Student Success Stories <- Back to News & Articles Each Person Has Their Own Story! DVC Alumni Spotlight: Karrington’s Journey from DVC to Oxford Celebrating the Ongoing Impact of the DVC Retirees' Association Student Leadership at DVC: Growing What Lasts

< Back 5 most promising Fintech startups Jess Wilder Mar 17, 2023 This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own content or import it from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, and videos. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. Previous Next

TikTok Student Ambassador Award of $XXX upon project completion 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 and alumni. 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 below. *Up to Student(s) Discretion, but a Possible Content Structure could be: A Day in the Life: Showcasing authentic student experiences. Foundation & Resources: Creatively promoting scholarships, events, and support systems. Campus Culture: Highlighting clubs, sports, and DVC traditions. Educational & Informative: Offering quick tips on financial aid, registration, and career prep. Apply Here First name* Last name* Student email* Phone Why do you want this position?* Link to CV/LinkedIn Apply Learning Objectives 1. Increase Brand Awareness: The primary goal is to build a larger and more active TikTok following for the DVC Foundation. The student will be tasked with creating educational and relatable content that resonates with current DVC students and alumni to grow the account's audience, as well as informative infographics. 2. Drive Student Engagement: The student will be responsible for actively promoting the Foundation's initiatives and support services. This means creating a steady stream of videos that highlight key resources like: Scholarship opportunities Campus events Workshops 3. Gain Real-World Experience (Experiential Learning): A key goal for the student personally is to gain valuable, hands-on experience. Their success in this area will be measured by their ability to complete the learning objectives outlined in their agreement, which they will detail in a final report at the end of the term. <- Back to Projects

< Back Entering a new era of IoT Derek Wells Mar 18, 2023 This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own content or import it from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, and videos. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. Previous Next

The DVC Foundation was established in 1974 to support the students, faculty, and staff of Diablo Valley College. Much has changed from our founding, but we remain ready to serve the same groups in new and diverse ways. We still form the main channel of connection between our generous donors and students in need. WHAT WE DO If you believe that education is the way to prepare someone for a better future, join us in the work we do. We support students at Diablo Valley College by providing scholarships, emergency aid, and other financial resources that ease the burden of college costs. The Foundation bridges the gap between potential and opportunity—ensuring that finances aren’t a barrier to academic success. Whether it’s a textbook, tuition payment, or transportation, we help students stay focused on their future. Thank you for all you do! OUR PHILOSOPHY We believe that every student deserves a fair chance to succeed. Education can transform lives, but too often, financial hardship stands in the way. That’s why we’re committed to equity, compassion, and community. Our philosophy revolves around the idea of return and giving back what was given to us. We believe that every student wants the same thing in life: a career, family, connection, and community. If we focus on helping ALL to get that, we become stronger and help make the world a better place. OUR GOALS We have one goal. To improve the lives of our students. We do that through scholarships, but we also offer emergency assistance and help to create new programs and facilities on campus. All programs and scholarships are designed to make a student's journey easier and more rewarding. We are currently aiming to increase the number and impact of scholarships we provide each year, build sustainable funds that support students long-term, and grow our network of donors and partners who share our mission. As we continue to grow, our focus remains clear: help more students, in more meaningful ways, every year. Contact us here for any questions on scholarships or programs!

Campus Wide Stories <- Back to News & Articles See How Your Help has Affected DVC! The Viking Ensemble: Making Music and Careers with Experiential Learning

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

Donate to DVC Supporting the Foundation 99% of our assets are restricted gifts that satisfy program requirements and restrictions. To enable us to be responsive to emergent student needs like new program creation, emergency response, and other unanticipated expenses, we rely on unrestricted gifting! From these funds, we direct a response to where the need is the greatest . Thank you for your continued support! “While I am unsure what will happen after I graduate from a four-year institution, what I do know for sure is that this scholarship and your generosity will be very helpful in assisting me to pay for tuition and living fees next year as transferring to a four-year is a very large financial commitment.” - Nathan M., Continuing Student Donate All Donations are tax-deductible, straightforward to set up, and profoundly meaningful! Empower Dreams. Bridge Gaps. Create Opportunity. Change Lives. Without Unrestricted Gifts ... We Cannot Function. Promote Your Business, Empower Our Students The Benefits of Partnership Enhance Brand Visibilty Showcase your company's commitment to education and community development. We feature our partners on our website, at events, and in our communications. Join a community of leading businesses dedicated to empowering local students. As a DVC Foundation sponsor, you'll gain valuable exposure for your brand by connecting with thousands of students, faculty, and community members. Your tax-deductible contribution directly bridges financial gaps, creates opportunity, and changes the lives of students right here in our community! Become a Sponsor Today! View Our Packages Below Title Sponsor Named "Title" sponsor of chosen sport, club, or program Receive prominent logo placement on campus, website, and social media VIP tickets to special events Performance by the Viking Ensemble at your company event Preferential access to DVC's premier meeting and event spaces $10,000 $7,500 Patron Sponsor Named "Title" sponsor of chosen sport, club, or program Receive prominent logo placement on campus, website, and social media VIP tickets to special events Performance by the Viking Ensemble at your company event Preferential access to DVC's premier meeting and event spaces $5,000 $3,750 Champion Sponsor Named "Title" sponsor of chosen sport, club, or program Receive prominent logo placement on campus, website, and social media VIP tickets to special events Performance by the Viking Ensemble at your company event Preferential access to DVC's premier meeting and event spaces $3,000 $2,250 Contact us at dvcfoundation@dvc.edu to lock in these deals! Thank You to Our Campus Wide Sponsors for Supporting Student Success! Mail Check The DVC Foundation 321 GOLF CLUB ROAD PLEASANT HILL, CA 94523 Gifts of Stock, Bonds, & other Securities The DVC Foundation accepts gifts of stocks, bonds, and other securities. For any inquires or to make this type of gift, please contact us at jblair@dvc.edu Legacy Giving Include the DVC Foundation in your will, life insurance, or other estate planning options. Learn More Electronic Funds Transfer Donations made via electronic fund transfers (EFT) to the DVC Foundation are easy, secure, and fast. Please contact us at dvcfoundation@dvc.edu IRA Giving You may be able to lower the taxes from your IRA's required minimum distribution by making a donation from your IRA to the DVC Foundation. Learn More In-Kind Gifts The DVC Foundation accepts in-kind donations in the form of any product, service, or other non-cash item of monetary value. Please contact us at dvcfoundation@dvc.edu While we encourage donors to give unrestricted gifts as this allows us to focus support fluidly where the need is the greatest, such as when we had to adjust everything we did to assist students during the pandemic, we understand that some donors prefer to direct their giving to personal interests and desires. You can do so through our Directed Giving Menu !

Discover Karrington's inspiring alumni success story from DVC to Oxford, showcasing resilience and achievement. <- Back to Student Success Stories DVC Alumni Spotlight: Karrington’s Journey from DVC to Oxford At Diablo Valley College, we believe in the promise of each student’s journey—wherever it begins and wherever it leads. This month’s Alumni Spotlight features Karrington, a 2022 graduate whose academic path is now taking her across the Atlantic to pursue graduate studies at the University of Oxford. Karrington began her studies at DVC in 2019, finding her footing as the world around her shifted due to the pandemic. “I had a great time at DVC, even amidst the pandemic,” she reflected. “The transition to online classes was seamless, and the community was very supportive.” Those early years not only provided a strong academic foundation but also helped her clarify her sense of purpose. Raised in San Ramon, Karrington described growing up in a place that was “super nice,” yet at times isolating. As one of the few African-American students in her community, she often felt like an outsider. “It was home at the end of the day,” she said, “but definitely, as a kid, it was difficult always being an outsider.” That sense of otherness sparked a deep curiosity—one that would grow into a passion for service and advocacy. At first, Karrington was on a nursing track. But a pivotal internship at Stanford changed her trajectory. “Coding and data analysis felt like building Legos,” she said, a nod to the joy of discovering something new that connects to who you’ve always been. That internship helped her uncover an interest in mental health policy—something that felt urgent, personal, and full of possibility. Scholarships, including the Kennedy-King Memorial Scholarship, helped open doors, and Karrington transferred to Cal State East Bay. There, she was awarded the prestigious Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service—an experience that allowed her to travel the country, studying how different communities address mental health access. “That scholarship gave me the chance to learn directly from people in cities like D.C., Atlanta, and New Orleans,” she shared. “It deepened my commitment to advocacy, policy, and community building.” This fall, Karrington will begin graduate studies in health policy at the University of Oxford—on a fully-funded scholarship. She sees this opportunity not as a finish line, but as a way to continue giving back. “This is a dream come true,” she said. “It’s a chance to bring back insights that can help make mental health more accessible for everyone.” When asked what keeps her going, her answer was simple but powerful: “You only have one life. Just do your best. No one has ever directly told me I can’t, so why should I believe otherwise?” Karrington’s journey is a reminder that meaningful change often starts quietly—in a classroom, during a conversation, or through an internship that opens your eyes to something new. Her story speaks to the power of persistence, of being open to change, and of staying connected to the communities that shaped you. We’re proud to celebrate Karrington as a member of the DVC alumni family. Her story—like so many others—is one of purpose, resilience, and hope. Click here to listen to the full podcast!

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

Peter Zaballos CMO, Authentic Fractional Ryan Buckley Assistant Professor of Business Administration and Entrepreneurship, DVC Dr. Stephen Harper Orthodontist, Martinez and Walnut Creek Anthony Redondo Vice President, Global Accounting Operations and Treasury, Blackhawk Network Steve Fernando Regional Sales Manager, Cisco Meraki Mino Sastry Interim Chief Executive Officer, Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley Monica Chahal President, DVC Brandon Brookshire Relationship Credit Manager, Commercial Lending, Heritage Bank Beth Unland Principal Customer Success Manager, Workday Sandra Quevedo Ratcliff Regional Sales Leader, Cisco SLED Pacific Tyson Sullivan Financial Services Professional with NYLIFE Securities Alexia Reed Director of Marketing Communications at Blackhawk Network Itzel Gutierrez San Jose State Alumni Hubert Ma Former Executive Member of 10+ Non-Profit Boards, Founder of HUBRAYMA Apply Here!

<- Back to Campus Wide Stories The Viking Ensemble: Making Music and Careers with Experiential Learning April, 2025 This fall, Diablo Valley College is buzzing with more than just students headed to class—it’s alive with music, collaboration, and career preparation, thanks to a unique experiential learning program: the Viking Ensemble Associate Fellow Program. With support from DVC Foundation donors, six music students are selected each academic year to serve as Associate Fellows in this dynamic, student-led performance group. These students aren’t just playing music—they’re building their careers. From planning campus concerts and coordinating logistics with community partners, to rehearsing and performing at local nonprofits and DVC sponsor locations, these Fellows take on real-world responsibilities that mirror the creative and collaborative demands of professional life. September, 2025 Under the guidance of music faculty mentors and seasoned industry professionals, the Viking Ensemble experience blends artistic growth with project management, event planning, and leadership training. Each Fellow receives a stipend—made possible through donor support—that allows them to focus on learning and performing, rather than balancing additional jobs or unrelated work-study roles. “This experience helped me build confidence as a performer and a leader,” shared one participant. “It’s something I never would have had access to without the support of the Foundation and its donors.” The Ensemble performs at least eight events per semester , infusing both the campus and community with live music and demonstrating what’s possible when education is paired with hands-on practice. These performances are more than concerts—they're proof points that student talent, when supported by opportunity, thrives. And that’s exactly what DVC’s experiential learning mission is all about: preparing students for life beyond the classroom with experiences that make them career-ready, community-connected, and creatively inspired. The Viking Ensemble is just one of many programs where your support makes a difference. Thank you for helping DVC students turn passion into purpose.