Amanda Quintero. Photo by BB Rivas / El Concilio Family Services
Editor’s note: Part of a continuing series of stories profiling the award-winners of El Concilio Family Service 2013 Latino Leadership Awards. The awards gala will be held on Friday, June 7, 2013 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Click here or call 805-486-9777 for tickets or more information.
Amigos805 staff reports
Amanda Quintero, a first-generation college graduate, was born and raised in west Sacramento and came to Ventura County in 2004.
She pursued a bachelor’s degree in global studies at CSU Monterey Bay, completed a master’s degree in public policy and administration from CSU Long Beach and is currently working on a doctor of philosophy degree in higher education policy from the School of Educational Studies at Claremont Graduate University.
“I believe I am receiving this award because of my involvement and commitment to advancing CSU Channel Islands as a Hispanic-serving Institution,” she wrote in her acceptance letter. “This designation is important and meaningful for the local community because it allows the university to leverage federal resources to build its capacity to better serve current students and future students in the region, particularly low-income and first-generation Latina/o students.… As a daughter of immigrant parents and former low-income, first-generation college student I am a fierce advocate for underrepresented minority students in higher education as I understand the obstacles to obtaining a college education.”
In nominating her, Quintero’s supervisor wrote, “She has consistently shown herself to be a capable, visionary leader with a desire to always move the emerging campus to the next level in terms of its service and outreach to underrepresented and first-generation students … Once a first-generation Hispanic student herself, Amanda inspires students and community members alike, and illustrates where determination and hard work can lead them.”
For more information on El Concilio’s programs and services or reservations for the awards gala, visit www.elconciliofs.org or call 805-486-9777.