<- Back to News & Articles See How Your Help has Affected DVC! Campus Corners: The Student Veteran's Resource Center (SVRC) Let's take a visit to one of the most resourceful places on campus... Read More Fall Giving: A Season of Momentum and Meaning See how your help has created hope and inspired dreams in the fall season! Read More Alumni Pulse: Networking, Networking, Networking! Learn about the Alumni Association's recent networking event! Read More Campus Corners: The Brand-New Engineering and Technology Building Let's take a visit to the brand-new ET Building! Read More Legacy Giving: The Charitable Gift Annuity Learn how you can influence DVC for generations to come! Read More The Viking Ensemble: Making Music and Careers with Experiential Learning Learn about our efforts to create experiential learning for DVC students! Read More

<- Back to News & Articles Each Person Has Their Own Story! Honoring the Legacy of Michael "Mickey" Ganitch Learn about the incredible impact of the great Mickey Ganitch! Read More DVC Alumni Spotlight: Brandon Brookshire Journey From veteran, to DVC, to banking and board member: Brandon Brookshire. Read More Finding His Way Back: Jim Blair, Executive Director at the Foundation A Message from Jim Blair, Executive Director at the DVC Foundation. Read More DVC Alumni Spotlight: Karrington’s Journey from DVC to Oxford From DVC to Oxford! Learn about Karrington's journey! Read More Celebrating the Ongoing Impact of the DVC Retirees' Association Learn about the DVC Retirees' Association! Read More Student Leadership at DVC: Growing What Lasts Learn about some of our recent student leaders! Read More

< Back Honoring the Legacy of Michael "Mickey" Ganitch November, 2025 Learn about the incredible impact of the great Mickey Ganitch! Each year, the DVC Foundation has the profound honor of awarding two scholarships in the name of Michael “Mickey” Ganitch — a sailor whose life reflected courage, humility, and an unwavering commitment to service. On Veterans Day, as we pause to honor all who have served, we shine a special light on the story behind this remarkable scholarship and the impact it continues to make for DVC’s student veterans. A Legacy Born in Extraordinary Moments... Mickey Ganitch enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 21. By the fall of 1941, he was serving aboard the USS Pennsylvania, the flagship of the Pacific Fleet — and playing on the ship’s football team. On the morning of December 7, 1941, Mickey and his teammates were suited up for what was supposed to be the Navy’s own “Super Bowl,” a championship game against the USS Arizona. Instead, as the first bombs fell on Pearl Harbor, Mickey raced to his battle station still wearing his football pads, climbing into the crow’s nest to serve as lookout during the opening minutes of the attack. It was an almost unbelievable moment — part courage, part instinct, and unmistakably American. Mickey went on to serve throughout World War II, remained aboard the Pennsylvania during its major Pacific operations, later served during the Korean War, and ultimately retired as a Senior Chief Quartermaster. In the decades that followed, he continued serving his community through veterans’ organizations, church leadership, volunteer service, and acts of quiet compassion. Mickey passed away in 2022 at the age of 102, leaving behind a legacy defined by service, generosity, and heart. A Scholarship That Inspires New Generations... Today, the Michael (Mickey) Ganitch Memorial Scholarship honors that legacy by supporting DVC student veterans who, like Mickey, have dedicated themselves to service and to strengthening their communities. “Receiving a scholarship named after a true hero means more than I can express. As a veteran returning to college, this support lifts a huge weight and allows me to focus fully on my education. It encourages me to keep striving, give back, and live up to the values Mickey embodied.” -Clark Kevin Santiago, Scholarship Recipient Honoring Mickey. Supporting Veterans. Strengthening Futures... We are honored to carry Mickey’s story forward, we are grateful for the student veterans who continue their education at DVC with determination and purpose, and we are proud that this scholarship — rooted in a moment of history and a lifetime of service — continues to make a difference in their lives. Previous Next

Anthony Redondo Board Member, Finance Committee | VP of Global Accounting at Blackhawk Network Anthony serves on the Board of Directors in the finance committee for the Diablo Valley College Foundation and is the VP of Global Accounting Operations, Treasury, and Internal Audit at Blackhawk Network. With over two decades of experience in finance and operations, he specializes in steering complex global teams and optimizing organizational efficiency. Anthony holds a Certified Internal Auditor credential and has built a robust career, including leadership roles at Protiviti and PWC. A dedicated community leader, he also serves on the Executive Board of the Innovation Tri-Valley Leadership Group, working to create a thriving ecosystem for local business and education. <- Back to Roster

Alexia Reed Board Member | Director of Marketing at Blackhawk Network Alexia Reed serves on the Board of Directors for the Diablo Valley College Foundation and is the Director of Marketing Communications at Blackhawk Network. An award-winning industry veteran with nearly two decades of experience, she specializes in planning global events and strategic communications that drive meaningful business results. Alexia is known as a creative architect, producing major conferences for leaders in the fintech and retail sectors, and has been recognized as a finalist for the prestigious PRSA Bronze Anvil Awards. Her deep expertise in building key relationships and managing complex projects helps guide the Foundation’s efforts to engage the broader community. <- Back to Roster

Thomas "Thom" Martin Development Officer Thom Martin serves as the Development Officer for the Diablo Valley College Foundation. As an experienced non-profit executive and cause-driven leader, he brings a wealth of expertise in fundraising, staff development, and strategic planning. Thom has a proven track record of leading diverse teams and implementing successful major gift strategies for organizations across the Bay Area. He is dedicated to driving results that support community programs and enhance organizational impact. <- Back to Roster

Tyson Sullivan Board Member, Finance Committee | Agent at New York Life Insurance Company Tyson serves on the Board of Directors within the finance committee for the Diablo Valley College Foundation and is a Financial Services Professional with New York Life Insurance Company. With a diverse background in business development and sales management, he specializes in helping families and business owners create and preserve wealth through comprehensive financial strategies. Tyson holds a BBA from the University of Georgia and brings over a decade of operational leadership experience from the construction and title industries. A dedicated community advocate in San Ramon, he currently serves as President of the California High School Athletic Booster Club and previously led the Bollinger Canyon Little League through a successful merger. <- Back to Roster

Gianpoalo "GP" Aguilar Administrative Assistant Gianpaolo serves as an Administrative Assistant for the Diablo Valley College Foundation, where he oversees financial logistics and operational support. With over eight years of experience as a Project Specialist, he brings robust skills in team management and data analysis from his extensive tenure in retail leadership. Gianpaolo plays a crucial role in processing accounts payable and receivable, ensuring the accuracy of the Foundation's financial records and vendor relations. He also contributes his creative talents to the team, assisting with event planning and graphic materials to enhance organizational outreach. <- Back to Roster

News and Articles Campus Wide Impact Stories Learn how your donations impact our campus! From scholarship developments to new student initiatives, learn how your support fosters creativity! View All Student Success Stories Get updated on students who have received scholarships! We follow up with many of our students to see how your support has helped them! View All See events for the DVC Retirees' Association! Event Calendar

< Back DVC Alumni Spotlight: Brandon Brookshire Journey November, 2025 From veteran, to DVC, to banking and board member: Brandon Brookshire. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Brandon Brookshire, a DVC alum with a fascinating journey from military service to banking and higher education. Brandon's story is a testament to the transformative power of education and community. After serving in the Air Force, Brandon found himself at a crossroads. He came to DVC looking for direction and discovered a supportive veteran’s community that helped him navigate his benefits and pursue his goals. From there, he went on to earn multiple advanced degrees and build a successful career in banking. What struck me most about Brandon's story was his hunger for continuous learning and growth. Even as he balances a demanding career and growing family, he's pursuing an MBA and considering future academic endeavors. His perspective on the balance of work-life, gained from experiences abroad, was particularly insightful. Brandon's journey from struggling veteran to thriving professional and lifelong learner is truly inspiring. His story highlights the lasting impact DVC can have in launching students toward their dreams. I invite you to listen to the full interview to hear Brandon's insights on everything from the banking industry to studying abroad in Barcelona. His story is a powerful reminder of how education can open doors and transform lives. Tune in to DVC Alumni, where every story inspires the next. Brandon's Journey may just motivate you to take the next step in your own educational and professional development! Previous Next

Hubert Ma Board Member | Founder of HUBRAYMA LLC Hubert Ma serves on the Board of Directors for the Diablo Valley College Foundation and is the Founder of HUBRAYMA LLC. An accomplished entrepreneur and transformative leader, he brings deep expertise in product development, strategy, and marketing from his time at major corporations like The Clorox Company, General Mills, and Procter & Gamble. Hubert specializes in bringing concepts to life as commercialized products, with a focus on consumer insights and regulatory strategy. In addition to his business leadership, he is actively involved in the education sector, serving as a board member for the DVC Business Administration Department and the Vanderbilt University Alumni Association. <- Back to Roster

< Back Campus Corners: The Student Veteran's Resource Center (SVRC) November, 2025 Let's take a visit to one of the most resourceful places on campus... Our path today takes us just across from the Library, at the base of Science Hill, to the Student Veterans Resource Center (SVRC) on the Diablo Valley College campus. In Contra Costa County alone there are over 53,000 veterans living in our community. Across California, more than 55,000 veterans, active‑duty service members or dependents are enrolled in community colleges each year. These figures remind us that the SVRC serves not only a classroom, but a chapter of lives in transition. When I stepped inside the SVRC, I was greeted by Marine veteran Andres Garcia, who shared: " The SVRC has given me purpose and made it possible to be involved both in the community and on campus. It has also connected me with incredible resources and services that help me succeed.” Nearby, another Marine veteran, Jose Maya Magdalena, didn’t hesitate:“I truly believe I would have dropped out if not for the SVRC. The community and safe space it provides keeps me going.” Their words resonate because they reflect the heart of the SVRC’s mission: a place of support, connection, and academic renewal. As I walked among the study nooks, resource stations and informal gathering areas, it became clear the center is more than a facility—it’s a community anchor. Here at DVC, we cultivate a campus where veteran students are seen, supported and celebrated. And as the data show, the numbers matter: not only for the veterans themselves, but for the strength and diversity they bring to our collective educational experience. Designate your Donation to the SVRC! Next month, our walk will carry us to the center of student life—the Student Union. Stay tuned! < Previous Next >