Citrus Superintendent Wins Leadership Award

Over the past few years there’s been an increased focus on outreach in various forms on the Citrus College campus, and recently the Young Women’s Christian Association San Gabriel Valley recognized Citrus’ superintendent for spearheading the charge. Geraldine Perri was named among this year’s Women of Achievement honorees in a recent event hosted by the YWCA.

“I am honored to be recognized by the YWCA San Gabriel Valley, an organization that makes such a positive impact on our community,” said Dr. Perri in a press release. “It is especially meaningful to be recognized for my work as an educator and administrator. I love coming to work each day because I know we are making a difference by empowering others to live a better and more successful life through education.”

On May 19, the YWCA San Gabriel Valley hosted its 27th annual Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon. This year, ten honorees were named from various community-based organizations all around the area, and Dr. Perri—who took over as superintendent of Citrus in July 2008, and has been working as an educator for more than 30 years—was one of those chosen, after being nominated by Citrus Executive Director of Development and External Relations June Stephens.

“(Dr. Perri) has really found some innovative ways to best serve the students, and encourages faculty to be innovative, too,” said Stephens. “I’ve never seen someone in her position so involved in community relations.”

One popular anecdote about Dr. Perri’s tenure on campus was that a 5.5 earthquake hit during her first month on the job, prompting her to revamp the school’s antiquated emergency plan. Other highlights of her time in the position include Citrus’ reaffirmation of accreditation and overseeing significant construction under the Measure G bond.

However, it’s the more-grass roots outreach, spurred and supported by Perri, that has perhaps had the greatest impact on students on an individual level. For instance, Perri showed up at fundraising events for the Citrus GraviTeam, who will be making a trip and making use of NASA’s facilities in Huntsville, Alabama this month.

When the Latina Leadership Network awarded Anneliese Trujillo a scholarship over a year ago which ended up going towards her expenses at Cal Poly Pomona, Dr. Perri spoke about the fact that, someday, it would be the award recipients’ time to give back. Sure enough, just months ago Trujillo paid back $100 in to this year’s scholarship award, echoing those sentiments with action.

“(Dr. Perri) really exemplifies what it is we’re giving the award for,” said YWCA San Gabriel Valley Executive Director Lisa Brabo. “She’s able to balance a power position with a genuine concern for the community.”