UTBB FRIENDS
Lic. Gabriella Robles - Language Center Director and Instructor, UTBB
I joined UTBB FRIENDS because I believe in the power of community support. As a professor at Universidad Tecnológica de Bahía de Banderas and a member of the same local communities, I see firsthand the challenges our students face. Many struggle with basic needs like food, transportation and other essential resources. Through UTBB FRIENDS, I want to help ensure that no student is held back because of circumstances.
Stone Wolfsong,Non-profit Executive Director and Educator
Our students are already committed to creating a better future for themselves. I'm aware of the hardships some of them faced to make it this far. My small contributions can make a big difference to the success of a few students. I'm proud to be a founding member of UTBB Friends and a sponsor of two outstanding students.
Jim Weber - Advisor to the UTBB Scholarship Program
I am particularly excited about UTBB Friends because it fits with my philosophy that education is the way out of poverty. Through a partnership between my club, the Rotary Club of Saskatoon, and the Rotary Club of Puerto Vallarta Sur I have been providing scholarships for students in the Puerto Vallarta area for over 19 years. Our criteria are the same as UTBB Friends, good students from impoverished backgrounds. I am happy to be the UTBB Friends Advisor to the Scholarship Program.
Kaye Kameron and Steve Schmidt - Events, Marketing and Fundraising
Kaye is a Lifetime Member, and Past President of the "Woman's Century Club" of Seattle.
"We want our UTBB students to get ahead, succeed in school, and find rewarding employment. Kaye is a founding member of UTBB Friends. Steve worked closely with UTBB Friends mentoring and supporting our students.
Bonnie Monares, Project Manager
Through our Spanish teacher, Gabriella Robles, we discovered the UTBB campus and hotel. More importantly we discovered that some of our students were successful academically but vulnerable to dropping out. These Students are Academic Warriors, and we can provide a solution and ensure that they graduate. This is my community and these students are MY students. Their success is my mission and my passion. Bonnie is a founding member.
Cynthia Reimer - Human Resources Manager; President of Beta Sigma Phi
Cynthia's background is in Human Resources. She has lived locally for over 10 years, teaching English to young children and adults. 'I know that there are many young students that we can help with their education. When I was approached about joining Friends of UTBB, I knew that I wanted to support these students as they grow into adulthood.
Carissa Casswell, Business Owner and Sales Manager
While attending Gabriella's Spanish class at UTBB, we met students without computers and learned that some could not afford to buy lunch. That is what drove Stone to do something about it I am so happy to be able to help.
For a lot of us, it seems like such a small thing to give someone a meal every day or a used computer. Still, for these students who, along with their families, work so hard to get enrolled in college, it is really a big thing that leads to brighter futures for the students, their families, and communities.