Margaret D'Arrigo
Consistency and loyalty to our mission

Hartnell College has always been an important part of Margaret D'Arrigo's life. Since her early years, she recalls playing tennis with her dad on the courts, having season tickets to The Western Stage, and taking classes there.

"Hartnell was there in my backyard and I had an affinity for the college," she said.

About 22 years ago, she recalls learning about the lack of Ag programs at Hartnell and became involved with the Ag Steering Committee as one of the founding members. It was her goal to get others on board and find out the needs of the Ag industry to build programs that would benefit students and employers.

That's when her giving began. She became a loyal volunteer, mentor, and donor. In 2004, Margaret started a scholarship program in memory of her daughter, Alexis Claire, who had passed at just a few months old the previous year. Keeping her memory alive was just one way for her to cope with the loss and help others at the same time.

"It is my goal to support those who need that extra push to get through their education, especially Latinos and Latinas who don't always have that support at home," she said. "I am passionate about educating here and keeping talent here."

D'Arrigo has been a consistent donor and supporter of the Hartnell College Foundation for many years. One of her favorite programs to support is the Women's Education & Leadership Institute (WELI). "Women's empowerment is at the top of my list," she said.

"Margaret is a force of nature, generously giving her resources, time, talent, connections, and unmatched energy," said Dr. Jackie Cruz, Vice President of Advancement and Development at Hartnell College and Executive Director of Hartnell College Foundation. "She leads with heart and purpose, setting an inspiring example of what philanthropy looks like."

Her parents instilled in her a love of philanthropy. Andrew and Phyllis D'Arrigo adopted Margaret and her five siblings. She was the last to join the family. She graduated from Salinas High School, earned a bachelor's in agricultural & managerial economics from UC Davis, and a master's in business administration from CSU Monterey Bay.

She has held various positions in business, but what she is most proud of is her time as a board member of the Hartnell College Foundation, a Trustee of Hartnell College, and a Trustee of Salinas Valley Health. Currently, Margaret holds a seat as a Councilmember for the City of Salinas.

"I feel Hartnell and SVH prepared me for this role," she said. "There is more work, time, and responsibility involved."

In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, meeting with friends, walking, and going to the gym. But her most precious moments are those with her twins, Alex and Sterling, who are now 20. Each year, they plan a big trip for the three of them.

Without question, Margaret cares about the community, and her goal is to empower youth. She serves on the boards of Harmony At Home and Girls Inc., where she continues to advocate for "the future leaders of our community."

We are thrilled to honor Margaret as the Hartnell College Foundation Distinguished Honoree at this year's National Philanthropy Day for the Central Coast.

National Philanthropy Day
Celebrating our own

National Philanthropy Day for the Central Coast ison November 14, 2025, at The Inn at Spanish Bay. The Harnell College Foundation will be honored with the award for Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation of the Year.

The Foundation is also proud to announce that Hartnell student Emily Molina, 21, has been selected as the Outstanding Philanthropic Young Adult of the Year. She was nominated for her leadership and stewardship of a fundraising project. The Monterey YWCA was looking for support to fundraise for the Women's Domestic Violence wing. They reached out to the Psychology Club at Hartnell, and Emily took the lead. The Club sold succulents to raise funds for the YWCA.

"It was a team effort," she said. "Under the leadership of faculty member Dr. Yoshiko Matsushita-Arao, we became the big donor for this project."

Molina graduated from Rancho San Juan High School in 2022. She is now at Hartnell as a psychology major and plans to transfer to Sacramento State University next year.

"I want to become a clinical psychologist and work with adults, especially Latinos," she said. "There are a lot of misdiagnoses out there, and my goal is to fix that and also take away that stigma surrounding counseling."

She shared the struggles of generational depression in her own family. "No one could talk about it, and it was my mom who broke that cycle," she said. "My grandparents now understand too, and grandma is going to therapy to tackle some of the trauma she experienced in her early years."

Her goal is to return to Salinas and be involved in the community. Besides having her own practice, she plans to come back to Hartnell to teach.

"Hartnell has given me so much!" she said. "I've had resources, scholarships, academic support, and so much more - I am grateful."

The Foundation was proud to nominate Noland, Hamerly, Etienne & Hoss (NHEH) for Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation at this year's Philanthropy Day. The firm is well-known for its community service, supporting a wide array of local charitable, cultural, and educational organizations through Board service, participation in fundraising activities, hands-on volunteer work, and financial contributions. Congratulations to NHEH for being selected for this recognition.

Philanthropy Day promises to be an inspiring event honoring the good work and generosity of so many people in the community. We congratulate everyone who will be recognized at the event.

Advancing a Shared Vision

In a press conference on July 9, 2925, the Hartnell College Foundation and the National Steinbeck Center announced they have formally assumed ownership of the CSUMB Salinas City Center from Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB). The building will be renamed One Main Street. This marks a significant step in strengthening downtown Salinas through expanded educational access and regional partnerships.

The CSUMB Salinas City Center, home to the National Steinbeck Center, has served as a central hub for learning, cultural programs, and community engagement since 1998. Under the Hartnell College Foundation's leadership, One Main Street will continue to support expanded programming, provide community and industry event space and create opportunities for nonprofit collaborations and social innovations, all while remaining an anchor for downtown Salinas.

"The Hartnell College Foundation, CSUMB, and the National Steinbeck Center have worked together for over two decades to serve the Salinas Valley," said Dr. Jackie Cruz, vice president of institutional advancement and executive director of the Hartnell College Foundation. "With this transition, we're building on that foundation to meet the evolving needs of nonprofit organizations, students, professionals, regional economic drivers, and community members through expanded workforce development, continuing education, entrepreneurship, and short-form learning that aligns with local economic needs."

The National Steinbeck Center will continue to operate within the building, preserving its role as one of the nation's foremost literary museums dedicated to the life and legacy of Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck. The National Steinbeck Center will continue to serve its members and expand its youth programming at One Main Street.

"We are thrilled to embark on a new chapter for our community and the Steinbeck fans from around the world who come to Salinas to visit the National Steinbeck Center," said Steve Emerson, president of the National Steinbeck Center. "Our collaboration creates the opportunity to revitalize the National Steinbeck Center with enhanced bookstore and museum experiences, expanded programming for all ages."

Several key initiatives will also be headquartered at One Main Street, including:

Hartnell's K-12 STEM Programs, engaging nearly 10,000 youth annually in robotics, coding, and science learning.

Bright Futures Monterey County, the county's cradle-to-career partnership.

El Pájaro Community Development Corporation - kitchen incubator and entrepreneurship support for local food-based small businesses.

Monterey County Office of Education- temporary relocation of meal service operations, ensuring continuity of warm meals for thousands of students.

Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce - expanded business support and reignition of community events impacted by the pandemic.

"We have big dreams for One Main Street," added Cruz. "In the long term, we envision creating a community biotech lab, a space for local talent to innovate with tools and technologies usually only found in larger cities. We're planting the seeds for regional economic vitality."

"This transfer strengthens our ability to support economic development efforts in downtown Salinas and to offer more accessible education and training to the current workforce," said Michael Gutierrez, superintendent/president of Hartnell College.

CSUMB President Dr. Vanya Quiñones affirmed the university's support for the transition and added, "This move reflects our strong partnership and shared commitment to serve the region."

The building purchase was made possible through the generous philanthropic support of Taylor Farms, Harden Foundation, D'Arrigo Charitable Trust, and the Hartnell College Foundation Board.

"At Taylor Farms, we believe in investing in the future of our community through education, innovation, and collaboration," said Bruce Taylor, Chairman and CEO of Taylor Fresh Foods.

Record Number of High Schoolers See Future in STEAM

Hartnell College Foundation K-12 STEAM program celebrates the culmination of another successful NASA MAA (Murep Aerospace Academy) summer program.

This summer, the program started with more than 170 high school students who aimed to participate in the program over the course of six sessions held each week on Fridays, of interactive lessons and hands-on activities focused on acoustic damping in aerospace engineering. Students met at the Hartnell Alisal Campus daily with one cohort of 14 youth in King City.

"It has been my absolute pleasure to be part of this initiative over the past three years-a collaboration that truly reflects the shared mission of the Hartnell College Foundation, Hartnell College, and NASA," said Ana Ibarra, director of K-12 STEAM program at Hartnell College Foundation. "Engaging students through meaningful projects and field trips has been a deeply rewarding experience."

Over the course of three years, students have engaged in topics of hydrology, lunar rovers, and acoustic damping. They went on field trips to Elkhorn Slough, Monterey One Water, Farm NG, Joby Aviation, and the WeatherTech Raceway at Laguna Seca.

Hartnell College was one of only nine academic institutions selected to receive the NASA MUREP Aerospace Academy grant, and one of just two community colleges chosen nationwide. Thanks to the NASA award and the support of Chevron, Hartnell College has played a pivotal role in expanding youth exposure to careers in STEM. This grant has funded the summer program for high school students since 2023. However, Hartnell's partnership with NASA dates back to 2011, when it first received a NASA MAA award aimed at engaging 300 elementary students in aerospace careers. Over the years, this initiative has grown to impact thousands of students.

PROVEN IMPACT TO INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION

This year, two student Lead Technicians participated in the coordination of NASA MAA, Michael Oliver and Celeste Romero.

"If it wasn't for programs like this, I would not be where I am today," said Michael Oliver, 18, UC Berkeley. "As a lead now, I can show other students what NASA MAA is and where it can take them."

"I love it and it's fun," said Romero, 20, University of Phoenix. "At first it can be intimidating but once you start playing with things you start to learn how everything works - that's how it happened with me."

In the next five years, NASA anticipates needing one million workers to fulfill different projects and missions. With NASA MAA, the goal is to discover in youth talents they did not know existed in them and with or without a college degree, provide opportunities for hands-on control over the future.

Noe Lomeli

He was 11 years old when he came to the United States. He had to learn a new language and a new way of life. His dad passed away of cancer soon after and it was his mom who continued strong raising nine children.

"Mom is my biggest supporter - she is always cheering me on," said Noe Lomeli. His mom is 85 and lives with him in Santa Cruz County.

Noe entered the CSin3 (computer science in three years) program at Hartnell College and CSU Monterey Bay in 2015. He was part of Cohort 3 and earned a scholarship of $30,000 from the Matsui Foundation.

"It's life changing to get that kind of scholarship," he said. "I want to make Teresa Matsui proud and show her that what they do is changing lives - we want her to know their investment was worth it."

He was 35 when he entered the program. His life had been challenging, working multiple jobs and not being able to focus in his studies. He promised himself that he would go back to college, but he never imagined computer science would be his ticket to success.

"I did not even know what computer science was!" He exclaimed. "But CSin3 was exactly what I needed." The program provided him with a cohort, discipline, focus, fast-pace, and comradery. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in 2018.

He interned for Uber and worked for Heroku, a sub division of Salesforce. His experience showed him the value of networking and of determination.

"My time at Heroku changed my life," he said. "First, I had never imagined earning the salary they offered me and second, it opened up a world of opportunities and made me think of what else I could do with my skills here in my community."

He created a prototype of a robot with a camera that controls your pace as you jog or run. It was a project that led him to connect with Cohort 2 grad Benito Sanchez. They kept in touch all these years and Noe joined Benito's translation and interpretation company Nurbli. In less than two years, the company has grown from two to nice staff. They provide translation services for two types of Mixteco, Triqui, and Spanish.

"Benito and I knew we had the grit to do great things," he said. "I want to encourage Latinos to become curious about computer science - it takes work but it is so worth it."

David Rodríguez Muñoz

Disillusioned with school as a teenager in East Salinas, David Rodríguez Muñoz dropped out and earned his GED before working at Taylor Farms, packaging salads.

One late night in the company cafeteria, David realized he didn't want to continue down that path indefinitely. Though unsure of his next steps, he knew he needed to find a career that resonated with him. This led him to Hartnell College, where, after some initial struggles, he discovered his talent for photography. His photography teacher, Eric Bosler, was pivotal in nurturing David's interest and helping him find his focus and pathway. David credits Bosler as the "glue that kept him together" throughout his journey at Hartnell.

When David graduated with an Associate in Arts degree from Hartnell, he recalls the humorous moment when his name was called during the ceremony, and his degree was announced as "Photography?"-a memory that always makes him smile. Despite the lightheartedness, David was proud of his achievement and ready for the next chapter.

David continued his education at San Francisco State University, feeling well-prepared from his time at Hartnell and becoming the first in his family to seek a bachelor's degree. However, the long commute from Salinas to San Francisco each day limited his opportunities to network or participate in internships. Nonetheless, he completed his bachelor's degree in Photojournalism, though he worried about his job prospects due to the lack of professional connections.

Fortune smiled on David when a local opportunity arose. A partnership between The Salinas Californian and Catchlight offered a fellowship to support a staff photographer. Though he wasn't selected initially, the editor at The Salinas Californian took a chance on David and offered him a staff photographer position. He spent two and a half years covering local stories in the Salinas area.

In 2022, David received an offer of employment from the Detroit Free Press, one of the leading newspapers in the Midwest, marking a significant milestone in his career. One of his most notable visual narratives, "Life After", delves into the resilience of Amedy Dewey, who survived a harrowing gun violence attack at 18 and is now reclaiming her life. David has been recognized as a Fuente Latina Media Fellow, CatchLight Local Fellow, and John S. Knight Community Impact Fellow.

David has always aimed to use his photography to raise awareness of social inequities, a mission rooted in his own experiences growing up in Mexico and Salinas. He is especially proud of a five-part series on farmworkers in the Salinas Valley during the pandemic, which led to an outpouring of support for the individuals he featured.

Inspired by the mentors and role models who shaped his journey, David regularly shares his experiences with photography and journalism students, seeing it as a way to "pay it forward." His advice to Hartnell students is to "explore and take advantage of the resources" because the faculty and staff are there to support their growth.

David's photography and projects can be found at www.davidrodriguezmunoz.com .

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/.