Santa
Ana, California – Santa Ana College (SAC) alumna Nora Mendez has been selected to receive the 2020 Outstanding Graduate Award from the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). The national award represents the highest recognition for community college alumni; Mendez is one of four individuals chosen to receive the honor this year.

“America’s community colleges educate 12 million students each year, and every one of those students has overcome their own barriers on the road to success,” explained AACC President and CEO Dr. Walter G. Bumphus. “I am pleased that we are able to honor some of these remarkable individuals who benefited from a community college education and have not only had successful careers, but also—and perhaps more importantly—have had a lasting and positive impact on their communities.”

To be eligible, alumni must be nominated by an AACC member CEO, have attended a community college for at least 30 semester hours, and have received national recognition. An AACC Board of Trustees committee considers each eligible candidate's history ( click here to see Nora's ), their achievements in their chosen field, and their contributions to their community and university. Diversity also plays an important role.

Méndez graduated from SAC with an associate degree in 1999 and a bachelor's degree in Human Services from California State University, Fullerton, in 2001. She currently serves as executive director of the OC Community Housing Corporation (OCCHC), where she works tirelessly to provide affordable housing and access to educational opportunities for extremely low-income families. She serves on numerous boards, including The Kennedy Commission, NeighborWorks OC, and Community Housing Resources, Inc., and was inducted into the SAC Alumni Hall of Fame in 2017.

She has also been honored with:

• 2019 California Community Colleges Distinguished Alumni Award
• "Hispanic Woman of the Year," awarded by the Orange County Department of Education and the City of Santa Ana
• “Distinguished Women Award”, by the California State Assembly (2014)
• "Hispanic of the Year 2013," by the Latin American Citizens of Orange County
• United States Congress House of Representatives Recognition Award for personal achievement and civic engagement

“Nora serves as an inspiration to students and alumni at community colleges across the country,” said Dr. Linda Rose, president of SAC. “Nominating her, as well as highlighting the stories of all our alumni, is vital to the work of our Office of University Advancement. We are so proud of her accomplishments, her leadership, and the impact she has had on our community. She embodies the true spirit of our college. We applaud Nora and her fellow recipients for their academic excellence and selfless dedication to community service.”

The Alumni Awards Outstanding alumni were established in 1982. The AACC recognized SAC alumni Robert David Hall in 2007 and Dr. James Nguyen in 2012.

In addition to Méndez, the recipients of this Outstanding Graduates of 2020 award are: Jean-Bernard Durand, Medical Director of Cardiomyopathy Services at MD Anderson Cancer Center, who attended Long Beach Municipal College; David Custer, CEO/President of Custer Workplace Interiors, from Grand Rapids Community College; and Karen Morris-Priester, an Anesthesiologist at Allentown Anesthesia Associates, who attended HACC, the Community College of Central Pennsylvania.

This year's award winners will be honored at a special breakfast on Monday, March 30, 2020, during the AACC 100th Annual Convention in National Harbor, Maryland.

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About Santa Ana College:
Santa Ana College (SAC), which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2015, serves approximately 27,000 students each semester at its main campus in Santa Ana. The college prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions and provides invaluable workforce training and customized training for business and industry. An additional 11,000 students are served through the college's School of Continuing Education located in the Centennial Education Center. Ranked among the nation's top two-year colleges that grant associate degrees to Latino and Asian students, the college is also recognized statewide for its comprehensive workforce training programs for nurses, firefighters, police officers, and other medical personnel. SAC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District .

Ms. Nora Mendez, recipient
of the 2020 Outstanding Student Award from the
American Association of Community Colleges
(AACC )