Impact Report: Year-Ends 2021 and 2022

Jonathan Scott

Jonathan Scott: current student at Skyline College

Karen Chadwick, the Foundation’s Donor Relations Manager has had the pleasure of witnessing first-hand the hard work, positive presence, and passion that Jonathan Scott exudes. She has grown to know Jonathan over the years from various Cash for College outreach events. Jonathan, a Financial Aid Student Ambassador for Skyline College, most recently worked with Karen at Capuchino High School assisting high school seniors and their families to complete their financial aid applications for the upcoming Fall 2023 semester. Karen shares that “Jonathan wasted no time jumping in and helping those who needed help. He put students and their families at ease by listening to their needs and answering their questions. I witnessed Jonathan make a connection and truly engage with each family he came across.”

Jonathan’s compassion comes from his personal experience. He understands firsthand what it’s like to have financial hardships, but that obstacle didn’t stop him from going after his dream of achieving higher education.

A native of Pacifica, California, Jonathan comes from a two-parent household and is the second to youngest of five siblings. While he was growing up, the family lived in low-income, section 8 housing, from which they were eventually and unfortunately displaced. For some time, the family moved into an RV while they slowly fixed up the home his father owned. Every chance his family had they would devote themselves to making small improvements. As soon as the home became habitable, they moved in and to this day they continue to fix things slowly.

Immediately after graduation from Oceana High School in Pacifica, Jonathan began attending Skyline College because it was affordable and he could continue to live at home. He is a first-generation college student currently completing his second semester at Skyline College and will graduate with his Associate of Arts degree in History for transfer in May 2023. After he achieves his bachelor’s degree, he plans to pursue a career in teaching. His personal experience at Skyline College along with his love of teaching youth has helped shape his career goal of either becoming an educator or administrator at a community college.

Jonathan is part of many essential support programs at Skyline College and he receives scholarships and financial aid to help pay for his education. In addition, Jonathan is a Promise Scholar, part of the TRIO Program, and receives the support of a SAM card (Student Aid Meals) from Sparkpoint Services. Programs such as these have helped Jonathan pay for basic living expenses such as gas and groceries while helping to alleviate the burden of asking his parents to help him pay for college.

When he first started attending Skyline College, Jonathan found it difficult to become involved because the majority of his classes were held online. As classes started to take place in person, he became very active and joined Phi Theta Kappa, Brothers Achieving Milestones Club, Active Minds Club, and was voted Vice President of Student Government. He also participates in SPARC, the College Governance Council, District Council, and Institutional Effectiveness. Jonathan is involved in extracurricular activities outside of school as well, including participating in beach and street clean-ups. The experience Jonathan has gained through these activities has enabled him to connect with others, be more open-minded in decision-making, and become a good role model for other students.

Jonathan has been the recipient of many scholarships including the Dale and Helen Mersereau Scholarship, Atkinson Foundation Scholarship, and CSEA Chapter 33 Scholarship. These scholarships are helping him get through community college by covering transportation, car repairs, food, and other educational expenses. Because of scholarships such as these, Jonathan hasn’t had to take out student loans. He has also been able to save for tuition for the university to which he will eventually transfer. “Jonathan has told me how grateful he is to the people who donate to scholarships. He knows that it is with the support of our donors from the San Mateo County Community College District that his college dream has been made possible.”