The Palo Verde College Foundation relies upon the service of those in the community with a deep desire to give back. These individuals know that through their service to others, our community has access to a skilled labor force, and they give students the opportunity to reach their educational goals. Palo Verde College Foundation Directors manage the assets, and the business and financial affairs of the Foundation. The Board of Directors serves as the policy making body of the Palo Verde College Foundation and they annually adopt a budget to support and control the fundraising activities of the Foundation.
The Board of Directors primary role is to expand the financial resources of the Foundation and the stewardship of those funds for the maximum benefit of the College, scholarships, a variety of grant programs, and its community. The Foundation Board of Directors is an active, working, participatory organization, and our Directors personal involvement is key to the success of the Foundation.
2023-2024
Executive Committee |
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Marcella Thomas, President (Elected 2002)
Marcella serves as the President of the PVC Foundation Board and has previously worked at the college as an adjunct instructor. She was born and raised in Blythe, and is an alum of Palo Verde Valley High School and Palo Verde Community College. She is active in the Blythe Area Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the PVUSD Alternate Governance Group. Marcella loves education and helping others succeed using education as a means to a better life. |
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Lois Shaffer, Vice President (Elected 2014)
Lois moved to Blythe in 1986 as an elementary school teacher, and is currently the Director of Data, Assessment, and Accountability at Palo Verde Unified School District. She has a Master's of Science degree in Educational Administration. She is a member of the Rotary Club, Blythe Chamber of Commerce Board, and also a member of the Zion Lutheran Church Council and Elders' Board. Lois loves spending time with her daughter, who attends Palo Verde College. |
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Dr. Robert Miller, Secretary (Ex-Officio 2023)
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Stephanie Slagan, Vice President of Administrative Services (Ex-Officio 2018)
Stephanie serves as the Executive Director of Palo Verde College Foundation, and has worked at the college since 2006, serving in various roles within the Administrative Services and Student Services offices. She has a Master's Degree in Public Administration, and is both a Palo Verde Valley High School and Palo Verde Community College alum. Stephanie loves everything Disney, and enjoys taking frequent trips to Disneyland with her husband Andrew and two children Abigail and Taylor. |
Directors |
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Louise Alford (Elected 2012)
Louise has dedicated her life and career to the education of children and adults. She is a 1952 alum of Palo Verde Community College, where she currently teaches as an adjunct instructor, and has lived in Blythe since 1940. Louise loves spending time with her family and friends celebrating holidays, birthdays and other events. Louise is very active in the St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, as well as other community clubs and associations. |
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Mike Cusick (Elected 2022)
Mike has been active with the Foundation since 2022.
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Kim Dieu (Elected 2023)
Kim has been active with the Foundation since 2023. |
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Cecy Garcia(Elected 2022)
Cecy has been active with the Foundation since 2022.
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Joey Halby (Elected 2022)
Joey has been active with the Foundation since 2022. |
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Teresa Houston (Elected 2011)
Teresa currently teaches at the Palo Verde Valley High School as an English Instructor, and is a graduate of the PVVHS Class of 1991. She has a Bachelor's Degree in English from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and a Teaching Credential from National University. Teresa was born and raised in Blythe, where she resides with her husband and three children. She is very active in the community, coaching in Blythe Little League, and Blythe PAL, Desert Dolphin Swim team coach and swim instructor. She is also very active in the St. Joan of Arc church serving in the Altar Society and Catechist. |
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Denise Hunt(Elected 2018)
Denise serves at the Executive Assistant to the Superintendent/President and Foundation and has worked at Palo Verde Community College since 2001, spending a considerable amount of time assisting the Foundation. She moved to Blythe in 1989, and is a Palo Verde College alum, as are her two children. Denise is passionate about family genealogy and enjoys painting, crocheting, crafting and all types of music and cooking. |
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Leslie Jessop-Watkins (Elected 2020)
Leslie has made Blythe her home since 1978 with the exception of 6 years of service in the United States Navy after graduating from Palo Verde High School. She owns several small businesses with her husband Rory and they are active in many community functions. Leslie holds a Master’s of Business Administration and has been an adjunct instructor in Business for Palo Verde College since 2019. She joined the Palo Verde College Foundation board in 2020 and serves on the Scholarship Committee. Leslie is an advocate for adults with disabilities and serves on the Sheltering Wings board of directors in Blythe, where the abilities of adults are emphasized. Leslie and Rory are avid travelers and they enjoy boating, fishing, camping, and photography in their spare time. |
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Albert Martinez/u> (Elected 2022)
Albert has been active with the Foundation since 2022. |
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Cecilia Martinez (Elected 2023)
Cecilia has been active with the Foundation since 2023. |
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Jon McNeil (Elected 2020)
Currently retired, Jon has lived in Needles, California for the last year and a half. He worked in education for 45 years as a teacher, coach and administrator. Jon attended Monrovia High School, Citrus Community College and graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with his Bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science with a PE minor. He got a teaching credential from La Vern College and his administration Masters and credential from Azusa Pacific College. He attended USC for a Doctorate and will resume his dissertation. Still serving as a consult for schools and serving on many boards, Jon considers himself to be a very active and involved person. Jon’s wife is the school superintendent in Needles and his stepson is the director of economic development.
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Laci Miller (Elected 2022)
Laci has been active with the Foundation since 2022. |
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Jaclyn Randall (Ex-Officio 2022)
Jaclyn has been active with the Foundation since 2022. |
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Mayra Robles (Elected 2022)
Mayra has been active with the Foundation since 2022. |
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Rafael Robles (Elected 2022)
Rafael has been active with the Foundation since 2022. |
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George Rojas (Elected 2022)
George has been active with the Foundation since 2022. |
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Luz Rojas (Elected 2022)
Luz has been active with the Foundation since 2022. |
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Javier Rubalcava (EElected 2022)
Javier has been active with the Foundation since 2022. |
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Edward Singh (Elected 2020)
As the current Director of Special Services for the Palo Verde Unified School District and former Director of Student Services for the Brawley Elementary School District, Edward has supervised more than 1000 Special Education staff members in a career spanning over 30 years. To this day, he still visits classrooms and stays connected to counselors, school psychologist, special education teachers, mental health providers and students who appreciate his personal touch. His thirty years in Student Services/Special Education have won him praise from students and colleagues who describe Edward as “a transformational leader and a professional.” Beyond the Palo Verde Unified School District, he is passing his expertise on to a new generation of counselors, psychologist and mental health professionals by teaching at Palo Verde College. Edward has helped create many programs that have become models for special education and counseling models across the two counties. In addition to his professional life, he is a husband, father, and grandfather of two grandchildren. |
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Emeritus Directors |
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| Ron Baker, 2018 |
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