Dear friends,
It is my hope that you are enjoying the burst of summer heat and sunshine, and planning those long-awaited vacations.
Here at Hartnell, we are excited to welcome our new Superintendent/President, Mr. Michael Gutierrez on Friday, July 1, 2022. We at the Hartnell College Foundation are encouraged that Mr. Gutierrez is a strong believer in collaborations, donor relations, and community engagement, but most importantly, he is a champion for students.
We are eager to work with Mr. Gutierrez on various projects and to introduce him to our committees and the movers & shakers in the community.
We look forward to planning a number of events so that you can get to know him personally and will keep you in the know. To learn more about Mr. Gutierrez, click on this LINK.
Be well and see you soon!
Jackie Cruz
VP Advancement and Development
Executive Director for Hartnell College Foundation
COLLABORATIONS MAKE MESA THRIVE
MESA students succeed in STEM careers
The Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement program, better known for its acronym MESA, has reason to celebrate. MESA recently received a new three-year grant from the Chancellor’s office to continue to support students in STEM majors at Hartnell College.
“This is a state-funded grant that encourages the inclusion of more diverse groups into careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math),” said Interim Director of Academic Affairs, Joel Thompson. “But the collaboration we have with local, regional, and state entities is what makes this program strong.”
MESA integrates student support and an internship program that prepares students for transfer to a university. Students who have an interest in careers in STEM may apply to be a MESA member if they meet two criteria: they are a first-generation college student majoring in a career in STEM and qualify for financial aid.
“MESA is composed of students who can study together, work together, and are successful together,” said Mr. Thompson.
This May, 23 MESA graduates were celebrated in a private reception at Hartnell College. All of them are transferring to a four-year university to continue their studies. (See photo below)
“Even though the academic year has ended, the internships continue through the summer months,” said Mr. Thompson. There are 43 MESA students fulfilling internships with partners like USDA, Naval Postgraduate School, UC Santa Cruz, Elkhorn Slough National Marine Lab, Hartnell College faculty, NASA, Blue Marble, Seeds for STEM, and so many more.
Before the summer STEM internships, 2021-22 MESA students participated in micro-internships with faculty oversight. These serve as stepping stones to applying for the regular summer 8-to-10-week intensive internship and research project. This summer program culminates in early fall with a symposium where participants share their research with a poster presentation.
The opportunity to participate in hands-on research with scientists, engineers, doctors, etc. enriches students’ experience and opens up a world of possibilities for their future. Students who have participated in at least one of these internships are most likely to have a career in STEM.
“Careers in STEM are important,” said Mr. Thompson. “Nowadays, everything we are and do, have to do with technology or science, in addition, employment opportunities are vast, along with higher salaries – these are rewarding careers.”
At Hartnell College, MESA students have access to free calculators and textbooks as well as a computer lab, study groups, resume workshops, and the necessary support to ensure their success. They have access to three peer ambassadors during the academic year and work closely with the Panther Learning Lab for tutoring services.
“These students are working on amazing projects,” Mr. Thompson said. “They have all the tools needed to be ready for the next steps in their careers.”
MESA at Hartnell has a strong alumni group that keeps in touch and return to be guest speakers and inspire the next generation of STEM professionals.
“Alumni come back and I see that sense of pride for what they accomplished here at Hartnell,” Mr. Thompson said. “They talk to students about their success and are extremely motivational.”
Mr. Thompson joined the Hartnell team in January 2021, in the middle of the pandemic. But with hard work, he found that MESA students had the desire to succeed. Under his leadership, the program continues to recruit more students and increase the number of partnerships in order to offer more internships in the years to come.
For more information about MESA and how to get involved, click on THIS LINK.
A BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION GIFT TO IMPACT OUR WORK
A tax-wise way to leave a legacy
Etta and her late husband Luther had been longtime supporters of an organization. She had been thinking about how she could make a significant gift to support their work. She met with her attorney to explain her goals and describe her assets. Originally, she thought about leaving her IRA to her kids and other assets to charity.
Her attorney suggested a different strategy. He explained that if her children inherited the IRA, the estate would pay estate taxes, and her children would pay income taxes on
the IRA. But, by giving the IRA to charity and other assets to her children, Etta could still provide a nice inheritance to her children while avoiding the income tax!
Etta contacted her IRA custodian, who sent her an IRA beneficiary designation form. She completed the form, named the organization as the primary beneficiary of her IRA, and mailed the form back. Etta was thrilled with the plan.
If you are interested in or have questions about making a beneficiary designation gift to impact the work of our organization, please contact Vice President of Advancement/Development and Executive Director, Jackie Cruz at (831) 444-2446 or email jcruz@hartnell.edu to help you plan for your future.
Etta and her late husband Luther had been longtime supporters of an organization. She had been thinking about how she could make a significant gift to support their work. She met with her attorney to explain her goals and describe her assets. Originally, she thought about leaving her IRA to her kids and other assets to charity.
Her attorney suggested a different strategy. He explained that if her children inherited the IRA, the estate would pay estate taxes, and her children would pay income taxes on
the IRA. But, by giving the IRA to charity and other assets to her children, Etta could still provide a nice inheritance to her children while avoiding the income tax!
Etta contacted her IRA custodian, who sent her an IRA beneficiary designation form. She completed the form, named the organization as the primary beneficiary of her IRA, and mailed the form back. Etta was thrilled with the plan.
If you are interested in or have questions about making a beneficiary designation gift to impact the work of our organization, please contact Vice President of Advancement/Development and Executive Director, Jackie Cruz at (831) 444-2446 or email jcruz@hartnell.edu to help you plan for your future.