(Santa Ana, CA) - On March 12, Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) Trustee Arianna P. Barrios was honored at the State Capitol’s Distinguished Women of the Year Ceremony. Following a review of her many accomplishments, Assemblyman Steven S. Choi (R-Irvine) named Barrios as the 68th Assembly District’s Woman of the Year for 2018.
Barrios was appointed to the RSCCD Board of Trustees in August 2011 to fill a vacancy for Trustee Area 7 (formerly District 3). During her tenure, Barrios has served the Board as clerk (2012), president (2013), and clerk (2017). She currently serves as chairperson of the Board Communications Committee and representative to the RSCCD Foundation.
“I am very pleased that Trustee Arianna Barrios has been honored as a California Woman of the Year,” said RSCCD Chancellor Raúl Rodríguez, Ph.D. “Her selection is well deserved based on her many years of tireless dedication to students and the community.”
Barrios began her career working exclusively in education. She served as a substitute teacher for the Orange County Department of Education working with students at the Orangewood Children’s Home and the Orange County Juvenile Detention Center. Turning to community outreach and communications, she began her consulting business working for school districts across Southern California.
With over 24 years of experience in marketing and communications, Barrios is the owner of Barrios & Associates (dba Communications LAB), a full service marketing and communications agency located in the city of Orange. Communications LAB works with a diverse array of clients serving their marketing, advertising, community outreach and strategic communications. Barrios’ success as a communicator and trusted strategist is built upon 24 years of professional experience working with education, transportation, tourism and infrastructure clients both public and private. Her professional resume also includes previous positions as western regional marketing director for Taylor Woodrow Homes, director of communications for HomeAid America, and communications director for the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Birthplace in Yorba Linda.
Born and raised in the city of Orange, Barrios continues to reside in the neighborhood where she grew up and is an active member of her local community. A dedicated community volunteer, Barrios served as a parent member of the Legislative Coalition, as well as the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Community Advisory Committee in the Orange Unified School District. She has also served as a past president of the YWCA Central Orange County. As a board member with the YWCA, she championed the YWCA’s Beverly’s House program that provided housing and educational opportunities for emancipated foster youth. Barrios currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Orange Chamber of Commerce and the Community Foundation of Orange Board of Directors.
RSCCD Trustee Arianna P. Barrios was named the 68th Assembly District’s Woman of the Year for 2018 by Assemblyman Steven S. Choi. Barrios received the award on March 12 at the State Capitol’s Distinguished Women of the Year Ceremony. Photo courtesy of Assemblyman Steven S. Choi's office.
About the Rancho Santiago Community College District
Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College are public community colleges of the Rancho Santiago Community College District, which serves the residents of Anaheim Hills, Orange, Santa Ana, Villa Park, and portions of Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, and Tustin. Both colleges provide education for academic transfer and careers, courses for personal and professional development, and customized training for business and industry.
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