DC Armijo

BA – Anthropology / Health Behavior and Education – Oakland University
MHSA – Health Management & Policy – University of Michigan

Retired Nonprofit Executive

Role on the Board: Member of the Engagement, Nominations, and Outreach Committees.

Why I joined the board: My OU roots run deep. My parents attended OU in the early 80s, which meant I got to spend my early teen years exploring campus. Later, as an OU student, I met my wife Shannon (her roots also run deep, her mom was in the charter class). We both graduated from OU with honors, and got married at Meadowbrook Hall. Now, as the parent of a Presidential Scholar, I’ve developed a new appreciation for OU and the role the Honors College serves at the university. Dean Graeme Harper’s commitment to the students and to excellence in education is impressive and inspiring.

The Honors College helps high-achieving students rise to their potential. These students come to OU with a diverse array of backgrounds and lived experiences. Though they all share a deep intellectual curiosity and commitment to academics. The Honors College nurtures that curiosity and empowers these students with truly unique learning and networking opportunities. This serves them well on their journey beyond OU and equips them to make meaningful contributions to their fields and their communities! Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?

Other interests/affiliations: I spent my entire career working in the nonprofit sector (primarily in public health). I’ve held lots of leadership roles including: Fellow, Director, SVP, COO, CEO, Trustee, and Board Member. In 2021, I retired to write a book on nonprofit leadership. I did this for the same reason I joined the Honors College board—to help prepare future leaders for the challenges ahead. The Nonprofit Dilemma will be published in the Fall of 2023. It explores why nonprofit management is uniquely challenging and provides the tools to help purpose-driven leaders navigate those challenges. As governments flounder, the nonprofit sector has grown increasingly important. This means we need more leaders who are both driven and equipped to make a difference.