2014 CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AWARD WINNERS’ BIOGRAPHIES
Faculty Award
Dr. S. Terri Gomez Ethnic and Women’s Studies Department
Professor Terri Gomez teaches Ethnic and Women’s Studies 202where students participate in service-learning projects with the Pomona Boys and Girls Club and the Pomona Economic Opportunity Center. At Cal Poly Pomona, she received a grant to start a transfer program (PolyTransfer) to serve asresource for community college transfer students transitioning to a four year institution. Apart from the campus, Dr. Gomez teaches Women’s Studies to inmates of the Chino Institute for Women Prison, providing a voice to all involved the program.
Staff Award
Juan Araya Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies
Working as a site technician and agroecologist at the Lyle Center since 1997, Juan has led numerous community engagement activities around food security and food system education. He was the leader in the development of a community garden at Lopez Elementary School, working closely with administrators, teachers, parents and students to secure property, conduct soil testing, secure donations and recruit students to make the garden a reality. He also hosts tours for school and community groups engaging them about agricultural and food issues.
Community Partner Award
Kingsley Elementary School
Under the leadership of Principal Laura Solis, Kingsley Elementary School has created interdisciplinary partnerships with the departments of Education, Music, Psychology and Sociology, and Accounting. From music education projects to common core policy campaigns, Kingsley Elementary has always provided a place for Cal Poly Pomona students to put their skills into action and to be educated from the administrators, parents, teachers and students of Kingsley. With structured supervision and unending charisma, faculty and students continue to share how their service experience at Kingsley Elementary was life-changing.
Student Organization Award
Alpha Kappa Delta (AKD) is the international sociology honor society dedicated to academic excellence and achievement in sociology. AKD hosts a series of educational events to provide critical knowledge to unrepresented communities. At David and Margaret Youth and Family Services, they tutor elementary and middle school students. They organize school supply drives for local schools and canned food drives for the Interfaith Shelter for Thanksgiving. AKD members are committed to service, social activism and social change.
Student Award
Orlando Smith
As part of the National Association of Peer College Advisors (NAPCA) Orlando shares his experiences with young people, through relating his struggles as a special education student and dedicated athlete, who has worked non-stop to overcome heartbreaking obstacles to achieve success. He presents annually at Kearny High School as a key motivational speaker to Advancing via Individual Determination (AVID) freshmen to inspire them to fulfill their goals. He was a participant in the Global Leadership Connection program at the University of San Diego. He volunteers in beach clean-ups and electronics recycling drives. He serves as a Resident Advisor at the Village apartments on campus. He is a sociology major with a minor in Political Science.
Legacy of Service Award
President J. Michael and Mrs. Betty Ortiz
Raising money for scholarships for future teachers, planning with community officials and leaders for the Pomona Youth and Family Master Plan, serving on leadership boards for local non-profits and school agencies, these are just a few of the many community service endeavors undertaken by President J. Michael and Mrs. Betty Ortiz. From their first year on the campus, they both sought out avenues to serve our local communities with their time and talents and to encourage the expansion of service-learning throughout the campus. This afternoon, they are honored with the Legacy of Service Award for their tremendous contributions to the community and for their undying inspiration of others to be civically engaged. They have motivated an entire University community to give back, get involved and make an everlasting impact.