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10,000 Degrees Stories

From alumni to our staff to donors - their stories show the impact of educational equity.

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Yuliana M.G.

10,000 Degrees Alum

Sacramento State University, 2024
Santa Rosa Junior College, 2022

"Tashi (my 10,000 Degrees Fellow) really helped me strive forward, continually saying 'you're almost there.'"
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Yesenia J.

10,000 Degrees Alum

California State University, Sacramento, 2023

"Earning my Bachelor’s degree is something that no one can take away from me."
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Will Hayes

Co-Chair, Contra Costa Advisory Board

COO, Bestomer

"The 10,000 Degrees model of how they engage the student community is incredibly organic to creating success."
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Vikki & Derek Ku

Board Story

10,000 Degrees San Francisco Advisory Board Members
Supporters & Donors since 2021

"We're proud to support 10,000 Degrees"
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Tate Barend

10,000 Degrees Alum

University of San Francisco, 2026
University of California, Berkeley, 2020
Santa Rosa Junior College, 2017

"My experience as a dyslexic motivated me to establish the Lift Off Scholarship"
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Tashi Sherpa

10,000 Degrees Alum

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, 2021

"10,000 Degrees started as just a program, but now I see them more as a family."
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Su Z.

10,000 Degrees Alum

University of California Santa Cruz, 2023

"10,000 Degrees gave me amazing support and advice."
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Ryan Y.

10,000 Degrees Alum

San Jose State University, 2023

"10,000 Degrees has been really helpful during my transition back to campus after the pandemic."
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Robert Fischbach

Corporate Partner

Head of the San Francisco Office, BlackRock

"BlackRock is proud to partner with 10,000 Degrees, an organization who shares our commitment to equity"
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Rhea Suh

Foundation Partner

President & CEO, Marin Community Foundation

“10,000 Degrees is an equity champion."
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Reeti J.

10,000 Degrees Alum

Sonoma State University, 2025
Santa Rosa Junior College, 2023

"I loved the 10,000 Degrees resources I was provided."
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Pepe Gonzales

10,000 Degrees Alum

Former Board Chair & Honorary Board Member
Director of Community Partnerships, San Rafael City Schools
Sonoma State University, 2008
Dominican University of California, 2002

"Having a degree has truly opened up endless opportunities for me..."
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Pat Andry-Jennings

Assistant Superintendent, Instructional Division

Napa Valley Unified School District

"Our partnership with 10,000 Degrees is one way we support our students now and as they transition into college.”
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Óscar Chávez

President & CEO

Community Foundation Sonoma County

"10,000 Degrees works to make college accessible for thousands of students in Sonoma County every year."
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Mark Mokelke

10,000 Degrees Marin Advisory Board Chair

Bank of America Market Executive, Greater Bay Area
Bank of America

"Bank of America supports 10,000 Degrees' view that education is the foundation of a just and equitable society."
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Luz H.

10,000 Degrees Alum & Fellow

University of California, Davis, 2022

"10,000 Degrees is the reason why I was able to go to college."
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Lan H.N.

10,000 Degrees Alum

City College of San Francisco, 2023

"I never thought I could transfer to UC Berkeley."
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Kristopher M

10,000 Degrees Alum

University of California, Riverside, 2022

"My career path has been greatly helped by 10,000 Degrees and their mentorship program."
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Julian Toro Solis

School Partner

Director of Outreach and Partnerships
College of Marin

"10,000 Degrees continues to be an invaluable partner for College of Marin."
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Jessica Mena Flores

10,000 Degrees Alum

Contra Costa Advisory Board Member
Iowa State University, 2019
Sonoma State University, 2017

"Higher education didn't seem like a possibility for me..."
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Jessica A.

10,000 Degrees Alum

Sacramento State University, 2023

"My education is something that no one can take away from me."
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Jennifer Nguyen

Foundation Partner

Director of Postsecondary Success, Stupski Foundation

"The one-two punch of community trust and holistic, student-centered support made 10,000 Degrees a natural partner."
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Jacqueline O.M.

10,000 Degrees Alum

University of California Riverside, 2023

"My involvement with 10,000 Degrees was amazing and so beneficial to me."
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Isabela De Souza

10,000 Degrees Alum

Index Strategist at BlackRock
University of California, Berkeley, 2019
College of Marin, 2017

"I’m grateful for the wonderful staff and mentors who pushed and believed in me along the way."
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Image of Imani L at work in hard hat

Imani L.

10,000 Degrees Alum

Grambling State University, 2021
2022 Alumni Changemaker Honoree

"My experience with 10,000 Degrees helped me become an ambassador for change."
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Hana Ma

Program Officer, Postsecondary Success

Sobrato Philanthropies

"Sobrato Philanthropies is honored to partner with 10,000 Degrees."
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Graham Brandt

10,000 Degrees Alum

Former Board Chair & Honorary Board Member
Vice President, Goldman Sachs
University of California, Los Angeles, 1999

"For more than 25 years, my family and I have supported 10,000 Degrees."
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Glenn Vander Zee

School Partner

Silicon Valley/Peninsula Advisory Board Member
Superintendent, East Side Union High School

“We are proud to partner with organizations like 10,000 Degrees..."
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Gaida A.

10,000 Degrees Alum

University of Washington, 2023

"My children are inspired by me."
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Eslly H.

10,000 Degrees Alum

San Francisco State University, 2022
College of Marin, 2019

"Continue to fund programs like 10,000 Degrees so they can continue to support future generations of students like me and my siblings."
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Emma N.

10,000 Degrees Alum

University of California, Berkeley, 2025
College of Marin, 2023
College of Marin Commencement Speaker

"10,000 Degrees has provided a strong structure in my education."
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Emily G.

10,000 Degrees Alum

Contra Costa College, 2023
San Diego State University, 2026

"10,000 Degrees has been one of the only people who have supported my transfer journey."
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Eli Weinzveg

10,000 Degrees Director of College Pathways, Sonoma, Napa & Lake Counties

M.A., Sacramento State University, 2012
B.A., Sacramento State University, 2008

"I feel I’ve honored my family in prioritizing education in my life and it’s a value my wife and I have also instilled in our children."
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Cinthya Cisneros

10,000 Degrees Alum

Scholarship Partner
Sonoma State University, 2012

"10,000 Degrees helped me with scholarships and provided a mentor who believed in me."
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Britney N.

10,000 Degrees Alum

Santa Rosa Junior College, 2022
University of California, Davis, 2024

"Over the years, 10,000 Degrees had my back, encouraging me to be self-motivated."
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Bhupinder “Sonu” Singh Chandi

10,000 Degrees Board Member & Sonoma Advisory Board Chair

Supporter & Donor since 2016

"With 10,000 Degrees, I love how much engagement we provide through the Fellows, as well as putting a focus on career success."
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Aurora C.T.

10,000 Degrees Alum

Sonoma State University, 2023

"10,000 Degrees helped me start my journey and transition from high school to college."
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An H.

10,000 Degrees Alum

University of California, Santa Barbara, 2023

"It let me focus more on my studies while it helped pay for my tuition and living expenses."
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Amanda D

10,000 Degrees Alum

University of California, Santa Barbara, 2023

"I feel grateful that I am in a position where I can pursue my boldest dream..."
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Amanda Cornell

10,000 Degrees College Access Program Manager, Lake County

Southern New Hampshire University, 2021
Yuba Community College, 2017

 

"As a Fellow Lake County resident, former student at LLHS, and first-generation college graduate it’s truly humbling to be able to work with students."
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Alyssa Ng

Associate Director, Inclusion and Diversity and Interim Global I&D Lead, Intercontinental Region

Gilead Sciences
San Francisco Advisory Board Member

"I believe education is an important and critical tool to remove barriers..."
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