CSU Monterey Bay alumna Christina Herzig knows what it takes to be a teacher. 

When Christina Herzig left classroom teaching at Marina Vista Elementary, she decided to help those who were trying to get into the profession by establishing the Karen Lynn Rezavy Liberal Studies Scholarship, an award named for her mother. 

Each year, two full-time CSU Monterey Bay students –either completing a Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies or entering their credential year in the Liberal Studies Integrated Teacher Education Program – are awarded $1,000 scholarships. 

Herzig, who earned her bachelor’s degree in liberal studies  and teaching credential at CSUMB, established the scholarship a decade ago.

“I had no idea it was going to morph into what it has become,” she said.

Recently, she hosted a 10-year reunion for recipients of the scholarship. 

“We’ve done two reunions,” she said. “We did one at five years, and that one made me cry, to see the impact that just $1,000 can make. My favorite part is getting to know the recipients and to see what a difference it has made in their lives. There are some amazing teachers that have come out of this program.”

One of those teachers, she said, talked with her about the struggle of finding enough money to pay tuition. 

“She was afraid she was not going to be able to stay in the program,” Herzig said. “The scholarship funds gave her exactly the amount she needed to pay the tuition.”

Herzig spent two years as a teacher before moving into the real estate mortgage business. She rose through the ranks to become a senior loan partner and finally a mortgage consultant, learning every aspect of the business. But her respect for teachers has not diminished.

She said she plans to continue to support CSUMB’s credential program “for as long as I can. I plan to set up an endowment for when I’m gone.”