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Hello!
Welcome, September!
A new semester always brings a sense of excitement to
El Camino—new students arriving on campus and new goals taking shape.
As we welcome the fall semester, I’m reminded of how fortunate we are to have such a caring and generous Foundation community. Your support makes a real difference in the lives of our students, whether it’s helping a student receive a scholarship or supporting a program.
There is so much to celebrate at El Camino, and I’m grateful to share a few of those stories with you in this issue. Thank you for being part of our El Camino family and for all you do for our students.
Warmly,
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Andrea Sala | Executive Director
El Camino College Foundation
| | Save the Date: November 6, 2026 | El Camino's State of the College | | |
Please join us for the eighth annual State of the College to learn how El Camino College is helping shape the workforce of the future and create greater economic opportunity for students, employers, and our community. You’ll hear from ECC President/CEO Brenda Thames and other college and community leaders about the visionary planning we have undertaken to prepare our community for the opportunities ahead.
Event Details:
Friday, November 6, 2026
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
El Camino College, East Dining Room | Parking in Lot C
Lunch will be served.
El Camino College’s State of the College is an opportunity to connect with the community and learn how the college is integral to meeting the South Bay and Los Angeles County’s rapidly evolving workforce needs.
Additional event information can be found HERE.
Please RSVP by Friday, October 30, to marcomm@elcamino.edu or 310-660-3406.
| | Business Division to Offer Student Entrepreneurial Pitch Competition | | |
What happens when an El Camino College student has a great business idea and the opportunity to turn it into something real? This fall, student entrepreneurs are putting their ideas to the test through “Launch & Grow Your Business,” a virtual business plan pitch competition that gives them the opportunity to develop and present an original business plan—and compete for up to $4,000 in seed funding to help launch their venture.
Open to all students enrolled in the fall 2026 semester, the hands-on competition is coordinated by
El Camino’s Entrepreneurial Studies program in partnership with the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) Everyday Entrepreneur Program + Fund. The program provides aspiring entrepreneurs with education, funding, and mentoring as they learn what it takes to turn an idea into a business.
Learn more about the "Launch & Grow Your Business" competition HERE.
| Intern South Bay is a Win-Win for Students and Local Employers | |
Intern South Bay connects El Camino College students with local employers for an eight-week paid summer internship, providing hands-on experience, mentorship, and career connections in high-demand fields.
Now entering its third summer, the program supported 35 student interns this past summer. When primary grant funding ended, the El Camino College Foundation stepped in to keep the program going—covering student wages for the eight-week internship.
South Bay Employers:
Want to host a 2027 summer intern at no cost to your business? It’s a win-win: students gain valuable real-world experience while employers connect with emerging local talent and help build the region’s future workforce. Learn more by viewing the program flyer HERE, or contact Dr. Carla Camacho, Career Services Specialist, at ccamacho@elcamino.edu. Let’s put South Bay talent to work!
At the Intern South Bay Reception, Victoria Lozzi (pictured far right), Palos Verdes Estates Councilmember, former Mayor, and ECC Foundation Board member, represented the City of Palos Verdes Estates. She is joined by City of PVE student interns Minh-Tuan Nguyen and Angel Flores (center), who were recognized for their outstanding work, and Heidi Wang (far left), who represented the ECC Foundation for its program support.
| Alumni Spotlight: Wesley Marshall | El Camino College '25, Stanford University '27 | |
Meet Wesley Marshall, one of this year’s New Student Orientation (NSO) coordinators at Stanford University.
Wesley transferred from El Camino College, built his own major in engineering design and business administration, and helped lead the planning of Stanford's New Student Orientation for all the incoming first-year and transfer students.
While at El Camino, Wesley served as a Student Trustee and was the Student Representative on the El Camino College Foundation Board of Directors. We are so proud of Wesley and wish him continued success. Go Cardinal and Fear the Tree!
Launch the NSO video featuring Wesley Marshall HERE.
| | It's Game Time! Come Out to Support Warriors Football | | |
As the Warriors take the field for the 2026 season, fans can look forward to some exciting home games and the chance to cheer on our team! This season, we’ll also look back on one of the program’s most memorable accomplishments as we honor the 2006 State Championship team during a special 20th anniversary celebration on October 24th!
Join us at Murdock Stadium to root for the Warriors, reconnect with fellow alumni, and celebrate the players who helped make El Camino football history.
Upcoming Home Game Schedule:
Thursday, October 8th @ 6pm vs San Diego Mesa
Saturday, October 24th @ 6pm vs Southwestern | 20th Anniversary Celebration of the 2006 State Championship team. Parking only available in Lots C and D for this game.
Saturday, November 7th @ 6pm vs Saddleback
View El Camino Football's news, season schedule, and roster HERE.
Read about the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the 2006 State Championship team HERE.
| | Community Partners Spotlight: A Peek Under the Hood at Honda | | |
Honda is committed to supporting the communities it serves. Therefore, earlier this month, Honda welcomed its local community partners to an Open House at the North American headquarters in Torrance.
The event included a presentation on Honda’s operations, an inside look at the company’s work, including its hybrid cars and safety measures, and a tour of the campus. A special sneak peek inside Honda’s Design Center and a hands-on look at its virtual reality technology were an added treat!
Honda is a generous supporter of El Camino's manufacturing and technology initiatives. To date, Honda has gifted nearly $450,000 to the El Camino College Foundation to support Dual Enrollment Manufacturing Pathways, event sponsorships, community partners, scholarships, and South Bay Promise programs.
Special thanks to Roxana Salcedo, Honda's Southern CA Community & Government Relations Lead (pictured right center). Also pictured (L to R): Donna Duperron, Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce; Andrea Sala and Heidi Wang, El Camino College Foundation (far right).
| | Out & About: September Was A Busy Month Supporting Our South Bay Chambers of Commerce | | |
El Camino College Foundation's very own Andrea Sala was invited to participate in the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business panel, A Conversation Across Generations. Panelists shared candid stories about navigating careers, family, and relationships, along with their perspectives on what the future holds.
Seated from L to R: Event Co-Chair Julieta Aramburo (ECC), Alissa Winkler (Estate Properties), Gesuina Lafayette (Torrance Refining Company), Edna Molina (DoubleTree by Hilton Torrance), Andrea Sala (ECC Foundation), and Event Co-Chair Erika Garcia (At E's).
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It was a pleasure to support the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce's 2026 Lunch with the Mayor. Mayor Joe Franklin provided a mid-year update on business and community issues impacting Manhattan Beach. The new Chamber Board of Directors was also installed. It was a wonderful afternoon of conversation and connection at the beautiful Belamar Hotel.
Pictured from L to R: Trisha Murakawa (ECCCD Trustee), Heidi Wang (ECC Foundation), Andrea Sala (ECC Foundation), Heath Gregory (Baron Equities/ECC Foundation Board), Joe Franklin (Manhattan Beach Mayor), and Ann O'Brien (ECC).
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The El Segundo Chamber of Commerce brought together South Bay business and community leaders for its 2nd annual Creative Economy Breakfast at Mattel's headquarters in El Segundo. The event showcased the creativity and innovation driving our local economy and explored the intersection of entertainment, design, technology, and business in our region.
Pictured L to R. Back Row: Anakin Hall (ECC art student), Heidi Wang (ECC Foundation), Eric Holman (ECC Art Professor), Paul Chen (Mattel), Adrian Delgado (ECC), and Ann O'Brien (ECC). Front Row: ECC art students Yana Kalmykova, Emma Matsumoto, Ashley Quintana, and Min Kim.
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Together, We Can Make a Difference
As we enter the giving season—a time when many of us think about the organizations and causes that are meaningful to us—we hope you’ll consider including
El Camino College students in your year-end giving.
Your support can help provide a scholarship or assist a student facing an unexpected financial challenge. You will give students opportunities that help them succeed in college and beyond.
Thank you for believing in El Camino students and for being part of their journey. We are so grateful for your continued support.
| | | The El Camino College Foundation (EIN 95-3874302) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, dedicated to fund and support student success programs at El Camino College. | | | | |
