Foundation
Victor Bolan Jr. Came Back to Make a Difference
Victor Bolan Jr. was born and raised in Richmond. Like many of his peers, he came to Contra Costa College (CCC) after high school unsure of what path he wanted to take. “I was just doing small courses here and there,” Victor says. “Sometimes part-time, sometimes...
New CCC Foundation Funds Back Campus Improvements, Student Support
You might notice a few interesting improvements around the Contra Costa College campus this year, like soundproofing of the tutoring area, and a new state-of-the-art drinking fountain in the Student Services Building. Those are just two of the eight projects being funded in 2019 through the...
Genirberg Family Scholarship Established with $50,000 Gift to CCC Foundation
On a dreary February day in 2018, Contra Costa College Foundation Director Sara Marcellino answered her phone. Sam Genirberg, a 93-year-old Jewish activist and resident of El Cerrito, was on the other line. He was calling in response to a personal note he had received from...
Scholarships Created in Memory of Richmond Resident Whose Estate Gifted $835,000 to CCC Foundation
The Contra Costa College Foundation has received a gift of $835,000 from the estate of Geraldine M. Packard. The donation will fund 12 annual scholarships through the newly established Packard-Zell Scholarship Fund. “We are thrilled to be able to support even more students from our community...
Meet 2018 Study Abroad Scholar Jonathon Torres
The Contra Costa Community College District has a great study abroad program – but some years, no one from CCC applies at all! Retired Chancellor Dr. Helen Benjamin and retired Senior Dean of Research & Development Tim Clow want more students to be able to take advantage...
Supporting the Students That I Cared So Much For: A Bequest to the CCC Foundation
I was introduced to Contra Costa College (CCC) when I was a one-year sabbatical leave replacement. I was then lucky enough to get hired full-time the following year. While my work life at CCC spanned everything from reference librarianship to teaching German, directing the choir to...
‘No One Can Take An Education Away’
Iracema Camargo Garcia has faced challenges that most of us can’t fathom. “I suffered a lot in my country,” she remembers. But Iracema is a fighter. No matter what challenges faced her, she persevered. Iracema emigrated from Mexico when she was 20 years old. “It was...
‘I Was Able to Overcome What I Imagined to Be Impossible’
Josielyn Bustamante plans to become a civil engineer, in order to help others. “My aspiration,” Josielyn explains, “is to one day be able to help communities meet their basic human needs.” “Being a civil engineer will allow me to be able to design and build ways...
Kristin Lobos Found Self-Confidence at CCC
Kristin Lobos didn’t come to CCC for an associate degree. Inspired by her daughter’s struggle, Kristin had planned on earning a certificate in addiction treatment. “I had been through this experience with my daughter,” Kristin explains, “and I wanted to help other families. I did some...
Emergency Fund Helps Students Stay in School
Mayra Magana came to Contra Costa College to take English as a Second Language courses and pursue higher education. But she hasn’t had consistent access to a computer, which made doing coursework difficult. “I cannot stay here to use these computers,” she explains, “because...