Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian honored Allan Hancock College employee Terri Lee Coleman with the 2016 Community Impact Award for the 35th Assembly District, in recognition of her volunteerism and countless contributions to the college and numerous nonprofit organizations.
“I am humbled and honored to receive the award. I have the utmost respect and admiration for Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian,” Coleman said in a press release.
Coleman is an advancement specialist, pursing external grants, resources, and partnerships to benefit students at Hancock.
Achadjian, who is closing out his third and final term as a state assemblyman, honored Coleman for her decades-long dedication to community involvement.
“There are few people that I have met who have the energy and community spirit that Terri Lee Coleman exhibits daily,” Achadjian said in the press release. “Terri Lee can be found at most all of the community events benefiting families and children. She serves on the Boys & Girls Club and Santa Maria Police Council boards. She sat on the YMCA Board for 20 years and many others. She is always willing to make a difference in someone’s life.”
Coleman, a Hancock alumna, started volunteering in the community more than 25 years ago. Since then, she has dedicated her time and energy to nearly a dozen civic and nonprofit organizations that include the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Maria Valley, California Women for Agriculture, Leadership Santa Maria Valley, Santa Maria Police Council, Santa Maria Valley YMCA, and the Rotary Club of Santa Maria.
Coleman said a passion for helping others compels her to stay actively involved in the community.
Over the years she’s been recognized by the Guadalupe City Council, Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, city of Santa Maria, Boys & Girls Club, Santa Maria Police Department, and the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce.
For the last five years, Coleman focused on fulfilling the financial and resource needs of the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs at Hancock.
In October, Coleman joined the college advancement team that aims to increase the understanding and support for the college through alumni relations, public and governmental relations, and fundraising. In addition to pursuing grants on behalf of the Allan Hancock College Foundation, she will assess and identify the community’s agricultural needs. Coleman also will help recruit new members to the President’s Circle, a key group of community members whose donations provide additional support to Hancock students and programs.
This article appears in Oct 27 – Nov 3, 2016.