On November 18, the College of Health and Human Services will host the 2021 Health and Human Services Hero Awards to recognize individuals who are making a bold difference right here in the Central Valley. We will highlight the ten honorees in our Heroes Blog Series.
Name: Corey Torres
Occupation: General Manager, Tehachapi Valley Recreation & Park District
Nominated by: The Department of Recreation Administration
A recent graduate of Fresno State’s Recreation Administration Department, Corey Torres is already making big moves in his career. As the general manager of the Tehachapi Valley Recreation & Park District, he oversees services for a population of just under 13,000. For him, the role is not just a career, but a lifestyle. In fact, he was raised in the mountain community and has lived there for most of his life, and says that inspires him everyday to make the Valley better.
“To be able to serve the community I grew up in means everything to me,” Torres said. “I firmly believe that the parks and services we provide play such an impactful role in our community’s overall quality of life. Memories are created at our parks and community events. Life lessons are taught and learned from the programs we provide. I couldn’t be more proud and honored to lead this district every day.”
In just a short amount of time, Torres has put his stamp on the community. He recently applied for a Proposition 68 grant which, if awarded, will help pay for West Park improvements, including walking paths, reconstruction of parking, artificial grass replacement, construction of a new drainage system and gymnasium, as well as new amenities like a skate park and basketball and pickleball courts, among many other benefits.
Torres got his start with the Tehachapi Valley Recreation & Park District by completing a student internship in 2015 and credits the Department of Recreation Administration for helping him get to where he is today. After graduating, Torres became the aquatics manager at the district and later worked up the ranks from recreation coordinator to supervisor, and eventually director. During that time, Torres earned his master’s degree in Public Administration from California State University, Northridge.
Torres regularly hosts networking opportunities for Fresno State recreation administration students and brings guest speakers to campus. He says giving back in this way is a privilege.
“The time I spent at Fresno State pursuing my degree will always be one of the best times in my life,” Torres said. “The relationships I made and the mentors and the experiences I gained shape who I am today. To be around peers with the same passions and motivations in life was incredible. To top it off, the professors and staff in the department care so much about their students. I’ll forever be proud to be a Bulldog.”
The 2021 Health and Human Services Hero Awards, which celebrates heroes from each of the seven departments, as well as centers and institutes within our college, will be held virtually this year. For more information on the event, contact Beth Wilkinson at bwilkinson@csufresno.edu.
Fresno State College of Health and Human Services 
What a great highlight of a hero! I can’t wait to share with the pre health/human services freshmen that just heard him speak at an Alumni Panel Event.
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Way to go Corey! We are so proud of your work.
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