Santa Barbara City College in California announced it is one of the recipients of the most recent series of multimillion-dollar donations by American philanthropist and author MacKenzie Scott.
Through a press release, the school disclosed that it has received $20 million of the $2.74 billion donation by Scott and her husband, Dan Jewett, to colleges and organizations focused on the arts and combating racial inequality.
Santa Barbara said the money will be used to support a wide range of campus initiatives and student success programs. Some of the funds will also be allocated to provide support for students who have been financially impacted by the pandemic.
“This visionary gift could not have come at a better time, as we are embarking on the creation of our new Educational Master Plan. These funds will empower us to implement transformational initiatives that will shape our community college of the future and provide the margin of excellence that we seek,” Santa Barbara President Utpal Goswami remarked.
“I would be remiss if I did not recognize the good work of our faculty and staff which brought us to where we are today. This gift will energize us to pursue our passion to serve all students,” he added.
‘Worthy of Investment’
Santa Barbara Foundation CEO Geoff Green believes that the school is worthy of investment since it has been working to develop programs that change the lives of disadvantaged students.
He also expressed that the $20 million gift serves as a recognition of the efforts that faculty, staff, and students are exerting to improve the school.
“Our hope is that it will serve as a signal to other donors and highlight the fact that community colleges are perhaps the best tool we have for increasing social and economic mobility, addressing long-standing inequalities in our communities, and ensuring that all members of our community have access to a life-changing education,” Green stated.