Dionardo E. Pizaña, BA, MA

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Specialist

Agricultural Hall
Michigan State University Extension

Dionardo Pizaña is an anti-oppression educator and facilitator who has over 30 years’ experience developing, teaching, and facilitating diversity, equity and inclusion education programs for non-profit, governmental and educational institutions.  Dionardo’s work as an activist and educator is grounded in his conviction that deep and lasting institutional change requires an equally strong commitment to “working on oneself” while nurturing authentic relationships across difference. He believes that authenticity is far more than mere friendship or working affiliation. It is based on trust, honesty, risk-taking, mutual responsibility, humility, compassionate accountability, and acceptance that tension in relationships is a necessary component that leads to growth.  His ongoing commitment to issues of social justice continues a legacy of community and social justice leadership inspired by his parents and grandparents who were migrant workers, originally from Texas, and settled out in a small, rural Michigan community as one of the first Latino families. 

Dionardo received his undergraduate degree in sociology from the University of Michigan and his master’s in organizational development and leadership from Siena Heights University.  He joined the Opening Doors National Facilitator team in 2012 after successfully completing the Opening Doors Apprentice Program.  Since then, he has coordinated and co-facilitated the Opening Doors Workshop for Michigan State University Extension colleagues and community members from throughout the state and country.  As a lifelong learner around issues related to social justice, anti-oppression and change, Dionardo has participated in foundational learning opportunities such as cultural bridges, VISIONS PACE training, Opening Doors and The People’s Institute.

Growing up a midwestern Latino (Mexican American) from a small, rural community in Michigan, where he still resides, Dionardo’s world view was shaped with the complexity of often being one of the only racially diverse individuals in most settings and being characterized as an “acceptable” Mexican by many of his White community members and friends.  These experiences have helped inform how he shows up for himself and with others, centering compassionate accountability, to meet people where they are and challenge us all to grow.  Additionally, his continued personal work has centered on better understanding the many privileges he receives as a cis-gender male, with four brothers, and unlearning unhelpful messages about emotions, emotional literacy and resilience.  Many of his personal and professional experiences has helped him to understand that oppression and change is systemic and our collective work needs to include work at the personal, interpersonal, institutional and cultural levels.