty senate and/or faculty association
• Interviewing for the College’s scholarship competitions
• Becoming and acting as an inclusion advocate
• Mentoring students and/or new faculty, and/or supervising internships
• Mentoring/coordinating adjunct faculty
• Preparing of college grant proposals

Service to the Discipline and Profession

• Conference presenter, reviewer, or editor
• Peer reviewing for a journal
• Chairing a professional conference
• Serving as an organizer or leader of professional workshops, panels, or meetings
• Contributing time and expertise to a professional society or organization
• Holding official leadership roles in professional or scholarly organizations
• Editing and/or reviewing of scholarly publications or media, e.g., publisher integrated materials, OERs, within in the discipline 

Service to the Community

• Service to the community on behalf of the College, e.g., volunteer work, statewide discipline committees, national associations
• Acting as a board member in a community-based, corporate, or governmental organization when representing the College
• Volunteering services as a consultant on community projects when representing the College

Application window and denial/acceptance notices

Once the application window closes, the Emeritus Selection Committee will review all submitted applications. Applicants will be notified of their selection status by April 2027. Additional information regarding recognition and next steps will be provided to those selected for emeritus status. 

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