PEAC Foundation Awards Night Celebrates Student Success

The Santa Barbara Unified School District’s Program for Effective Access to College (PEAC) held its annual PEAC Foundation celebration at UC Santa Barbara, marking an inspiring night of academic achievement and expanding community partnerships.

The event honored eight PEAC seniors bound for Westmont, alongside Cindy Gonzalez, a graduate of the Westmont Downtown | Grotenhuis Nursing program. Highlighting the evening was the celebration of Jennifer Bautista Rodriguez (’26) and Jannet Rios Ochoa, the first recipients of tuition funds through SBUSD and Westmont’s new residency program for students seeking a teaching credential and position in California public schools.

Superintendent Hilda Maldonado, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources John Becchio, and Sally Hawkins, assistant professor of education at Westmont, were praised for the residency program and its focus on retaining local educators.

Patricia Madrigal, president and CEO of the PEAC Foundation, applauded the collaborative network, noting that the foundation has supported thousands of students over the past 14 years through deep institutional ties with UCSB, Santa Barbara City College, and Westmont. “This is a celebration of community,” she said. “We are grateful for our community and university partners, who invest and support college and career pathways for our students. We couldn’t have done this work without you,” Madrigal said.

The evening featured Westmont alumnus Aldo Becerril Garcia (’24) and PEAC advocate Celia Zanabria Barrera, who spotlighted the profound impact of donor support.

Barrera, an aspiring nurse, shared her journey as a Santa Barbara native and as a first-generation student. “Sometimes the strength of these words doesn’t come from confidence. It comes from purpose,” Barrera said. “For me, that purpose started with my parents’ sacrifices and now continues to the opportunity to serve others.”

Irene Neller, Westmont’s vice president for enrollment, marketing, and communications, emphasized the generational impact of the regional alliances. “Students, families and communities are forever changed because of these commitments and partnerships,” Neller said. “What a privilege we have to serve our students as we each commit to ‘Growing Our Own’ – it’s truly life giving.”