< 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 >

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 !

< Back Alere: Food and Wine Symposium Diablo Valley College invites you to Alere, a unique food and wine symposium. The event takes place on the Pleasant Hill Campus. Unlike a traditional festival, this symposium focuses on interdisciplinary education. Aaron Prater, the Department Chair of Culinary Arts, oversees the program. He states the event provides a unique look at the science and craft of food. You will learn the science behind meals and wine through various educational sessions. Featured Sessions Bivalves and Bacteria: Learn the science behind the shell. Curds and Culture: Explore the science of great cheese. Little Chefs, Big Pizzas: A focus on culinary skills for younger audiences. Spice Odyssey: Take a journey through different flavors. The Future of Food: Gain an inside perspective on upcoming industry trends. Ticket Information $28 General Public: Admission for the community. $19 DVC Students: You must present a valid student ID at check-in to receive this rate. The DVC Culinary Arts program is renowned for being one of the best in the state. Graduates often work at famous restaurants like The French Laundry and Benu. This event demonstrates the hands-on learning and professional standards taught at the college. 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

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

Board Membership Without our board we cannot succeed. The work we do as a foundation is only possible with the strategic support we receive from our board leaders. Each year members of the community dedicate unpaid time to direct the work of the foundation and ensure that we are fulfilling our mission to support the students and programs of Diablo Valley College. The broader the base of our board leaders, the better equipped we are to ensure that the entire community is represented in the work we do. Please consider submitting a board application and joining us in this work. Let’s Work Together First name* Last name Email Phone Multi-line address Country/Region Address City Zip / Postal code Company name Position How did you hear about the DVC Foundation?* Are you an alum? If so, when did you attend and what was your focus?* Have you served on a nonprofit board before? If yes, which one(s)?* Why would you like to serve on the DVC Foundation board?* Beyond the board fiduciary responsibilities, all board members are expected to lead giving with membership to the President's Circle ($1,000 minimum gift each year.) Are you willing to commit to this requirement?* Yes No Regular meeting participation is necessary for the Foundation to succeed in it's mission to serve the students and programs at DVC. Are you willing to commit to attending monthly board and committee meetings? * Yes No Submit

< Back DVC Alumni Spotlight: Karrington’s Journey from DVC to Oxford October, 2025 From DVC to Oxford! Learn about Karrington's journey! 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. Previous Next

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

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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!

< Back Looking Ahead: Building Momentum for 2026–27 As Diablo Valley College prepares to welcome more than 40,000 students this fall, the need for Foundation support continues to grow. Each year, students arrive on campus with hopes, ambitions, and the determination to create better futures for themselves and their families. Many also face financial challenges that can stand in the way of their success. Looking ahead, the Foundation remains focused on expanding scholarships, strengthening experiential learning opportunities, supporting emergency assistance programs, and investing in initiatives that help students feel a sense of opportunity and belonging. Help us prepare for the upcoming academic year. New possibilities, new challenges, and new opportunities to make a difference. With your continued support, we will be ready to meet them. Donate Now to THE DVC FOUNDATION Programs like Diamanté Scholars, student emergency grants, internships, leadership development opportunities, and faculty-led experiential learning projects are helping students connect their education to meaningful careers and brighter futures. As enrollment continues to grow, so does the demand for these programs. Students are seeking more opportunities to gain real-world experience, receive financial support, and build connections that help them succeed both inside and outside the classroom. The generosity of our supporters has created tremendous momentum. Together, we have built pathways to success for thousands of students. Together, we will continue creating opportunities for the next generation of Vikings. The new academic year brings new possibilities, new challenges, and new opportunities to make a difference. With your continued support, we will be ready to meet them. Thank you for being part of this work and for helping make more possible every day. Previous Next

Projects Zero Carbon World This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Read More Desert Wildlife Conservation This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Read More Renewable Energy Program This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Read More Rainforest Action Initiative This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Read More