Camarillo, Calif. April 19, 2010 – At the recent Latino Leadership Awards hosted by El Concilio del Condado de Ventura, a staff member and a group of students from CSU Channel Islands (CI) were recognized for their commitment to the Latino community. The awards are presented annually to individuals and groups who have provided outstanding service to Latino residents in Ventura County.
The 2010 Latino Leader of the Year Award was presented to Damien Pena, Interim Dean of Students at CI. Pena, an Oxnard native, joined the University in 2007 as Director of Access, Orientation and Transition Programs. He is simultaneously pursuing his doctorate degree in Higher Education Leadership. As a leader, mentor and advisor to countless individuals, Pena’s personal mission is to effect change for Latinos in Ventura County.
The 2010 President’s Building Bridges Award was presented to CI’s Leaders in Educational Awareness Program (LEAP). Students who volunteer in this program are committed to creating a college-going culture for Ventura County’s K- 8 students. To accomplish this, LEAP students host a weekly campus visit program called “Pathways to College”.
The LEAP program’s campus visit includes a “How to Get to College” presentation, a CI student panel, a campus tour, and fun activities to help students retain the day’s information. LEAP volunteers promote the value of higher education to constituents in Ventura County and educate students about social justice in education. Volunteers learn to make an effective age-appropriate presentation to elementary and middle school children. LEAP students have given presentations to 760 students in 13 schools in the last three months. During the 2008-2009 academic year, the LEAP students presented to more than 1,620 students from 34 schools. CSU Channel Islands previously received the President’s Building Bridges Award in 2008.
The mission of El Concilio del Condado de Ventura is to take the lead in improving the quality of life of the Latino community, and by extension, the community-at-large, by providing quality programs and services, advocating for the clients it serves, and collaborating with other community organizations and agencies.
For media inquiries contact Nancy Covarrubias Gill, Director of Communication & Marketing at CSU Channel Islands, 805-437-8456 or nancy.gill@csuci.edu.
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CSU Channel Islands is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
CI Mission Statement
Placing students at the center of the educational experience, California State University Channel Islands provides undergraduate and graduate education that facilitates learning within and across disciplines through integrative approaches, emphasizes experiential and service learning, and graduates students with multicultural and international perspectives.
