< Back A Legacy That Lives in Creativity: There are many ways to remember someone. Some are quiet. Some are personal. And sometimes, a legacy becomes something that keeps moving—something that creates opportunity for others. This year, the Diablo Valley College Foundation is proud to announce the Eva Cohen Endowed Memorial Internship in Digital Arts —a tribute that does exactly that. Made possible through a $130,000 gift from Eva’s family , this endowment will fund a paid internship every semester for a DVC student pursuing digital arts. Each student selected will have the chance to create, design, and tell stories through their work—building real-world experience while carrying forward the creative energy that defined Eva. What makes this especially meaningful is that this is the first time the Foundation has endowed a student position , not just a scholarship. It’s a simple but powerful shift—from supporting access to education, to supporting the experience of it. And in that shift, something special happens. A student isn’t just helped—they’re given a role. A chance to contribute. A chance to create something that didn’t exist before. That vision was brought to life in partnership with Joann Denning, Area Chair of DVC Art & Photography , whose leadership helped shape an internship that is rooted in both artistic exploration and career readiness. Together with Eva’s family, this effort reflects a shared belief: that creativity matters, that opportunity matters, and that both can live on long after we’re gone. Because this is an endowed fund, the impact doesn’t fade. Each semester, a new student will step into this internship. Each semester, new ideas will take shape. Each semester, Eva’s legacy will continue—quietly, powerfully—through the work of students discovering their own voice. It’s a reminder that the most meaningful legacies aren’t just remembered. They’re lived. Previous Next

< Back President’s Circle: Where Generosity Becomes Momentum for Student Success At Diablo Valley College, student success rarely follows a straight line. Some students balance classes with two jobs. Others are the first in their families to attend college. Many are navigating responsibilities that stretch far beyond campus. And yet, every semester, they show up—ready to keep moving forward. Behind that steady progress is a steady source of support: the President’s Circle of the Diablo Valley College Foundation. President’s Circle members make leadership gifts of $1,000 or more annually. Those gifts provide flexible funding that allows the Foundation to respond quickly and thoughtfully when opportunity—or challenge—arises. And in higher education, timing matters. Flexibility That Changes Trajectories Unlike restricted funding tied to a single purpose, President’s Circle gifts give the Foundation the ability to act where the need is greatest. Sometimes that means helping a student accept a career-building internship. Sometimes it means bridging a short-term financial gap that could otherwise derail enrollment. Sometimes it means strengthening a program that prepares students for real-world work in engineering, digital arts, health sciences, and emerging industries. Because these gifts are flexible, they meet students in real time. A student doesn’t have to wait for the next funding cycle. A faculty partner doesn’t have to scale back a learning experience. An unexpected bill doesn’t automatically become the end of a semester. President’s Circle donors make it possible to respond—not react. “President’s Circle support gives us the ability to step in at critical moments—ensuring a temporary obstacle does not become a permanent setback for a DVC student.” Sustaining the Learning Journey Student success at DVC is not built in a single semester. It unfolds over time. Leadership gifts support scholarships that keep students enrolled. They advance experiential learning that connects classroom knowledge to hands-on practice. They help fund emergency assistance when life takes an unexpected turn. Over time, this layered support creates something powerful: continuity. Students move from classroom to internship. From internship to transfer. From transfer to career. And many return as alumni who mentor, hire, and give back. That is the long arc of learning—and President’s Circle members help sustain it. A Legacy That Extends Beyond Today When donors join the President’s Circle, they are not simply making an annual gift. They are strengthening a culture of responsiveness and opportunity at DVC. Their leadership: Builds institutional resilience Expands access for first-generation and underserved students Ensures the Foundation can move quickly when opportunity appears Reinforces the belief that no student should miss out due to temporary financial hardship Each spring, President’s Circle members gather for a Recognition Breakfast—a moment to hear directly from students, reflect on shared impact, and look ahead to what sustained generosity can accomplish next. But the true celebration happens quietly, semester after semester, as students persist, graduate, transfer, and launch careers. That is the legacy. Join the President’s Circle A leadership gift of $1,000 or more qualifies you as a President’s Circle member for the current giving year. Thank you to those who have already made their leadership gift to become a President’s Circle member. We look forward to celebrating you at our annual President’s Circle Recognition Breakfast on Friday, May 8 at 7:45 a.m. in the Norseman at DVC. If you have not yet joined, we invite you to lead with us. More than recognition, President’s Circle membership is an investment in sustained student success. It ensures that generosity continues to become momentum—semester after semester, student after student. Become a President’s Circle member today. < Previous Next >

< Back Finding His Way Back: Jim Blair, Executive Director at the Foundation November, 2025 A Message from Jim Blair, Executive Director at the DVC Foundation. Dear Veterans, Thirty-six years ago, I was discharged from the United States Army and landed at Diablo Valley College. Those who've never served won't know the adjustment needed between military and civilian life. From a very regimented life of near constant work with little time off, I had landed in a world where self-determination and leisure time were the new reality. This was the late 1980s, and while I didn't face the poor reception our Vietnam veterans received, there weren't any celebrations around my return to the civilian world. I didn't expect or need any. However, there was also very little support for my transition back to the world. On the campus, I was expected to find my own way. After years of being told what to do, this was difficult. Now, the life on campus for returning veterans is much different, and it should be. After two decades of nearly constant conflict, our newer veteran students land at the college and have a considerable amount of support services. With those services, I can report that they are some of the highest performing students on campus and often transfer to elite colleges when they leave here. I want to take this Veterans Day to thank all of our donors because without you, we would not be able to support our student veterans as they make their return to the civilian world. It's because of people like you that we've been able to create the services that our veterans deserve after they complete their service to our country. We're now building out a new space for veterans on campus, and your continued support of these programs will ensure that we can create a space on campus that allows them to study and receive the support services they deserve. If you have a desire to assist with this buildout, please contact Thom Martin in the Foundation office, and he will work with you to maximize your impact. To our donors that have served, I wish you the best this Veterans Day. Jim Blair Executive Director Diablo Valley College Foundation Previous Next

< Back Leadership in Action President’s Circle Breakfast Connects Donors with Student Success The annual President’s Circle Recognition Breakfast offered a powerful reminder that philanthropy is ultimately about people. Held before the Scholarship Awards Ceremony, the breakfast brought together President’s Circle members, college leaders, and student scholars for a morning of conversation, reflection, and gratitude. Guests heard directly from students whose educational journeys have been shaped by scholarships, experiential learning opportunities, and other forms of support made possible through donor generosity. Their stories highlighted both the challenges students face and the remarkable achievements they accomplish when given the opportunity to succeed. Throughout the event, donors sat alongside students, creating conversations that extended far beyond the formal program. The atmosphere reflected the strong sense of community that exists at Diablo Valley College—a community built on leadership, generosity, and a shared belief in the transformative power of education. For many attendees, the most memorable part of the morning was hearing firsthand how their support has helped students overcome obstacles, pursue ambitious goals, and prepare for meaningful careers. The breakfast served as a reminder that every contribution helps create opportunities for students to develop their talents, build confidence, and realize their potential. To our President’s Circle members and all who support DVC students, thank you for your leadership and commitment to student success. < Previous Next >

< Back Campus Corners: The Brand-New Engineering and Technology Building Let's take a visit to the brand-new ET Building! Just beyond the Veterans Center, where our student veterans find camaraderie, counseling, and a sense of belonging, the fenced-off area ahead marks a different kind of commitment: a new 32,500-square-foot Engineering Technology Building, now officially under construction. I like to stand on the top of the steepest stairs in county each morning and watch the construction unfold. It’s a great view from there and not because I’m winded. The groundbreaking ceremony held on October 15 marked the beginning of a bold new chapter in DVC’s investment in innovation. Funded by the 2014 Measure E bond, this $56.8 million facility is scheduled to open in fall 2027 and will house programs in engineering, construction, architecture, electronics, energy systems, and industrial design. With dedicated labs for 3D printing, CNC and CAD technology, robotics, and more, the building is designed to deliver hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for in-demand careers in automation, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. DVC President Dr. Monica Chahal described the project as a direct investment in California’s innovation economy, supported by key partnerships with employers and industry advisors. If you're interested in seeing the build, you can monitor progress here: Live Cams | Clark/Sullivan Construction . As I continue my walk toward the Student Union, the scene shifts—but the energy doesn’t. Inside the Union, students gather at the Basic Needs Center to access the food pantry, get referrals for housing and transportation assistance, or just find a quiet space to catch their breath. This is where wrap-around support lives—in a place where students don’t just survive college, but are supported in every aspect of it. And in nearby corners of the campus, learning labs continue to come alive—places where students are not just studying, but doing. Whether through music, engineering, or peer mentoring, they’re practicing the skills that will shape their futures. Today’s short stroll—from the place where we honor those who’ve served, to the place where students find daily support, to the structure now rising in between—says a lot about who we are at DVC: a college building strong foundations while helping students launch into what’s next. < Previous Next >

< Back This Month in History Black History, Community Colleges, and the Work of Access at DVC February and March invite us to look both backward and forward. Black History Month reminds us that access to education has never been guaranteed. It has been demanded, defended, and built over generations. Community colleges, including Diablo Valley College, are part of that living story—institutions grounded in the belief that opportunity should not depend on zip code, income, or circumstance. The history we reflect on in February and March is not abstract. It shows up on our campus in real and measurable ways From Student Activism to Student Voice When students in Greensboro sat at a segregated lunch counter on February 1, 1960, they demonstrated that students are not passive participants in history. They are authors of it. At DVC today, that same spirit is visible in programs like Umoja. This spring’s Umoja Transfer Panel , held in honor of Black History Month, featured former Umoja students who have successfully transferred and are now completing degrees or graduate programs  . Their stories are more than inspiration. They are proof that structured support, culturally responsive mentorship, and intentional community change outcomes. Your support makes that possible. Programs like Umoja do not simply celebrate history—they extend it. From Reconstruction to Public Education for All The Reconstruction Acts of March 1867 laid the groundwork for public education systems in the South. They reinforced the principle that education is a public good, worthy of public investment. Community colleges were built on that same foundation. At DVC, that commitment is visible in the ways we invest in faculty mentorship and applied learning. Through Foundation-supported initiatives like Project-Based Learning, faculty advisors guide students through structured, real-world projects with supervision and accountability built into the experience  . This is access with intention. It is not enough for doors to be open. Students must also be supported once they walk through them. Preserving and Expanding the Historical Record Black history is not only something to commemorate. It is something to document and preserve. This year, the DVC Library invited students and employees to engage with exhibits highlighting local Black history and civil rights movements, artwork from the African Diaspora, and curated book collections  . The Black History Month Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon offered a hands-on way to improve the public historical record and ensure stories are accurately represented. This matters. The work of equity includes whose stories are told—and who tells them. Why This Work Must Continue to Grow Community colleges were created to expand access. But access alone does not guarantee equity. It requires ongoing investment in transfer pathways, mentorship, culturally grounded programs, and experiential learning. When donors support the DVC Foundation, they are not simply funding events or programs. They are strengthening systems that increase transfer rates, build belonging, and prepare students for leadership beyond our campus. They are helping ensure that the legacy of Black educational advancement continues not just in February, but year-round. The milestones of February and March remind us that educational progress has always required courage and commitment. At DVC, that commitment is visible in Umoja panels, library exhibits, faculty mentorship, and the steady work of access. And with continued partnership from our community, that work will grow. Because history is not only something we remember. It is something we build—together. < Previous Next >

< 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 >

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< Back From Syllabi to Service: How One Semester Can Launch a Legacy February,2026 A chance info session and a districtwide pitch win launched Anya Gupta from classroom networking to a community-minded startup and multiple civic leadership seats When the semester begins, many students focus on syllabi and schedules. For Anya Gupta, this spring started with a spontaneous pitch, $1,000 prize, and new leadership roles on regional boards — a chain of opportunities that turned a campus idea, Wellness Pulse, into real-world impact and civic service. Donors, alumni, and campus programs power the long arc that makes stories like hers possible. When the semester calendar flips open, most students are threading syllabi into binders and scanning schedules. For Anya Gupta, this spring began with a different kind of first week: a winning pitch, new leadership seats on regional boards, and the momentum of opportunities seeded at Diablo Valley College. Anya hadn’t planned to enter the districtwide pitch competition. She stopped by an info session (there was free pizza) and, on a whim, built a 20-slide pitch that became Wellness Pulse — an anonymous, short-form platform to surface how students and community members are feeling so leaders can intervene early. Selected as a finalist, Anya presented before local mayors, investors, and transit leaders — and won. The prize stipend helped her expand Wellness Pulse beyond campus pilots; the recognition opened seats on BART’s security committee, the Contra Costa County Behavioral Health Board (where she’s been nominated for chair), and the MTC advisory group. Anya’s story is a clear arc from classroom to community: a networking workshop in a single semester pushed her out of her comfort zone, club advising and campus programs gave her places to practice, and campus-run competitions and partnerships supplied the funding and visibility to scale an idea into civic impact. Along the way she’s also been part of the Educational Strategic Plan task force shaping DVC’s goals through 2031 — bringing a student voice to decisions that will affect future cohorts. This is the long arc donors and alumni help sustain. Legacy gifts, endowed internships, program support, and community partnerships don’t just fund one semester’s activities — they create touchpoints where ambition meets resources, where a spontaneous pitch can become a public-health tool, and where a classroom encounter becomes a lifetime of service. Anya’s wins — stipend, board nominations, and growing collaborations with local nonprofits — trace back to a campus ecosystem supported by alumni mentors, faculty advisors, and community funders. For alumni and donors: your continued investment pays forward in ways that ripple for years. The next student who walks into an info session, signs up for a club, or accepts a small stipend may be the person whose idea strengthens transit safety, improves county mental-health response, or helps shape the college’s next five-year strategy. Help keep that arc going. Support DVC programs that connect learning to real-world leadership: fund student stipends and pitch competitions, mentor student clubs, or contribute to endowed internships that turn remembrance into momentum. Every gift and every volunteer hour turns a single semester into a legacy of impact. Previous Next

See Planned Giving Leave a Legacy Beyond Your Life

< 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 Celebrating the Ongoing Impact of the DVC Retirees' Association August, 2025 Learn about the DVC Retirees' Association! 11 scholarships. 11 stories of Perseverance, Purpose, and Promise. For decades, the Diablo Valley College Retirees Association has led the way in funding scholarships that help students pursue their educational dreams. Through their sustained generosity, they have consistently provided more scholarship support than any other individual, endowment, or organization at DVC. This year, 11 students received scholarships from the Retirees Association—each one a powerful expression of belief in student potential. These scholarships don’t just pay tuition or cover books. They affirm, they motivate, and they remind students that someone believes in them. Here are just a few of the voices whose lives have been impacted: “DVC and the Umoja community have helped me better understand my identity, history, and the power of education. This scholarship reminds me that my efforts are seen and supported—and encourages me to keep pushing forward.” - Edward “Through my battle with addiction, I found the strength to change and a deep passion to help others do the same. Your support is helping me become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker—so I can show others that transformation is possible.” -Julien “I'm finally going to be able to grow my education and transfer to a four-year college” -Bruna “This scholarship has allowed me to dedicate more time to both my studies and my community. As the first in my family to attend college, I am grateful for the opportunity to keep pursuing my dream of becoming a nurse practitioner.” -Justin To the members of the DVC Retirees Association: your legacy grows with every student you uplift. Thank you for continuing to believe in our students—and for making it possible for them to believe in themselves. Let's continue to support our students. Visit the DVCRA in "Directed Giving" to support our cause! Previous Next