OC Hispanic Education Endowment Fund

HEEF leadership, our NEW Advisory Committee chairs, and subcommittee leaders recently met with Vanguard University leadership to explore future partnership and collaboration opportunities focused on long-term student success.

Conversations centered around strengthening support systems for scholars through mentorship, professional development, leadership opportunities, alumni engagement, networking, and career readiness pathways.

We’re excited about the momentum ahead and grateful to Vanguard University for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation. More to come!✨

HEEF is honored to welcome Paula Amezola, MPH, BS, founder of First Gen Legacy, as keynote speaker for the upcoming HEEF Luncheon on June 27, 2026.

A lifelong public servant and advocate for first-generation student success, Paula’s work focuses on educational equity, career readiness, and financial literacy empowerment.

📚 Paula will also be signing and distributing books during the event. We look forward to gathering with our scholars, supporters, and community partners for this meaningful afternoon.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month 🤍

At HEEF, we believe success is about more than achievements - it’s also about supporting your well-being along the way.

Taking care of your mental health is just as important as reaching your goals. Whether it’s taking a break, setting boundaries, asking for help, or checking in on someone you care about, small actions can make a big difference.

This month serves as a reminder that you are not alone, and support, community, and kindness matter.

Big things are happening at HEEF! ✨

During our recent Advisory Committee meetings at OCCF, we celebrated several major milestones as we continue building a stronger future for our alumni community.

From officially launching our Governance Charter and 2026 Goals to planning upcoming professional development opportunities and our Scholarship Luncheon, this next chapter is focused on growth, leadership, and impact.

We’re especially excited to continue strengthening partnerships with local colleges and universities while expanding resources and opportunities for our members.

Thank you to everyone helping move HEEF forward - we can’t wait to see what we accomplish together. 💙

Caps off to the Class of 2026!

We are so proud of our graduates and everything it took to get here. This is just the beginning. Keep growing, keep pushing, and keep believing in what’s ahead.

At HEEF, we’re proud to support students on their journey toward opportunity and success.

FutureReady

Growth doesn’t just happen in the classroom, it happens through experience.

At HEEF, we encourage our students to explore internships that challenge them, inspire them, and help them discover their path. From building real-world skills to forming meaningful connections, these opportunities play a powerful role in shaping future leaders.

Because education is more than what you learn. It’s what you do with it. ✨

HigherEducation

Opportunity starts with access - and access starts with you.

Your support helps provide scholarships, mentorship, and the resources students need not just to get to college, but to succeed and graduate.

Be part of what makes that possible.
Donate today through the link in our bio.

We’re proud to welcome Dr. Carla Salazar Gonzalez to the HEEF Alumni Leadership Network!

A sociologist and researcher, Dr. Salazar Gonzalez focuses on immigration, inequality, and the experiences of asylum-seeking mothers at the U.S.-Mexico border—bringing visibility to stories that are too often unheard and overlooked.

Her work reflects the very impact HEEF strives to foster: using education as a pathway to elevate voices, challenge systems, and strengthen communities.

We’re honored to have her perspective and leadership as part of the growing ALN.

Farmworker Day 🌱
Today, we recognize the resilience and dedication of farmworker communities whose work sustains and nourishes our country every day.

At HEEF, that spirit lives on in many forms. Some of our scholars are directly connected to this legacy through their families. Others reflect those same qualities through their own paths, shaped by perseverance, discipline, and a drive to create opportunity.

We are honored to support students who carry these values forward, building brighter futures for themselves and the communities around them. 💛

Recipient Highlight! 🎓✨
Naomi Brugman, 2025 HEEF Scholarship Recipient from CSU, Fullerton, is investing in her future and working toward her goals with determination.

We love being able to support bright, driven students like Naomi- helping create opportunities for them to grow, succeed, and build the futures they’ve worked so hard for. 💫

ScholarSuccess