Nicole Kreutz. Courtesy photo.
VENTURA — In a June 28 meeting, the Ventura College Foundation Board of Directors selected a new board chair and vice-chair and approved two new board members for the 2023-24 term.
The new foundation board chair is Nicole Kreutz, vice president, senior portfolio manager at Montecito Bank & Trust. She has been on the foundation board for five years and is a Ventura College alumnus. “I am excited to lead the foundation’s efforts to help students at Ventura College thrive and prosper,” says Kreutz. “As a foundation, we remain focused and vigilant on what we do best, providing our students with a way to open doors for the future and provide a bridge to higher education.”
Vice-chair is Rob van Nieuwburg, business relations director at Ventura Toyota. He served as foundation board chair for five years until 2021 and has been on the board for nearly 20 years. “It’s all about the students,” says van Nieuwburg. “Every day, we see how the foundation impacts lives and gives students a path forward.”
Joining the board is Lydia Morales, a retired Ventura College faculty member, former chair of the Math Department and Academic Faculty Senate president. Also joining the board is Mark Huff, the newly elected Associated Students of Ventura County (ASVC) president who will serve through the 2024 academic year. Part of the ASVC president’s duties is to serve on the foundation board and provide student input.
Ellyn Dembowski is Immediate Past Board Chair.
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.