Michael Schouten. Courtesy photo.
VENTURA — The Ventura College Foundation Board of Directors has added two new board members. The new members are Catherine Bojorquez and Michael Schouten.
Bojorquez is vice president of business and administrative services at Ventura College. She has worked in education for over 19 years, providing oversight in the areas of finance, technology, facilities, maintenance, transportation and food services.
“Education is a great equalizer that develops students’ strengths and talents, helping them to achieve their dreams for themselves and their families,” says Bojorquez. “I interact with students, faculty, classified professionals and administrators every day. They share their challenges, successes and hopes. As a board member, I hope to be a liaison between the board and the many faces at Ventura College and a voice for the needs of our students and campus.”
Schouten is president of the Associated Students of Ventura College. While growing up in Santa Paula, education was not always a top priority. “I wasn’t big on education but that changed when my mom quit her job as a waitress and completed a medical assistant program,” says Schouten. “I saw the new opportunities education gave her.”
The foundation’s Ventura College Promise program enabled Schouten to attend Ventura College tuition free during his first year. He takes advantage of the foundation-funded David P. Bianco textbook lending library so he has access to schoolbooks at no charge. While at Ventura College, Schouten has been awarded an academic scholarship by the Ventura Downtown Lions Club – Fred W. Smith Scholarship. “Ventura College, its faculty and the foundation’s many mentors have provided me with the opportunity to explore what I want to do with my life,” says Schouten, who hopes to transfer to U.C. Berkeley and major in political science or economics. “I want to bring the student perspective to the board and suggest new ways the foundation can help students including addressing the personal side of what it means to be a college student.”
“Having Cathy and Michael’s input on the board is important,” says Rob van Nieuwburg, Ventura College Foundation board chair. “Their views on student issues give us an on-the-ground look at how our programs impact students.”
Established in 1983, the Ventura College Foundation provides financial support to the students and the programs of Ventura College to facilitate student success and grow the impact and legacy of Ventura College as a vital community asset. The Foundation also hosts the Ventura College Foundation Marketplace; an outdoor shopping experience held every weekend on the Ventura College campus east parking lot. For more information, contact Julie Harvey at (805) 289-6502 or jharvey@vcccd.edu or visit www.VenturaCollegeFoundation.org