June Newsletter
At the Santa Fe Community College Foundation (SFCCF), we are consistently reminded of the impact our work has on the students of Santa Fe Community College (SFCC). This becomes especially apparent during graduation season as we witness students walk across the stage and receive their diplomas. SFCCF, established 40 years ago, has helped countless students graduate without the burden of financial stress.
This month we are highlighting the staff that makes the work at SFCCF possible, Mikaela, Maria, and Kelly. Supporting students through their educational journeys takes time, resources, and heart. Through the collaboration of our team and the generosity of our donors, we help remove barriers and open doors. We are proud to be a team that makes higher education more accessible for our students.
We also are featuring statistics of the work we have accomplished so far. Don’t forget to check out these upcoming events. They are a great way to kick off the summer.
The Team That Helps Students Reach Their Dreams
Mikaela Marquez
Mikaela Marquez is the Administrative Assistant at the Foundation and has been in the role for 3 years. Mikaela was looking for a place where she could settle in and feel a sense of belonging. She found that at SFCCF. Her path has been lined with the passion and drive to grow and support students in any way that she can. Mikaela keeps things running smoothly while coordinating fundraising, relationship building, and project management.
Her role at the Foundation inspired her to take on another important role: that of a student. Alongside her career, Mikaela began pursuing an Associate’s Degree to further her education. That experience gave her a deeper, firsthand understanding of what students face and offered valuable insight into how the Foundation can continue to show up for students in meaningful ways.
During the last 3 years, Mikaela has gained a deep appreciation for her colleagues and views them as mentors, she says, “Their ambition, and mutual support we share is incredibly motivating. We are not only focused on our individual goals, but also united as a team, with the shared mission, and that is to make sure we can give back to our students and community at SFCC.”
Maria Montoya
Maria Montoya is the Business Operations Coordinator. Maria has a lot of passion for helping others and found her calling at SFCCF. She has been with the Foundation for 3 years, and before that worked at the college for 11 years. Starting in the Continuing Education Department at SFCC, Maria moved to SFCCF to gain new perspectives about the students she works with. Maria’s most treasured experiences at SFCCF are the connections she made with students along the way. Handling the finance side of the Foundation, she ensures students are able to receive the funding they need to be successful.
Maria finds the most satisfaction from her job by making lasting relationships with students. During Maria’s time at the Foundation, Maria says, she’s “cultivated real relationships with students.” She’s still in contact with graduates and hears from them about their accomplishments and updates in their lives. These relationships show her the impact of the Foundation and her work.
Kelly Marquez
Kelly Marquez is the Executive Director of SFCCF since 2022. She was raised as the only child of a single mother and has worked hard to get her higher education and make a difference in the lives of students. Kelly’s own journey of resilience and perseverance inspired her to help SFCC students. Kelly has worked at the college since 1991 and is the first Latina Executive Director of the Foundation. Since her time at SFCCF, she has worked to increase the endowment from 4 million dollars to 16 million. Kelly’s mission is to break generational poverty by supporting students in their educational journeys through scholarships and donations.
Kelly believes in the importance of “creating pathways for students to succeed.” Every year, Kelly looks forward to speaking to students at the SFCC commencement. “Seeing students I’ve helped achieve their goals is how I know I’ve done my job right,” says Kelly.
Our Work By The Numbers
As we look ahead, we are committed to doing even more for our students this year. We have accomplished much, but we are nowhere near finished. Together, we can continue to support our students on their path to higher education and cheer them on in their success. We are deeply grateful for the generosity of our community and excited to continue making a meaningful impact together.
Kelly A. Marquez, MBA
Executive Director
kelly.marquez@sfcc.edu
