< Back A Day of Celebration and Gratitude Scholarship Awards Ceremony Brings Donors and Students Together On May 8, the Diablo Valley College community gathered at the Performing Arts Center for the annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony, followed by a donor reception at the Main Street Bistro. The event celebrated the accomplishments of hundreds of students whose hard work, perseverance, and determination earned scholarship support. For many recipients, the awards represented more than financial assistance. They provided encouragement, confidence, and affirmation that others believe in their potential. Following the ceremony, donors and students had the opportunity to meet and share their stories, creating meaningful connections and highlighting the impact of philanthropy on student success. One of the most powerful moments each year is hearing students describe the challenges they have overcome and the goals they are pursuing. From future nurses and engineers to teachers, entrepreneurs, and artists, scholarship recipients shared inspiring stories of resilience and ambition. Throughout the reception, donors experienced firsthand the impact of their generosity. Conversations revealed how scholarships help students stay enrolled, reduce financial stress, and focus on achieving their educational goals. The Scholarship Awards Ceremony remains one of the Foundation’s most meaningful traditions, bringing together the people who make student success possible and the students whose futures are being transformed through their support. Every scholarship awarded represents a partnership between a donor who believes in education and a student determined to make the most of the opportunity. Together, they create stories of achievement, perseverance, and possibility. < Previous Next >

< Back Campus Corners: From Foundations to Futures The New Engineering and Technology Building I’ve always appreciated the range of seasons that show up on my morning walks during the spring semester. Rain, cold, snow on Mt. Diablo, and somehow 80 degrees at 7 a.m.—all in the last month. This morning, that contrast hit differently. As I stood looking at the new Engineering and Technology Building rising out of the ground—33,000 square feet of steel and concrete taking shape—I couldn’t help but notice Mt. Diablo behind it, still covered in snow. Progress in the foreground. Something constant in the distance. I turned and walked back across campus to where these classes are being held today—in spaces that have done their job but have clearly been asked to do more than they were built for. So instead of trying to say it all, I’ll let these three images do most of the work: My walk is always a good start to the day. Today, it felt like a reminder. We can build incredible things. We can create opportunity. And we can be part of something that lasts longer than any one of us. < Previous Next >

< Back Campus Corners: The Student Veteran's Resource Center (SVRC) 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 >

< Back Fall Giving: A Season of Momentum and Meaning See how your help has created hope and inspired dreams in the fall season! Fall at DVC always feels a bit electric. The air is crisp, the leaves turn, and the walkways fill with purpose. Students bounce between classes, clubs, and campus events. The hum of activity says it all—this is a season of momentum. You hear it in the rhythm of our Viking Ensemble students, who are turning passion into purpose by performing across campus and in the community while gaining hands-on skills that set them up for professional success. You see it in the buzz of our Student Union, where students gather not just for food pantry access and basic needs support, but for the sense of belonging that sustains them. You feel it at our groundbreaking ceremonies and alumni mixers, where new construction and renewed connections promise something lasting. Even the postseason echoes with that energy. While we won’t detail every stat, just know that Viking football, water polo, and cross country have all had a fall to remember. And that matters—not just for the athletes, but for the spirit it stirs in everyone else. But with all this energy comes the reminder that not all student needs are visible ... On November 10, the DVC Foundation hosted the first-ever Industry Invitational at Oakhurst Country Club—a day of community, generosity, and purpose. Proceeds from the tournament support Fueling Futures: One Meal at a Time, an initiative providing 1,000 meals to students and their families this holiday season. It’s part of our broader commitment through the Student Safety Net Fund, which helps students stay enrolled and succeed by providing emergency grants, food, housing support, and more. “It was just a great day,” said event co-founder JB Balingit. “Everyone came together to support students and their families—and to give DVC culinary students a chance to gain real experience while making a real impact.” And quietly, consistently, the Diablo Valley College Retirees Association (DVCRA) has been part of that impact for decades. Behind the scenes, the retirees and the DVCRA have made sure that students have a pathway to success—funding more scholarships than any other single group at DVC. These aren’t just financial gifts. They’re acts of belief. Each scholarship awarded tells a student: you belong here, and we believe in where you're going. < Previous Next >

< Back The Viking Ensemble: Making Music and Careers with Experiential Learning Learn about our efforts to create experiential learning for DVC students! 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. 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. < Previous Next >

<- 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... Fall Giving: A Season of Momentum and Meaning See how your help has created hope and inspired dreams in the fall season! Alumni Pulse: Networking, Networking, Networking! Learn about the Alumni Association's recent networking event! Campus Corners: The Brand-New Engineering and Technology Building Let's take a visit to the brand-new ET Building! Legacy Giving: The Charitable Gift Annuity Learn how you can influence DVC for generations to come! The Viking Ensemble: Making Music and Careers with Experiential Learning Learn about our efforts to create experiential learning for DVC students! President’s Circle: Where Generosity Becomes Momentum for Student Success This Month in History Black History, Community Colleges, and the Work of Access at DVC Building What Comes Next: Engineering & Technology at DVC Campus Corners: From Foundations to Futures The New Engineering and Technology Building Leadership in Action President’s Circle Breakfast Connects Donors with Student Success A Day of Celebration and Gratitude Scholarship Awards Ceremony Brings Donors and Students Together Read More

< Back Alumni Pulse: Networking, Networking, Networking! Learn about the Alumni Association's recent networking event! Fall always feels like a fresh start. New classes, new faces, and a campus full of people trying to find their footing. It’s the perfect time to talk about something I’ve believed in for decades—networking. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been visiting classrooms and student clubs to run Fun with Networking, a workshop built from forty years of experience. Nothing complicated. Just honest stories, simple tools, and a lot of practice. Students usually start off quiet and unsure. But by the end, they’re talking, laughing, and meeting people they didn’t know an hour earlier. Half the time, I have trouble getting them to stop so we can wrap up. This fall, we took it one step further and held a full networking session on campus. The point was to give students a real place to pround. 50 people joined us. A great mix of alumni and students, light refreshments, and a room full of conversations. Students tried out the skills they learned, and alumni stepped in with encouragement and advice. That’s exactly why these sessions matter: students learn how to network, and alumni get to inspire the next group coming up behind them.actice and to connect them with DVC alumni working in all kinds of fields. When students meet alumni who sat in the same classrooms and walked the same halls, it changes how they see their own path. It shows them what’s possible—and it gives them real examples of how successful people built their careers. Around 50 people joined us. A great mix of alumni and students, light refreshments, and a room full of conversations. Students tried out the skills they learned, and alumni stepped in with encouragement and advice. That’s exactly why these sessions matter: students learn how to network, and alumni get to inspire the next group coming up behind them. We’ll do it again in the spring. I hope to see even more of you there! < Previous Next >

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

Directed Gift Giving Program Giving Our programs are the heart of DVC. From athletics to music, each program helps fund a vital part of students' passions. Your gift powers these systems, allowing students to thrive in their passions. See the List Scholarship Giving Scholarships empower students by easing financial stress, allowing them to focus on their education and pursue their passions. Your gift is an investment in their future, helping them achieve their dreams. See the List

Steve Fernando Board Member | Regional Sales Manager at Cisco Steve serves on the Board of Directors for the Diablo Valley College Foundation and works as a Regional Sales Manager at Cisco. With a strong foundation in electrical engineering and technical sales, he currently leads teams focused on the State, Local, and Education (SLED) markets. Steve brings over a decade of experience in the networking and semiconductor industries, having held key leadership roles at Texas Instruments and Cisco Meraki. He leverages his expertise in technology strategy and team development to support the Foundation’s goal of advancing educational opportunities for all students. <- Back to Roster

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

Itzel Gutierrez Board Member | Administrative Assistant in the Student Veterans' Resource Center (SVRC) at DVC Itzel serves on the Board of Directors for the Diablo Valley College Foundation and works as an Administrative Assistant for the Student Veteran Resource Center at DVC. A proud first-generation college graduate and DVC alumna, she earned her B.A. in Communication Studies from San José State University. Itzel is passionate about using communication to inspire change, bringing experience from her roles in marketing and community outreach. As a former Diamante Scholar, she is dedicated to paying it forward by helping students navigate their educational journeys and access vital resources. <- Back to Roster