EL MONTE – El Monte Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga will be honored by the Cal Poly Alumni Association as its 2018 Distinguished Alumnus, recognizing the class of 1996 grad for his vision, leadership and willingness to give back to the El Monte community.

Zuniga will receive the 2018 College of Education and Integrative Studies Distinguished Alumni Award during the Cal Poly Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony at the Sheraton Hotels and Resorts Fairplex Conference Center in Pomona on Friday, April 27.

“Being named a distinguished alumnus is a tremendous honor, and I am humbled and thankful for this recognition,” Zuniga said. “The guidance and support I received at Cal Poly has resonated throughout my career as an educator and enabled me to reach professional heights. Thank you to Cal Poly Pomona for placing me among such an esteemed group of alumni.”

Zuniga has been a part of the El Monte community his entire life. After graduating from El Monte High School in 1991, Zuniga earned his bachelor’s degree in history and teaching credential from Cal Poly Pomona.

He began his education career at El Monte High as a teacher and coach before transitioning into administrative positions, being named principal of South El Monte High in 2008, El Monte Union assistant superintendent of human resources in 2012 and district superintendent in 2016.

“Cal Poly Pomona is proud to bestow the honor of Distinguished Alumni to Dr. Zuniga,” Cal Poly Director of Development John Huynh said. “Dr. Zuniga was chosen for his enthusiastic support of the El Monte community, his visionary implementation of hands-on learning and his humble demeanor. Dr. Zuniga could have taken his exceptional talents anywhere. We all benefit from his decision to stay in his hometown.”

Cal Poly Pomona’s College of Education and Integrative Studies provided the tools and resources for Zuniga to complete his teacher credential training, shaping his vision to embrace hands-on learning concepts and implement curriculum centered on real-world problem-solving.

Zuniga continues to support the university through his involvement in the California Teachers Summit, Teacher Education Job Fair, Human Resource Panel and the Cal Poly Pomona Alumni Association.
He previously served on the El Monte City School District Board and is affiliated with the School Superintendents Association and the Association of California School Administrators. He received his master’s in educational administration from Azusa Pacific University and completed his doctoral degree in educational leadership at the University of Southern California.

“Being integrated in El Monte and the surrounding community has given me the inspiration to ensure that our students have access to the resources they need to prepare for college and career, as well as building community partnerships that strengthen and support students in their educational endeavors,” Zuniga said.

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042618_EMUHSD_DISTINGUISHED: El Monte Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga will be honored by the Cal Poly Alumni Association as its 2018 Distinguished Alumnus on Friday, April 27. Zuniga graduated from Cal Poly Pomona in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in history and a teaching credential.