Our Students & Your Generosity Create a Better Community

SEEDS FOR THE FUTURE

A fellowship to foster leaders in nursing

As a young man who was moved from the Philippines to the United States at 12 years of age, Max Sebolino, 40, thought that joining the Navy would be a great way to support this country. But when a job led him to work with and care for the elderly, he found his true passion: nursing.

He attended Hartnell College in 2006 and that’s where he was taught by Mary Cousineau and Dr. Debra Kaczmar. He later came back to teach as he completed his bachelor’s degree at Chamberlain University.

“I told Dr. Kaczmar ‘teaching is what I want to do,’” said Max. 

This was exactly what Mary and Pierre Cousineau wanted to hear from some of the nursing students. In an effort to create a teaching pathway, they founded the Dr. Debra Kaczmar Endowed Nursing Fellowship. This is an opportunity for a Hartnell nursing alum to attend grad school and come back to Hartnell to teach in the nursing program for at least two years.

Max is the first recipient of this endowed fellowship. “I am deeply honored to have been awarded the Dr. Debra Kaczmar Endowed Nursing Fellowship,” said Max. “It represents more than financial support; it reflects the trust and belief Mary and Pierre Cousineau, Debra Kaczmar, and the rest of the board have in my potential, and I am truly grateful for that confidence – the fellowship will play a significant role in helping me pursue my goals and continue growing as a nursing professional.”

The presentation of the fellowship was in September (picture). Max is attending Walden University and expects to complete his Master’s in Psychiatric Mental Health – Nursing Practitioner Program in 2027. He is currently a part-time clinical instructor at Hartnell in charge of the mental health rotation at Natividad Hospital. 

“When working at Hartnell, I embraced the culture of my students and became aware of their struggles to manage school, family life, work, and other responsibilities,” said Mary. “I quickly understood that we as instructors can serve as role models and mentors.” 

She also saw first-hand the difficulty of recruiting and retaining qualified nursing faculty. Mary and Pierre decided to fund an endowment that would support local students to obtain higher degrees in nursing and return to Hartnell College as faculty members. The impact of this program on the fellowship recipients, their future students, the healthcare industry, and the community cannot be overstated. It is a “grow your own” nursing faculty program that will have far-reaching positive outcomes.

Mary and Pierre Cousineau originally came to Monterey County when Pierre was serving in the military. They decided to stay, make this their home, and raise their children here. Mary worked as a nurse for many years before being hired as Assistant Director of the Nursing Program at Hartnell College. Mary has been fully retired since May 2025. Pierre shares Mary’s passion for nursing and student success.

Mary and Pierre are naming this endowment in honor of Dr. Debra Kaczmar, Director of the Nursing Program at Hartnell College, out of deep respect for Dr. Kaczmar’s contributions to the Hartnell College Nursing Program, in recognition of their shared passion for excellence in nursing, and in appreciation for Deb’s and Mary’s years together as colleagues. 

Max is appreciative of this opportunity to serve in a deeper way. He shares his excitement with his wife Annie and their three children.

“I look forward to continuing to give back to Hartnell College, where I began my nursing career, and to serving my community with the knowledge, skills, and compassion that this fellowship helps me strengthen,” said Max. “I am sincerely thankful for this support, and I am committed to honoring it through my work, my growth, and my contributions to others.”

THE ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME 2025

A Legacy of Success

Saturday, October 25, 2025

• Hartnell College has a rich athletic tradition and a long history of success that spans over the past 90 years.
• Hartnell has produced well over 15,000 student-athletes who have not only achieved success in the athletic arena but also in the classroom and in life.
• In the 2024-25 academic year, 85% of Hartnell sophomore student-athletes transferred to a four-year university, and 94% of all student-athletes came from high schools in the Salinas Valley.
• 45% of sophomore student-athletes received transfer scholarships and 202 student-athletes were on the college Honor Roll during the 2024-25 academic year.

Julie Holaday Given – 831-594-8347

Ron Critchfield –  831-596-1106

Our very best,