Del Mar College Employees Give Back to Support Students

For Del Mar College employee Kim Hughes, giving back to students is an opportunity to pay forward the support she once received. As a former DMC student, Hughes knows firsthand the difference financial assistance can make during a difficult time. When she needed help, the DMC Foundation Emergency Fund was there to provide it.

“When I needed help, the DMC Foundation Emergency Fund was there for me. That support made a real difference during a difficult time, and I’ll always be grateful,” Hughes said. “Now it’s my turn to give back.”

Today, Hughes serves as an office coordinator for the Department of Public Service on Windward Campus and is among the 184 employees who participated in the College's 2026 Employee Giving Campaign. Together, employees made pledges and gifts totaling $89,460 to support DMC students.

Organized annually by the DMC Foundation, the campaign focuses on raising money for the Student Emergency Aid fund, helping provide assistance to students facing unexpected financial challenges. Employee contributions also support scholarships and programs that help students continue their education.

For Hughes, participating in the campaign is a way to help ensure other students have access to the same support she once received.

“Every gift, no matter the size, helps make a difference,” she said. “I’m proud to give back and pay it forward.”

Dr. Beatriz Alvarado, a professor of psychology on Heritage Campus, also understands how financial challenges can affect a student's college experience.

“I remember what it was like going to college and knowing that $50 would mean the difference between buying a book and going to the library every day to study,” Alvarado said.

While each employee may have a different reason for giving, their contributions help provide resources that can ease financial burdens and support students as they work toward their educational goals.

For Gracie Yielding, an office assistant on Oso Creek Campus, participating in Employee Giving is an opportunity to help students overcome obstacles and continue pursuing their education.

“If my contribution can help remove barriers and empower someone else to achieve their goals, then it’s an investment worth making,” Yielding said.

Through the annual campaign, faculty and staff have an opportunity to support the students they serve beyond their everyday roles at the College. Whether motivated by personal experiences or a commitment to helping others, their collective contributions help make educational opportunities more accessible.

For Hughes, that commitment has come full circle. Once a student who benefited from the Foundation's assistance, she is now helping make that same support available to someone else.

Interested in participating in future employee giving opportunities? Contact Cynthia Arbuckle with the DMC Foundation at CArbuckle@delmar.edu or ext. 1031.