Camarillo, Calif., Feb. 7, 2013 – CSU Channel Islands (CI) Director of Development, Alumni Relations Tania Garcia recently was named “Volunteer of the Year” by the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce. Garcia, a nine-year employee of CI who has served as the Chamber’s Education Committee Chair for the past two years, was honored during the Chamber’s annual recognition awards gala. The ceremony, held January 25 at the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, also honored awardees for Business of the Year, Corporate Sponsor of the Year, and Ambassador of the Year.
“I’m so humbled to be recognized for doing something that I love so much,” Garcia said. “The work that the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce does to support the education community is exceptional and it’s my privilege to represent CSU Channel Islands as an active partner in that goal.”
Garcia joined the Chamber more than three years ago. After joining the Chamber’s Education Committee and participating in the Teacher of the Month Program, where members pay monthly surprise school visits to outstanding teachers and “shower them with gifts and adoration,” she volunteered to chair the committee.
“It’s the most rewarding experience to know you’ve just added a little positivity to a teacher’s day,” Garcia said. “Our local teachers are amazing and we are so lucky to have the opportunity to thank them.”
Garcia also chairs monthly Education Committee meetings, brings in speakers, assists in the Emerging Leaders (young professionals) group, recruits new members, and assists with other Chamber programs like Principal for a Half-Day.
Her career at CI has focused on creating alliances with community members and businesses. Shortly after joining CI in 2003 as an administrative assistant in Community & Government Relations, Garcia tackled the job of building CI’s Alumni & Friends Association, now more than 1,400 members strong. Over the next nine years, she also helped run CI’s Business & Technology Partnership and worked her way through the ranks to her current role as Director of Development, Alumni Relations. Garcia holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver.
“Tania is an outstanding volunteer for the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce and a terrific representative for CSU Channel Islands,” said Jill Lederer, President and CEO of the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce. “She is totally committed to anything she takes on and does it with intelligence, creativity and passion. We’ve seen increased attendance at Education Committee meetings because of her influence. Her energy and enthusiasm is contagious and encourages more people to participate. We’re so fortunate to have her.”
For more information on the award, visit http://www.conejochamber.org/. Contact Tania Garcia, Director of Development, Alumni Relations, at 805-437-8952 or tania.garcia@csuci.edu.
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About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands(CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting CI's Social Media.