Saratoga City Councilwoman Kathleen King nominated Chang in appreciation for her work in the community.

"She was the first person who came to mind," King said. "She's a very resourceful person. If there is anything that has to do with the Asian community, I know who to go to."

Chang said she was surprised and humbled when she first found out about the nomination.

"It's a great honor to have this award," Chang said. "There are so many people who have worked as hard and deserve recognition as well."

Chang, a native from Taiwan, set foot in the U.S. in 1975 in pursuit of a master's degree in business. She established herself as a trusted community member in 1995, a year after she settled in Saratoga, as the treasurer of the Saratoga Education Foundation. Taking on even more active roles, Chang became involved with several organizations, including the Silicon Valley Chapter of Chinese American Women, of which she served as the president from 1991 to 1993. In addition, as treasurer of the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project, she helped raise $700,000 to build a Chinese museum in San Jose, a replica of one that was demolished several years back.

"It's been a pleasure working with these different organizations," Chang said. "Not only did I meet a lot of talented people, it was also a great learning experience."

Chang was also one of the key players in the fundraising efforts for Saratoga High School's new Performing Arts and Lecture Center, finding donors within the Asian community during the final push.

Her most recent accomplishment was her involvement with the weeklong Building Bridges celebration. As the chairwoman for the school's committee, Chang helped in coordinating several school events and programs that promoted diversity and appreciation for different cultures.

"Cynthia is a gem in our community," said Katherine Tseng, president of the Parent Teacher Association at Argonaut Elementary School and a member of the Building Bridges schools committee. "She's done a lot in encouraging not only Asian parents, but parents of different backgrounds, to get involved with the community. She's an inspiration for many of us."

But Chang said she is doing what comes naturally for her.

"I like talking to different people and learning about their experiences," she said. "It's important to be open-minded and to have different perspectives on life. We can learn so much just by listening to others."

Getting the Asian community involved may be Chang's forte, but her true passion lies in the education system. She is currently serving her second term as a board member of the Los Gatos­Saratoga Joint Union High School District and has another three years to go.

"Education is the foundation for everything," Chang said. "It's the best investment we can make to help make this world a better place."

Fusing education with diversity, Chang has made it a priority to help ease the transition for many immigrant families.

"It's a whole new world for newcomers, and it can be a scary experience for many," she said. "They need someone to help them explain what the American culture is like and how the system works. It's easy for them to stay in their own circle, but they really need to be connected with the broader community. My goal is to guide them. I don't always have the right answer, but at least I can direct them to the right resources."

Cindy Ranii, superintendent of the Los Gatos­Saratoga Joint Union High School District, has known Chang since 1998 and said she is thankful for having her in the community.

"She's a great leader," Ranii said. "She's contributed a lot of time and effort in the community and is a strong advocate of high academic standards. She's done a great deal in helping immigrant families merge into the school system."

Chang said she is not certain where she will be after her term is up, but will continue in her efforts to raise cultural awareness among different communities. She is currently working on a project co-sponsored by the Los Gatos­Saratoga Branch of the American Association of University Women and the Silicon Valley Chapter of the Organization of Chinese American Women to establish a center called Pacific Migrations at the proposed New Brighton State Beach Visitor Center in Santa Cruz. At the center, visitors will be able to learn about Chinese immigrants' involvement in agriculture, transportation and business in the region.