SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union serving school employees and their families, has enhanced its collaboration with American River College (ARC), a key institution within the Los Rios Community College District, through a generous donation that strives to recognize and support the hard work, commitment and dedication of the classified professionals who play a crucial role in the college’s operations.This initiative is part of a comprehensive commitment to the Los Rios Community Colleges, with additional support being directed to those who work at the other three campuses and district office, and seeks to spotlight the individuals and teams working behind the scenes to ensure that students receive the support they need to thrive academically and personally.
We recognize the vital role our staff plays in student success,” says ARC President Lisa Cardoza. “This recognition of the staff’s contribution is not just a formality but a genuine appreciation for all that they do. Through SchoolsFirst FCU’s partnership, a scholarship endowment will be established to ensure we continue to support their educational aspirations and professional development.”
ARC’s decision to prioritize the endowment is rooted in compelling statistics. Nearly 20% of its employees are also students, with 87% of those being student employees and temporary staff pursuing further education. This dual role of employee/students highlights the importance of additional support to ensure their academic and professional growth.
The partnership includes several key initiatives, such as a new scholarship endowment that will provide classified employees with opportunities for continued education and professional growth, an annual classified appreciation event that will spotlight and uplift the contributions of ARC classified employees, and financial literacy programs to help provide additional support in an area of education not often included in public settings. In addition, SchoolsFirst FCU will sponsor a high school counselors conference to improve alignment between secondary and post-secondary education and host a “State of the College” breakfast for ARC’s school partners and major donors. This partnership reflects SchoolsFirst FCU’s commitment to fostering a thriving educational environment that benefits students, educators and staff alike.
Behind every thriving educational institution are the dedicated individuals who guide their success day by day. As this commitment to supporting educational communities grows, other businesses are taking note, potentially signaling a new era of corporate-community partnerships focused on education and mutual advancement. The partnership between SchoolsFirst FCU and ARC serves as a model for how financial institutions can play a meaningful role in supporting colleges and their diverse student and workforce communities.
“SchoolsFirst FCU has been a wonderful partner to ARC over the last 20 years and has provided important support, like funding scholarships and sponsoring major events. And so it is fitting that when they wanted to deepen the partnership with Los Rios, they opted to focus on American River College.”— Kirsten DuBray, Regional Director of Philanthropy, American River College
“SchoolsFirst FCU has been a wonderful partner to ARC over the last 20 years and has provided important support, like funding scholarships and sponsoring major events,” says Kirsten DuBray, ARC’s regional director of philanthropy. “And so it is fitting that when they wanted to deepen the partnership with Los Rios, they opted to focus on American River College.”
SchoolsFirst FCU serves a diverse Membership with financial products and services to help them achieve financial well-being. The collaboration between SchoolsFirst FCU and American River College (ARC) reflects their support of community colleges and their diverse workforce and advances their mission of providing financial inclusion for all.
The partnership between SchoolsFirst FCU and ARC goes beyond financial support. It embodies a shared commitment to fostering educational growth and workforce readiness within the Greater Sacramento community. By investing in scholarships, professional development and celebrations, SchoolsFirst FCU directly contributes to the success and well-being of the Los Rios Community College District’s staff and student workforce, many of whom balance their roles as employees and students. This initiative exemplifies how strategic corporate partnerships can play a pivotal role in strengthening community colleges and empowering the individuals who contribute to their success.
