The Ventura College Foundation board approved two new members at its September 18^th meeting.
 
One of the new members is Dustin Tondreau, AVP of the Wealth Management Team at Ocean Air Federal Credit Union in Ventura County which partners with LPL Financial. As foundation treasurer, Tondreau’s role is to provide a fiduciary duty of care in overseeing the foundation’s financials and to bring new strategic partnership opportunities to the board.
 
“Community colleges are powerful, cost-effective means to receive the first two years of higher education at a fraction of the price of a four-year university,” says Tondreau. “Community colleges also play a vital role in meeting the growing demand for skilled labor trades, particularly in fields like nursing that are crucial to the community. I strongly support the foundation’s goal to enhance the academic success of students in our community. Higher education is the pathway to our community continuing to prosper and grow for generations to come.”
 
New board member James Zavas is vice president of Business Administrative Services at Ventura College. He was appointed to the board by Ventura College President Dr. Claudia Lourido-Habib. He oversees the college's financial operations, facilities, information technology, community services, the student business office, the financial aid department, and the Basic Needs Center.
 
“The foundation helps provide students with the resources they need to complete their academic goals, and ultimately achieve their dreams,” says Zavas. “It also provides the college with critical financial support to help close the gap between funding the college receives from the state to serve students, and the funding required to ensure that students get the best possible services, which ultimately makes their educational journey more successful.”
 
“Both Dustin and James are tremendous additions to our board,” says Ventura College Foundation Board Chair Nicole Kreutz. “Each comes with financial and administrative experience that will bolster the board as the foundation expands our support for the students and programs of Ventura College.”
 
For more about the Ventura College Foundation, go to www.VenturaCollegeFoundation.org.
 
Ventura College Foundation
 
Established in 1983, the Ventura College Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and operates financially independent from Ventura College. It transforms students’ lives through education by providing innovative and vital resources and financial support. The Foundation collaborates with Ventura College to enhance human potential, civic engagement, careers and academic success of students enabling their effective impact and legacy on the college, local workforce, and our community. The Foundation also hosts the Ventura College Foundation Marketplace; an outdoor shopping experience held every weekend on the Ventura College campus in the East Lot. For more information, contact Julie Harvey at (805) 289-6502 or jharvey@vcccd.edu or visit www.VenturaCollegeFoundation.org.