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Dr. Windy Paz-Amor of Bergen County, Director of the Department of Institutional Engagement at Raritan Valley Community College, was recently celebrated as the honoree at the 2026 Freedom Fund Gala-Cultural Enrichment Award event, hosted by the NAACP of Hunterdon County. The theme for the October 24 event, held at the Bridgewater Manor, was “One Legacy, Ours to Build.”
Dr. Paz-Amor, who also serves as director of the Paul Robeson Institute for Ethics, Leadership, & Social Justice at RVCC, was recognized for her outstanding contributions to cultural enrichment within the community. According to information from the organization, the RVCC administrator’s “leadership, generosity, and unwavering commitment to elevating Black culture through higher education…have created meaningful impact across our youth. [Her] contributions have strengthened community pride and understanding of self.” In addition, her efforts have “paved the way for deeper connection, celebration, and education throughout Hunterdon County and beyond.”
The Freedom Fund Gala celebrates five years of legacy-building and marks the launch of a new initiative to expand youth outreach through programs that help students excel both academically and socially. The NAACP works toward the ongoing progress in safeguarding political, educational, and economic rights and eliminating race-based discrimination throughout Hunterdon County.
Dr. Windy Paz-Amor is a higher education administrative leader, educator, scholar, and institutional strategist whose career spans more than two decades of leadership across student affairs, academic and residential learning environments, institutional engagement, organizational development, community partnerships, and student success. An experienced educator, author, and speaker, she is committed to expanding educational opportunity, strengthening communities, developing leaders, and creating institutions where students and employees can thrive.
At RVCC, she provides strategic direction for initiatives that strengthen institutional culture, student and employee engagement, educational programming, leadership development, and community partnerships. Her work requires collaboration with such College departments as Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, and Human Resources, as well as with senior leadership, faculty, staff, students, and external community partners.
Before joining RVCC in 2021, Dr. Paz-Amor held progressive leadership positions at the University of Vermont, including Program Director and Associate Director of the Living/Learning Center. There, she helped oversee a complex residential learning environment encompassing more than 40 academic and leadership programs serving hundreds of students annually.
Her professional experience extends beyond traditional higher education administration, however. Dr. Paz-Amor has served as a faculty member, educational consultant, curriculum developer, nonprofit leader, advocate, and trainer. She has designed and facilitated educational experiences for audiences ranging from emerging student leaders to faculty, staff, administrators, and professionals, with a particular emphasis on leadership, organizational culture, belonging, conflict resolution, community development, and social responsibility.
Dr. Paz-Amor earned her Doctor of Education in Leadership, Education, and Policy Development from the University of Vermont, where she received the Susan Hasazi Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement and Dissertation Excellence. She also earned a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Women & Gender Studies with a minor in Sociology from the University of Vermont.
Dr. Paz-Amor has written and published articles and scholarly work that examines leadership, identity, agency, trauma, storytelling, gender, and institutional life. Her career has been recognized through numerous honors, and in 2024 she was selected to participate in the American Association of Community Colleges John E. Roueche Future Leaders Institute.
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