Amanda Quintero
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Amanda Quintero ('00)On the fast track
Amanda Quintero has been on a career fast track since graduating as a Global Studies major in 2000. She went on to earn a master's in public policy and administration from CSU Long Beach. She also found time to study Mexican culture and Spanish at the Center for Bilingual & Multicultural Studies in Cuernavaca, Mexico. And she has plans to enroll in a doctoral program in 2007.
Amanda is the director for research and sponsored programs at CSU Channel Islands.
"I oversee the development and submission of grant proposals and contracts on behalf of the university," she says. "Our office is also responsible for the oversight of all faculty, staff, and student research that involves human subjects."
Her office submitted 34 grant proposals in its first year and a half of operation at the new campus-generating $2.5 million in revenue.
Amanda is also interim director for the CSUCI Office of Service Learning and Civic Engagement. In this role, she works with faculty, students, and community agencies to integrate real-world experiences with classroom learning. She credits CSUMB and its service learning leadership program for her success.
"Service learning and civic involvement play an important role at CSUCI in shaping an engaged university in the communities of Ventura County," she says. As for handling two jobs: "It's difficult to manage two startup offices at the same time, but it's not impossible. I have an amazing family, an extraordinary mentor and supervisor, and an excellent staff. The combination of all three truly allows me the opportunity to do both jobs.
"I decided to continue my education in public policy and administration because I would eventually like to work in the state legislature as a policymaker in the executive branch," she says. "I was inspired to continue working in higher education because access to higher education is a policy issue that's close to my heart. If I can bridge the community with higher education through grant-funded projects and service learning, then I truly feel that I'm giving back to others the opportunities that were afforded me."
Before joining CSUCI, Amanda worked in the Office of the Chancellor as coordinator of AmeriCorps programs for the entire CSU system.
"I was recruited by the CSU Chancellor's Office of Community Service Learning as a result of being part of the Executive Fellowship Program," she says. "As an executive fellow with the Capital Fellows Program, I was placed with the former Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism, now the California Service Corps, which administers AmeriCorps programs in California. I was able to apply my knowledge of AmeriCorps program administration to the systemwide administration of AmeriCorps in the CSU."
Amanda's career advice: "I would say that networking skills are very important. Use your educational experience as an opportunity to get out into the community as much as possible, either through service learning or internships. It really does help build your resume. Opportunities, like national service, international or local leadership programs, and fellowships, are great ways to transition into the workforce."
~ Don Porter, Internal Communication Specialist
Originally appeared in Alma Otter, Winter 2006
Update on Amanda, April 2008: Amanda now serves as the Interim Associate Vice President for Research and Sponsored Programs at CSU Channel Islands. In March 2008, Leadership California selected her to become a member of its 2008 California Issues & Trends Program, a prestigious, yearlong program for 60 women leaders from across the state of California.
Through the program, Amanda will study critical public and private sector issues and enhance her knowledge on California from state, national and global perspectives. Along with other women leaders from across the state, she'll connect with top decision-makers, thinkers and practitioners.
Leadership California began in 1992 with a dream to inspire, inform, and advance women leaders who would influence Californias future. It provides a critical pathway for successful women who care about advancement, achievement, and significance. These women are not only talking about change, but plan to be part of making it happen.
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