University Advancement

Public Relations and Strategic Communications

MEDIA RELEASE

CSUN’s Beatriz Cortez Receives Salvadoran of the Year Award

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif., Nov. 5, 2007) — Beatriz Cortez, director of the Central American Studies Program at Cal State Northridge, has been honored by the Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund (SALEF) for her continuing efforts in helping students achieve their dreams.

Cortez, an active member of the Central American community, holds ties to SALEF, the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) and other community organizations to promote education and encourage students to become involved with the community.

Cortez said she was honored to receive the award because it recognizes her efforts in helping to shape the discipline of academics from within the community. "It is important because it gives visibility to the whole program and not just myself," she said.

As director of CSUN’s Central American Studies Program, Cortez is responsible for the strategic planning, academic excellence, curriculum development, part-time faculty training and general administration of the program.

Cortez and her colleagues began developing the program in 2004 and by February 2007, they made history with the approval and implementation of the first bachelor of arts degree in Central American Studies in the United States.

"This award comes at the crucial moment when our B.A. has been inaugurated and progression is at its largest," said Cortez. "It’s good to have recognition from outside of the university."

SALEF has provided more than 400 scholarships to underserved Central American and Latino students and provided services to over 75,000 people.

Douglas Carranza, a Central American studies professor at CSUN, described SALEF’s mission: "The primary goal of the organization is to provide education for Central Americans and Latinos, going beyond the initial Salvadoran goal. SALEF is helping people with needs through financial support or by educating students on the rights that they have."

Cortez believes in the transformation of a community through education and daily work with the students. At the same time, she is convinced that education takes place not only in the classroom but also outside the university. She advocates for service learning projects and community applied learning.

"We have a community that really struggles to be able to go to college," said Cortez. "Many students have to work two to three jobs for them to go to school. It is really important for them to have sources for scholarships."

California State University, Northridge has 34,500 full- and part-time students and offers 62 bachelor’s and 50 master’s degrees as well as 28 teaching credential programs. Founded in 1958, CSUN is among the largest single-campus universities in the nation and the only four-year public university in the San Fernando Valley. The university serves as the intellectual, economic and cultural heart of the Valley and beyond.