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The Founder's Oak Society Standing Tall for Student Success What is the Founder’s Oak Society? Have you ever wondered what makes DVC’s commitment to student success so strong? Without a doubt, it’s the dedication and support of the Faculty and Staff of DVC. Within this dedicated group is a special circle of faculty and staff who make ongoing donations to the DVC Foundation to support programs, scholarships, and initiatives that provide essential opportunities for our students. This group is DVC’s Faculty and Staff Founder’s Oak Society. Named after the majestic oak tree that once stood at the heart of our campus, the Founder’s Oak Society embodies strength, growth, and lasting impact. Just as the oak tree offered shade and support for generations, members of the Founder’s Oak Society help build a future of success for DVC students through their ongoing contributions. Why Your Support Matters, and Why Now? We are at a critical moment of growth and opportunity for the DVC Foundation. In recent years, our impact has expanded significantly, allowing us to support more scholarships, student programs, and campus initiatives than ever before. Today, your participation in the Founder’s Oak Society is crucial in ensuring we continue to make timely, impactful, and responsive funding decisions for student success. Your support helps us move beyond reactive fundraising—such as “passing the hat” during emergencies—and enables proactive, sustainable support for student success. Together, we can ensure students have continuous access to the resources they need most. Join the Society Today Oak Roots Level $90/month Building deep, lasting roots of student success. Your support ensures resources for generations to come! Join Through Payroll Donations Here Or... Join Through Online Giving Here Click "Foundation Payroll Deduction Form" All Donations are tax-deductible, straightforward to set up, and profoundly meaningful! Your Impact In Action... Enhancing Emergency Grants In 2024, over $12,000 was given to students facing urgent financial crises. With your support, we aim to provide at least $25,000 annually by 2025, ensuring immediate assistance is always available. Expanding Scholarships We’ve increased scholarship funding by 200%, awarding over $200,000 annually. We’re projecting another 20% increase in 2025, enabling even more students to access critical financial support. Funding Student Success Programs Last year, the Foundation funded over 55 academic and hands-on student success programs, investing directly in opportunities that prepare students for real-world challenges. In 2025, our goal is to provide more than $100,000 toward these transformative initiatives. Investing in Staff Development From funding the President’s Classified Exemplary Service Award to providing professional development resources, the Foundation is committed to filling the gaps and supporting DVC’s dedicated faculty and staff. Strengthening Alumni Connections In its second successful year, the DVC Alumni Association, funded by the Foundation, continues to provide critical mentorship, networking, and community-building opportunities. The Legacy You Leave Together, let’s stand tall for student success! In the early 1950s, a majestic oak tree was left standing amid the bulldozers as the DVC campus took shape. For decades, Founder’s Oak served as a symbol of community, strength, and resilience—offering shade and shelter to generations of students and staff. Though storms and age eventually took the tree, its spirit continues through the generosity of our Founder’s Oak Society members. Your ongoing support ensures that the legacy of Founder’s Oak lives on, providing immediate assistance to students, funding meaningful programs, and fostering a campus environment where every student can thrive.

The President's Circle Working to empower education and inspire futures. Mission and Vision The President’s Circle at Diablo Valley College Foundation brings together a distinguished group of individuals, organizations, and businesses, each contributing an annual, unrestricted gift of $1,000 or more. This collaboration underpins our shared vision to empower our community and create a significant, lasting impact. Membership Impact and Benefits As a member of the President’s Circle, you play a pivotal role in shaping innovative educational programs that prepare our students for the challenges and opportunities of the future. Your support helps foster environments where Action Learning and Entrepreneurship thrive, enabling students to engage with real-world problems and develop cutting-edge solutions. Join the Circle

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 News Stories Get updated on Upcoming events heading your way and see how you can grow your connections. View All See events for the DVC Retirees' Association! Event Calendar

Scholarship Giving <- Back to Menu Invest in a Dream Because of your generosity, a promising student can focus on their studies, unlock their potential, and become a future leader in our community. Your support removes financial barriers and opens doors to a brighter future. Give the gift of education and empower the next generation of leaders. We have a long list of scholarships that help a wide range of students, so we suggest using the menu on the right to navigate the different groups we have! If you are interested in opening a scholarship, please contact us at dvcfoundation@dvc.edu Donate To The Retirees Association Today! DONATE

James "Jim" Blair Executive Director | Director of College Advancement Jim serves as the Executive Director of the Diablo Valley College Foundation and the Director of College Advancement at Diablo Valley College. With a background in law and a deep understanding of charitable giving strategies, Jim brings a unique blend of legal insight and fundraising expertise to the Foundation. He specializes in planned giving and legacy planning, helping donors align their philanthropic goals with long-term financial and estate plans. His work ensures that each gift not only supports student success today but creates lasting impact for generations to come. <- Back to Roster

Beth Unland Board Member, Finance Committee | Sr. Principal Customer Manager at Workday Beth serves on the Board of Directors within the finance committee for the Diablo Valley College Foundation and works as a Senior Principal Customer Success Manager at Workday. With a unique professional background bridging education and technology, she spent seven years as a teacher and technology coach before transitioning to the corporate sector. Beth specializes in empowering clients to achieve their goals by synthesizing complex information into actionable strategies. A dedicated community leader, she is an active member of Leadership Contra Costa and volunteers with Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, bringing a deep passion for service to her role on the board. <- Back to Roster

Charley Daly Alumni Manager Charley serves as the Alumni Manager and Podcast Host for the Diablo Valley College Foundation. With a strong background in business development and community engagement, he specializes in building networks that connect alumni with current students. Charley founded the DVC Alumni Speakers Bureau to provide mentorship opportunities and share inspiring success stories through his platform. His strategic outreach has significantly grown the alumni community, fostering a supportive environment that honors the college's legacy. <- Back to Roster

Dr. Stephen Harper Board Member | Board-Certified Orthodontist Dr. Harper serves on the Board of Directors for the Diablo Valley College Foundation, bringing a deep commitment to community health and educational excellence. A board-certified orthodontist and founder of Harper Orthodontics, he has provided exceptional care to families in Walnut Creek and Martinez for over 14 years. Dr. Harper combines his professional expertise with a passion for supporting local students, believing that access to quality education is vital for a thriving community. His leadership helps guide the Foundation in its mission to create opportunities and foster student success for the next generation. <- 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

Student Opportunites Ready to build your resume and gain a competitive edge? The DVC Foundation now offers unique, project-based opportunities designed to provide students with direct, hands-on experience. Explore the projects listed below to develop the valuable skills employers are looking for and add practical experience to your resume! What to Expect How You'll Grow Our projects are designed to mirror the challenges and workflows you'd find in a professional setting. Each opportunity is a self-contained, short-term project that allows you to contribute to a meaningful outcome for the Foundation or a partner organization. You might be asked to help with anything from market research and social media content creation to event planning and data analysis. This is your chance to move beyond theory and apply your classroom knowledge to solve real-world problems, building a portfolio of work that demonstrates your capabilities. The primary goal of these opportunities is to equip you with the skills that employers value most. While working on these projects, you will inherently practice critical thinking, teamwork, and professional communication. Depending on the project, you can also gain specific technical skills relevant to your field of study. Upon completion, you will have a concrete experience to add to your resume and specific accomplishments to discuss in job interviews, giving you a clear advantage as you begin your career. How it Works It's as easy as ... 1. Browse Take a look at our current list of available projects. Each post includes a clear description of the project's goals, the skills involved, and the expected time commitment so you can find the perfect match for your schedule and career interests. 2. Apply Found an opportunity that excites you? The next step is to fill out a straightforward application. This is your chance to tell us a bit about yourself, your skills, and why you're interested in the project. 3. Begin Once you are selected, you’ll be connected with the project lead to get started. You will be on your way to gaining valuable hands-on experience, building your professional network, and adding a significant accomplishment to your resume. See Our Available Projects Below! TikTok Brand Ambassador Become a TikTok Ambassador for the DVC Foundation! We are looking for a creative student(s) to manage our TikTok account and engage with the campus community. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on social media marketing experience and build your portfolio. Learn more about the role, time commitment, and the valuable skills you'll develop. Placeholder Project Become a TikTok Ambassador for the DVC Foundation! We are looking for a creative student(s) to manage our TikTok account and engage with the campus community. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on social media marketing experience and build your portfolio. Learn more about the role, time commitment, and the valuable skills you'll develop.

Christopher "Chris" Lane Administrative Assistant Chris serves as an Administrative Assistant for the Diablo Valley College Foundation while pursuing his studies in Finance. A driven leader and investor, he founded The Viking Fund Club to provide fellow students with hands-on experience in equity research and portfolio management. Christopher actively contributes to the campus community, holding leadership roles in finance clubs. His work with the Foundation focuses on donor stewardship, event support, boosting online presence, financial reporting, and streamlining operations to enhance the organization's impact. <- Back to Roster