New Roles in the Santa Clarita Valley – April/May 2019

Tracy O’Garro
Sponsored Programs Cluster Coordinator
The California Central Coast Area Team of AFS Intercultural Programs

The California Central Coast Area Team of AFS Intercultural Programs announces that Santa Clarita resident Tracy O’Garro has accepted the volunteer position of Sponsored Programs Cluster Coordinator. In this position, O’Garro will oversee program activities for high school exchange students who come to the California Central Coast Area Team through three U.S. Department of State scholarship programs, namely the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES), Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange, and Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) programs. Among other organizational and support duties, as the Sponsored Programs Cluster Coordinator O’Garro will work with area businesses, government institutions, community service organizations, and youth groups to plan and implement enrichment activities for the Area Team’s sponsored programs cluster. A “cluster” is made up of at least three sponsored programs students hosted within an area team. Currently, for the 2018-19 school year, the California Central Coast Area Team is hosting three YES program students from Nigeria, Gaza Strip, and South Africa. A native of Adelaide, Australia, O’Garro has worked in the financial technology industry for 20 years, including in Adelaide, London, Chicago, and, since 2003, in the greater Los Angeles area. She currently is hosting a YES program student from Gaza Strip.

Catherine Francisco
Fitness Director
Henry Mayo Fitness and Health

It is official Catherine Francisco has been appointed the new Fitness Director at Henry Mayo Fitness and Health. Francisco has received many awards and accolades to include the Rising Star Award from the Medical Fitness Association in November of 2018. The Rising Star Award spotlights excellence and individual achievement as well as significant leadership within the medical fitness community. Francisco holds a master’s degree in kinesiology from California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and served as an adjunct professor before she began her career in fitness. One year ago, she started as the Clinical Integration Coordinator where she worked closely with physical therapy, cardiac rehab, and the community health education center. As the Fitness Director, she oversees the fitness department that is comprised of clinical integration, personal training, massage therapy, and group exercise. Her goals for the future are to continue to develop the department to meet the community’s fitness and health-related needs; also to help build the upcoming Sports Performance facility and Pilates Studio.

Dr. Jerry Buckley
President
Reedley College

Dr. Jerry Buckley has been named President of Reedley College. In his current position at COC, Buckley is the Accreditation Liaison Officer, oversees 145 degree and certificate programs, helps facilitate the College Promise Initiative, and leads the implementation of career pathways and continuing education opportunities across the Santa Clarita Valley. Before joining the Santa Clarita Community College District, Buckley was the Vice President of Instruction at San Diego Miramar College, a Senior Dean of Institutional Research, Planning & Institutional Effectiveness for the Grossmont Cuyamaca Community College District, and Dean of Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Exercise Science and Wellness at Grossmont College. In his new position, Buckley will be responsible for the planning and leadership of the Reedley’s main campus, as well as the college’s off-campus locations. Prior to entering higher education, Buckley worked in healthcare for 14 years, coordinating and training personnel in clinical research that focused on medical imaging and medical device development in the cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary sciences.
After completing his undergraduate studies in biological sciences from the University of Southern California, Buckley earned a master’s degree in biology from California State University, Fullerton and a doctorate in educational leadership from San Diego State University. He is also a graduate of the LACCD/UCLA Presidents Academy.

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