Big Day of Giving

Innovation Funds Support the ARC Design Hub

Amanda Baker is a student in the geographic information system (GIS) program at American River College. Nicknamed the “Data Drone Curator” of the ARC Design Hub, Amanda is already charting her own course.

She’s been talking about the innovative ways she might employ drone technology as an intern at CalTrans in the Climate Change and Smart Mobility Department. Amanda says, "My internship at the Design Hub has given me skills that I can apply to a future career. It's so much more than school projects – it's learning by doing work for actual clients who might hire you in the future."

Amanda is in the process of obtaining her drone pilot license, so she was excited when she learned that the ARC Design Hub's Drone Pilot Program received Innovation Grant funds from the Office of Philanthropy. This funding helps provide paid internships for ARC Design Hub students and purchase drones and other equipment.

Amanda says, “The more we can get the word out about the Design Hub, the better – it’s a wonderful thing. I have learned so much there, and they have so much going on with drones, animation, and 3D scanning. It’s giving me real skills that I can apply to my future career.”

Mini-Grant Sends CRC MESA Students to Leadership Retreat

At Cosumnes River College, the MESA program provides math, engineering, and science academic development to underrepresented community college students. The goal is to help them excel academically and transfer to four-year institutions as science, engineering, and math majors. This support is crucial in helping students from low-performing high schools reach their academic potential and become technical professionals.

Because of donors like you, the MESA Program received a mini-grant to help them attend the Student Leadership Retreat (SLR). The SLR is chance for community college students to interact, network, and build leadership skills with other MESA students. This leadership and skill-building conference features hands-on STEM sessions, including chemistry study, engineering design, and coding.

CRC student Jun Li says, "The MESA Student Leadership Retreat provided us a platform to expand our network beyond just our own community. I befriended students all over California. We collaborated to solve problems and learned about interesting subjects that we would otherwise not be able to learn. But most importantly, my fellow MESA members shared stories that resonated with my experience and motivated me to be a better leader."

Student Emergency Fund Helps FLC Student Stay in School

Guelta grew up on a farm in Haiti and saw how hard her friends and family struggled to grow their crops and feed their families. She was determined to change that. She came to Folsom Lake College as an International Student with the goal of becoming a plant scientist in order to do research that would help less fortunate and under-represented farmers in poor countries like Haiti.

She is not only the first in her family to get a college degree, but the first to come to the United States. When an emergency hit her sponsor family, she thought that was going to be the end of her dreams. The Student Emergency Fund was able to provide immediate funding that kept her in school.

Guelta has since transferred to UC Davis to continue her education and says, “My educational pursuits would not be possible without generous support from donors like you. Thank you for giving me this opportunity!”

Scholarships Help SCC Student Attend Dream School

Katie was uninspired in high school, resulting in lackluster grades. Regardless, she applied to several colleges. The rejection letters came, and her prospects narrowed to one: Sacramento City College.

She had low expectations of SCC, a school that admits anyone. However, stimulating exchanges between her peers and professor shattered her preconceptions immediately. Katie realized that if she wanted to transfer to a university, then coasting was not an option and she was going to have to work hard to succeed.

Katie gained confidence at SCC and developed a voice for advocacy and curiosity for social justice. Her academic record earned her several scholarships, which boosted her belief in her own abilities and removed some financial barriers.

The results were vastly different the second time she applied to universities, and she amassed a collection of admission letters. Best of all, she earned a place at her dream school, UC Berkeley, and she accepted their invitation with pride.

Reflecting on her experiences at SCC, she says, “Throughout my entire academic career, I received more care and attention from the SCC staff than I ever thought possible. I never felt alone in my times of struggle. I always felt as though I had somewhere, and someone, to turn to for guidance and support.” She credits SCC for her transformation: “Attending SCC was by far the best decision I have made in my entire life.”