Our Inspiration
Alumna On The Move
Brenda Shows meaning of grit
It was two years ago that Brenda Ace Arreola, 32, began her journey at Hartnell College as a psychology major. Not many knew it then, but she had just given birth to her daughter, and her family of four was homeless.
"I am so thankful to everyone here at Hartnell College for so many resources I had access to while I navigated the personal challenges with being back in school," Brenda said. "I was really nervous at first, but then I felt a sense of comfort."
It was her calm and jovial personality that allowed her to navigate her academics. She enjoyed the classes, although most of them online, but had to worry about where her family would sleep daily. Services in the county helped temporarily.
Brenda has two younger brothers who look up to her. Her parents divorced when she was 16, but they have always been supportive and encouraging of higher education. She married Mario 11 years ago and had their first son, Andre. Her daughter Nichole is two and was recently diagnosed with autism.
She received her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) education and worked at Eden Valley in Soledad for a little while, but she felt called to go back to school. She received her Health Information and Patient Service Certification from a trade college. She landed a job at a surgeon's office and found it interesting to work with patients and to inform them about the services they were about to experience. She showed care and kindness.
"I learned I like the psychological aspect of nursing - I have seen both sides," she said. "My daughter's condition has motivated me even more because what I am learning in the classroom, I am able to use to help her now - I want to do the same for others too."
During her two years at Hartnell, she has been homeless. Along with her husband, son, and daughter, they have gone from hotels, to car, to shelters, to friends' couches. All this, while navigating college.
Her struggles exemplify the challenges with affordable housing in the area. Although her husband is working, they have not been able to secure a new rental.
It was the Hartnell College Foundation, EOPS, Office of Basic Needs, and a part-time job in Human Resources that kept her family fed and sheltered. She was a scholar for WELI (Women Empowerment Leadership Institute) and received multiple scholarships, plus support with books, food, and transportation.
She had a goal to finish her associates and transfer to the university, and with her support system at home and at Hartnell, she was able to accomplish that.
In May, Brenda graduated from Hartnell College with an associate's degree in psychology. She is transferring to CSU Monterey Bay to continue with her studies. She is hoping to get student family housing there.
"The scholarships saved me," she said. "I want to thank the Foundation for thinking about all of us students - you have no idea of the impact you have on students, and for that I am forever grateful."
Aspen Rising Presidents Fellows
Congratulations Dr. Cruz and Dr. Pitman!
The Hartnell College Foundation is proud to announce that Dr. Jackie Cruz, Vice President of Advancement at Hartnell College and Executive Director of the Hartnell College Foundation, and Dr. Gayle Pitman, Vice President of Research, Effectiveness, and Success at Hartnell have been selected to be two of 40 Aspen Rising Presidents Fellows this year.
"I'm incredibly honored and grateful to be selected as an Aspen Rising Presidents Fellow, joining 39 remarkable leaders from community colleges across the country," said Dr. Cruz. "This prestigious program is not just an opportunity for leadership growth - it's a collective commitment to driving reforms that improve student completion, degree attainment, and postsecondary success for the communities we serve."
This national fellowship brings together leaders from community colleges who are committed to advancing student success and equity across the country.
"This fellowship offers a unique space to reflect on what it means to lead a college through innovation and change, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to grow alongside a national network of leaders and changemakers," said Dr. Pitman. "I look forward to strengthening the leadership skills needed to create meaningful, lasting impact, and to advance social and economic mobility for our students and community."
Dr. Pitman and Dr. Cruz are proud to represent Hartnell College, an institution that holds itself accountable to the students and the community through innovation, access, momentum, and post-graduation success.
In Memoriam
Remembering Jerri Nemiro
April 27, 1954 - June 7, 2025
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our former colleague, Jerri Louise Nemiro who served as an art instructor at Hartnell College from 1986 to 2017. Over her 31-year tenure, she helped shape the college's art education and was a key contributor to the development of the digital arts program, where she taught for several years before retiring. Many will remember Jerri for her creative talents, kind spirit, and deep love for the arts, her students, colleagues, and the community.
Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with Jerri's family, friends, and loved ones during this time.
Alumna Spotlight
Alondra found hope at Hartnell
"I loved being at Hartnell — I will miss it here," said an enthusiastic Alondra Pena Gomez, 20. She graduated from Hartnell College in May with an AA in Criminal Justice.
Alondra is continuing her educational path at Sonoma State University this fall. She aims to continue her education, become a lawyer, and advocate for the less fortunate.
But her path to this moment has not been easy. At an early age, her parents divorced, and she moved from Salinas to Chicago with her mom. For a while, she moved to Mexico, and then she realized she needed to be with her dad.
"Salinas felt like home," she said. "Plus, my dad was there and had become my number one support system — he always encouraged me, and I needed to be with him."
Alondra graduated from Salinas High and registered at Hartnell. Her dad did his best at home, but work was inconsistent. She found resources offered to students through the Hartnell College Foundation.
"The Foundation has supported me with everything!" She said. "I learned they were there to help me, and I also learned not to be embarrassed to accept the help."
That included rent support, gift cards to buy necessities, food from the pantry, scholarships, and more.
While at Hartnell, she worked at the DSPS office and the office of Basic Needs, plus she was a WELI Scholar and a Salinas Valley Promise Scholar.
"My dad is so proud," she said. "'Yo sabía que tu podrías lograrlo y solo necesitabas un empujón,' he said to me." ( I knew you could do it, but you needed a push.)
Alondra looks forward to traveling in the future, and Italy is on her bucket list. She wants to make sure her dad is taken care of and for him to enjoy his retirement.
"I felt supported at Hartnell, and I thank all the donors who give their resources to students like me; like them, I will pay it forward," she said.
Our Executive Director
Dr. Jackie Cruz receives accolades
At USC's commencement this year, Hartnell College Foundation Executive Director Dr. Jackie Cruz was honored with one of four Dissertations of Distinction . Last year, Dr. Cruz received her EdD in Organizational Change and Leadership with her dissertation titled 'A Gap Analysis to Find Best Practices in Philanthropy to Support California's Community Colleges and Offer Potential Solutions to Close Performance Gaps.'
The award aims to recognize outstanding, Rossier mission-aligned research relevant to organizational change and leadership. Among several strong nominations received by the USC EdD Program Office, Dr. Cruz stood out and was selected as one of the best.
On May 6, 2025, Dr. Jackie Cruz was recognized at Latina Action Day by the Hispanas Organized for Political Equality in Sacramento as a Latina Advocate selected by Speaker Robert Rivas. This honor recognized her work to ensure Latinas reach economic and political parity. She was one of 11 chosen in California.
Congratulations to Dr. Cruz for representing the Hartnell College Foundation and its community well and always advocating for students.
Yoshiko Matsushita-Arao, in Her Element
In 1997, Dr. Yoshiko Matsushita-Arao joined Hartnell College as a psychology professor. At the time, she questioned whether it was the right move—she had no professional experience in the field. But she knew she had found her calling just one year into teaching.
"I just knew this was my dream job; this is what I am meant to do," she said. "I'm so grateful they took a chance on me — I really love what I do."
That passion for teaching shines through in every aspect of her work. Dr. Matsushita-Arao takes pride in delivering a high-quality education to her students each semester. She carefully designs her curriculum, brings in thoughtful guest speakers, and actively mentors students through her role as advisor to the Psychology Club.
For many years, Dr. Matsushita-Arao invited guest speakers Al and Jane Nakatani from Hawaii to share their stories of resilience and healing. Their message—based on their book Honor Thy Children, which chronicles the loss of their three sons within eight years—deeply resonated with psychology students and the broader campus community. Through these powerful talks, students witnessed how grief and hope can coexist.
Beyond her outstanding role as faculty, Dr. Matsushita-Arao is also a generous supporter of the Hartnell College Foundation. She has proudly been a member of the President's Circle for over a decade.
"I have the greatest respect and admiration for the Foundation," she said. "They are so connected to the community, and it shows in the overwhelming support they receive for student success."
Born and raised in Seaside, Dr. Matsushita-Arao began her academic journey at Monterey Peninsula College. She later transferred to Fresno State University to complete her bachelor's degree and earned her master's and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from UC Santa Barbara.
"I had a great experience with amazing professors at MPC, and I told myself—that's the level I want to teach at someday," she said.
She grew up in a Japanese-American family alongside her older brother, Ted, and older sister, Yuri. All three siblings attended MPC, but Yoshiko was the only one to pursue a graduate degree.
While at MPC, Dr. Matsushita-Arao played on the Women's Volleyball team, helping the team win the Division II State Championship both years—a record achievement for the college. In 2016, she was inducted into the MPC Lobo Hall of Fame in recognition of her athletic and academic accomplishments.
She met her husband, James, in junior high. They began dating in high school and married soon after. Now married for 33 years, they have one son, Bruce, who is pursuing dual master's degrees in public policy and public health at UC Berkeley.
Dr. Matsushita-Arao beams with pride when she talks about her son and hopes he finds a profession that inspires him as much as teaching inspires her.
"I love what I do," she said. "Graduation is one of my favorite moments to share with my students every year. Celebrating their success means everything to me."
HCF eNewsletter stories March 2025
EMPOWERED BY WELI
Dulce finds community and opportunity
As the oldest of five, Dulce Madrigal, 21, has always felt a sense of responsibility in the choices that she makes because these might impact her siblings. When she graduated from Salinas High School in 2022, she entered Hartnell College as a Political Science and Economics major setting the tone for higher education.
Dulce is a first-generation college student; one of her sisters has already followed in her footsteps and is attending college in Arizona, and another is starting in the fall. "I have to be that guide for my siblings to go to college," she said. At Hartnell, she joined the Women's Education & Leadership Institute (WELI) program.
She is the selected student speaker for this year's WELI Soiree on March 8th. "I have learned so much being a part of WELI," she said. "The entire program gave me a sense of belonging and one thing that resonated with me was the importance of making intentional goals."
With this support and encouragement, Dulce formed the Girls Lacrosse Club at Hartnell. She was a part of lacrosse at Salinas High and brought that knowledge to her club to empower and build confidence.
"I volunteered during the primaries in one presidential election and that's how my interest in civic engagement began," she said. "I like the sense of community here as a member of student government, the different perspectives, and having a dialogue about what's going on in the world."
WELI was founded in early 2011 by community leaders who saw a need to advance the education and economic status of women and families in Monterey County. The WELI program consists of summer leadership training, an on-campus student-led club, mentorship with community leaders, and a $2,500 financial award per student, making this a life-changing experience.
Being in WELI also instilled in Dulce the desire to return to her love for music. She plays the violin and flute for the Hartnell Orchestra now.
"My parents are my #1 supporters – they inspired me to love music, and they have been there with me every step of the way," she said. Dulce will graduate with two associate degrees in May and hopes to attend UCLA in the fall. Her goal is to pursue a master's degree in political science.
Since its inception, WELI has graduated more than 2,500 scholars just like Dulce and has granted approximately $600,000 in scholarships. On March 8, 2025, the Hartnell College Foundation presents the 2025 WELI Soiree. For information, to be a sponsor, or to purchase tickets, go to www.hartnellfoundation.org/welisoiree/.
