Impact Report: Year-End 2020

Michal Settles

Dr. Michal Foriest Settles and Mr. William Calvin Settles, Named Fund Scholarship Donors

Inspired by a scholarship challenge posed by North Central University President Scott Hagen, Dr. Michal Foriest Settles and husband William Calvin Settles created the George Floyd Justice Fund at San Mateo County Community Colleges Foundation. Mr. Floyd, an unarmed African American man, was killed by police during an arrest in Minneapolis in May 2020. Educational institutions across the country have created memorial scholarships to promote awareness of racial inequities and support emerging leaders who are passionate about bettering their communities.

When Dr. Settles, a professor of Human Resources, Retirement Planning, and Organizational Behavior, first heard about the George Floyd scholarship movement, she and William immediately stepped up. “We’ve always invested in scholarships so we researched several campuses to find a place where we could contribute to the cause. We decided to create an opportunity here in San Mateo because of the diversity in this community.”

The scholarship will help first-time or returning students, with a track record of social justice volunteerism, pay tuition. Through an ongoing campaign, the Settles will encourage other donors to support promising leaders who can take bold steps toward racial justice at College of San Mateo. “Investing in education and equity improves the climate on campus for everyone. And when students graduate they’ll be prepared to recognize and change racialized disparities in our community.”

Dr. Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza, President of College of San Mateo and former community college student, understands the significance of improving outcomes for first generation college students of color: “The death of George Floyd set off an urgent national and much needed call to action to address systemic racial inequities. The George Floyd Justice Fund strives for equity as it supports student leaders who themselves are social justice advocates. Through philanthropic efforts like this scholarship, we promote education for all, now and beyond as we intentionally uplift students in our communities who are committed to giving back in meaningful, consequential ways.”

To make a contribution to the George Floyd Justice Fund visit the Foundation's donation page.