FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Melissa Utsuki
Executive Director of Communications and External Relations
626-914-8872
mutsuki@citruscollege.edu
Citrus College Automotive Instructor Honored by Statewide Organization
Glendora, Calif. (June 10, 2019) – Citrus College Automotive Technology instructor Mariano Rubio was recently recognized as the "College Teacher of the Year" by the California Industrial and Technology Education Association (CITEA).
Nominated by his former high school automotive teacher, Brad Walsh, Rubio was honored at the Los Angeles chapter of CITEA's annual awards banquet in front of nearly 60 educators, students and industry professionals.
"I was completely surprised and humbled to win this award from CITEA," said Rubio. "It felt great to be recognized by my peers, especially with my former high school instructor in attendance. I am mostly glad that news is spreading about the success of the automotive program at Citrus College."
Rubio's teaching career began when his former Citrus College instructor, Dennis Korn, invited him to return as an instructor. In the nine years since he began teaching, Rubio has played a significant role in advancing career technical education at the college, including successfully reinvigorating the medium and heavy diesel truck technology program, creating a new stationary power generation program, and increasing employment rates among former students.
"Mariano Rubio's contributions to Citrus College are significant and diverse," said Dr. Geraldine M. Perri, superintendent/president of Citrus College. "His dedication to student success is exemplary, and many graduates are now gainfully employed in the automotive industry due to Mr. Rubio's extensive industry knowledge and expertise. Congratulations to Mr. Rubio for winning this award!"
Previously, Rubio had a distinguished 13-year career in the automotive service and repair industry before switching lanes to education. As a service technician for Toyota, Rubio was inducted into Toyota's International Assembly of Customer Service Champions for scoring a "perfect" on every Toyota test given, including the master skills competition. He also received a Congressional Certificate of Recognition from U.S. Rep. Judy Chu for his outstanding performance in customer service, and a Distinguished Alumni Award from the Citrus College Automotive Technology Program.
"Mariano Rubio's passion for teaching is contagious, and he inspires everyone around him to excel and be their best," said Michael Wangler, dean of mathematics and business, and interim dean of career, technical and continuing education. "More than simply preparing students to excel in their chosen field, he instills a passion for learning that leads many of his students not only to become successful technicians in the automotive industry, but also to pursue engineering degrees once they've graduated."
Mr. Wangler continued: "Thanks to Mariano and the other dedicated faculty in our automotive technology program, I am confident that our students are well prepared to address the complex issues of the rapidly changing automotive industry as it continues to evolve and intersect with other fields of science and technology."
###
