For Immediate Release
RSCCD Board of Trustees Honors Exemplary Staff in Recognition of National Women's History Month
Santa Ana, CA, March 14, 2023: During last night's Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) Board of Trustees meeting, three employees were awarded “Woman of the Year" for their outstanding representation of excellence in the workplace. Maria Garcia, Susana Cardenas, and Zina Edwards from District Office, Santa Ana College, and Santiago Canyon College, respectively, were each awarded a certificate of recognition for their service, character, and dedication to student success. The winners were selected from a districtwide staff nomination process and vote.
About the 2023 Woman of the Year award winners
District Office Woman of the Year, Maria Garcia, has been an employee of the district since 2005 and currently serves as a People & Culture Business Partner. Recognized by colleagues for her dedication, effort, patience, care, and respect, Maria works with new employees, finalizing the onboarding process and supporting them every step of the way.
Santa Ana College Woman of the Year, Susana Cardenas, is well-known across campus. Since 2017, she has served as Administrative Secretary in the Office of Career Education and Dual Enrollment; however, she is also completing an additional assignment as the Student Services Coordinator in the Career Education Office to help overcome staffing shortages. As a highly respected Classified staff member, Susana is known for rising above and beyond to ensure that Santa Ana College Career Education programs have the resources and equipment to foster student success.
Zina Edwards, who has dedicated over 34 years to RSCCD, is the Santiago Canyon College Woman of the Year. Zina has spent the last 19 years serving as Student Programs Specialist in the Counseling and Career Development Center. As a Student Programs Specialist she is often the first person students encounter when they join SCC, and they are always met by Zina's warm and helpful attitude with every visit. As a consummate team player, Zina works tirelessly to ensure that every student is satisfied and genuinely happy with the services they receive in SCC counseling.
“I am inspired by the incredible talent, dedication, and spirit exemplified by this year's 'Woman of the Year' award recipients," stated RSCCD Chancellor, Marvin Martinez. “These women, and so many others within our district, are the essence of our dedication to student success. As our district continues to grow, people like Maria, Susana, and Zina will ensure our students have access to the opportunities and resources needed to achieve their educational goals."
About Rancho Santiago Community College District
Rancho Santiago Community College District is home to one of the state's oldest community colleges, Santa Ana College, and one of its newest, Santiago Canyon College. Centered in a growing and dynamic area, the district serves more than 571,000 residents in Anaheim Hills, Orange, Santa Ana, Villa Park, and portions of Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, and Tustin.
Encompassing 24 percent of Orange County's total area (193 square miles), the district maintains eight facilities. In addition to Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College, these include the Centennial and Orange Continuing Education Centers, the Digital Media Center, the Orange County Regional Fire Training Center, the Orange County Sheriff's Regional Training Academy, the College and Workforce Preparation, Remington Adult Education Center and the District Operations Center.
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