Cuesta College Foundation

10/13/2026

09/11/2026

Joan is an indelible force for good in our community, and we are so grateful for her friendship, generosity, and unwavering support!

We are honored to *once again* acknowledge Joan G. Sargen as the CPAC Season Sponsor. Joanie was our first-ever season sponsor, and we're incredibly grateful to have her return for the 2026-2027 season!

Joan G. Sargen moved to the Central Coast from the Bay area in 1992 and wasted no time before finding numerous ways to give of her time, talents, and treasure to help make our community an even better place to live, work, and play.

One would be hard-pressed to find a nonprofit organization in San Luis Obispo County that has not benefited from Joan’s philanthropic support! Over the years, she has been recognized for her philanthropy with several accolades including the Cuesta College Superintendent/President’s Award, the Association of Fundraising Professionals of San Luis Obispo County’s Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year Award, and the Avila Beach Civic Association’s Community Service Award.

Joan has also served on the Board of Directors for the Foundation for the Performing Arts Center, the Central Coast Women’s League, and on Cuesta College’s Cultural and Performing Arts Center Council. What a joy to have her join us again!

08/22/2026

Cuesta College awards record $1.19 million in scholarships. Meet 2 recipients

08/18/2026

Please join us in welcoming five new members to the Cuesta College Foundation Board of Directors!

We’re proud to welcome Tom Strait, President - Central Region, Banc of California; Kyle DeBernardi, Director of Operations, Redwire Defense Tech; Farid Shahid, Founding Partner, Eighty20 Group and Cuesta College alumnus; Tim Kensinger, Senior Vice President, AgWest Farm Credit; and Shaun Chilton, ASCC President/Student Trustee, serving as an ex officio Board member.

Together, these new members bring a wealth of experience spanning aerospace, agriculture, banking, real estate, community leadership, and student advocacy.

We’re grateful for their commitment to Cuesta College and our students and look forward to the leadership, expertise, connections, and fresh perspectives they’ll bring to the Foundation.

Welcome, Tom, Kyle, Farid, Tim, and Shaun!

08/17/2026

What a joy-filled afternoon celebrating the power of scholarships and the incredible students and donors who make Cuesta College such a special community. 💚

At our 37th Annual Scholarship Reception, we welcomed more than 400 scholarship recipients, donors, Foundation board members, college leaders, and community members to celebrate a record-breaking year of generosity and opportunity.

For the 2026–27 academic year, the Cuesta College Foundation awarded a historic $1,192,945 in scholarships — 1,092 scholarships supporting 696 students as they pursue degrees, workforce training, transfer goals, and meaningful careers.

Among this year’s milestones:

- 371 local high school graduates received 499 scholarships totaling more than $802,000
- 144 nursing students received $416,015 in scholarship support

We were especially grateful to hear from student speakers Deandra Ramirez, Aminah Nalubowa, and Cuesta Promise alumna Brooke Randolph, whose stories reminded us exactly why this work matters.

To every donor who invests in our students, every family and friend who cheers them on, and every student who continues to dream big: thank you.

These photos capture just a little of the joy, pride, connection, and possibility that filled the afternoon. Congratulations to all of our scholarship recipients! 🎓✨

More photos can be found at bit.ly/ccscholarshipreception.

08/11/2026

The Cuesta College Foundation will award a record $1,192,945 in scholarships for the 2026–27 academic year, the largest annual scholarship total in the Foundation’s history. The funding comprises 1,092 scholarships awarded to 696 students, with some students receiving more than one scholarship. ...

08/04/2026

Thank you to the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors for recognizing the Cuesta College Foundation’s record $1.19 million in scholarship support for the 2026–27 academic year. We look forward to celebrating our scholarship recipients at this week’s Scholarship Reception and welcoming them to a new academic year at Cuesta College.

Read more: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/newsroom/pr2026/2026-cuesta-foundation-scholarships.html

06/02/2026

With deep gratitude, the Cuesta College Foundation recognizes Janice Fong Wolf for her dedicated service on the Foundation Board of Directors.

Janice has served the Foundation with distinction for seven years, including as Vice President for Alumni Relations, a member of the Grants Committee, and a Foundation Ambassador. She has generously shared her time, leadership, and expertise in support of Cuesta College students and the mission of the Foundation.

Beyond her board service, Janice has been a steadfast donor and longtime supporter of Cuesta College, demonstrating a lasting commitment to advancing opportunity through the California Community Colleges.

At its June 1 meeting, the Cuesta College Foundation Board of Directors formally honored Janice with a resolution recognizing her dedicated service, generosity, and many contributions.

Thank you, Janice, for your leadership, generosity, and friendship. You will always be a cherished member of the Cuesta College Foundation family.

We are also excited to welcome four new members to the Foundation Board of Directors in July. More information to come!

05/29/2026

Thank you to Banc of California for its generous $15,000 investment in the Cuesta Assistance for Student Emergencies (CASE) Fund.

This support helps provide timely emergency grants to students facing unexpected financial challenges, including housing, transportation, childcare, and other essential needs. In moments of uncertainty, support like this can help students stay enrolled, focused, and moving toward their goals.

We are grateful for Banc of California’s partnership and shared commitment to student stability, workforce development, and the long-term strength of the Central Coast.

Read more about the CASE Fund in our May newsletter: https://conta.cc/4aiNTYL