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Alumni Stories

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Gaida A.

10,000 Degrees Alum

University of Washington, 2023

"My children are inspired by me."
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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