Awards Presented at Centennial Gala Recognize a Beloved Professor, a Community Champion, and a Philanthropic Alumnus
NOVATO / KENTFIELD, CA — College of Marin (COM) celebrated its 100th anniversary Saturday evening with the inaugural presentation of the College of Marin Impact Awards, honoring three individuals whose commitment to accessible education exemplifies the College’s mission and inspires its next century of service to the community.
The awards were presented during the Centennial Gala, a fundraising event held April 4, 2026, to celebrate 100 years of transformative education in Marin County and to advance the College’s $20 million Centennial Endowment Campaign.
“This centennial is a moment to honor the people who have made us who we are,” said COM Superintendent/President Jonathan Eldridge. “These three inaugural Impact Award recipients represent the very best of what is possible when education, community, and commitment come together. We are proud to recognize them and to carry their example forward into the next 100 years.”
Going forward, the College will present one or more Impact Awards annually to recognize individuals or organizations that have made a meaningful difference in education aligned with the College’s mission.
EMPLOYEE IMPACT AWARD
Professor Walter Turner
Faculty, Social Sciences | College of Marin
Walter Turner has taught at College of Marin for more than 50 years—more than half of the institution’s entire history. A Marin City native whose family was among the community’s early settlers, Turner has dedicated his career to centering the histories and experiences of African and African American communities, both in the classroom and beyond.
Turner was a pioneering figure in the development of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University before joining College of Marin’s Social Sciences faculty, where he has chaired the department and led global delegations to Africa and Cuba. He co-founded the College’s Umoja Learning Community, which supports students of color in navigating higher education, and continues to serve as a faculty leader in the Umoja Equity Institute.
Over five decades, Turner has shaped the educational journeys of countless students across Marin and beyond, earning him a reputation as a professor who doesn’t just teach; he transforms. His work in radio, community organizing, and international scholarship reflects a life-long commitment to equity, dignity, and empowering others through knowledge.
“You’ve got people who are coming back to school, people who are retraining for a career, and to know that you have something to offer is the greatest feeling in the world.”
— Professor Walter Turner
COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD
Kim Mazzuca
President & CEO, 10,000 Degrees
Kim Mazzuca has led 10,000 Degrees (formerly the Marin Education Fund) since 1999, transforming it into California’s leading equity-focused scholarship and college success nonprofit. Under her leadership, the organization has grown from serving 400 students in one county to reaching more than 16,000 students and families annually across eight Bay Area counties and Utah.
A first-generation college student herself, Mazzuca reoriented 10,000 Degrees to serve exclusively students from low-income backgrounds. Today, 93% of its students are from communities of color and 92% are first-generation college students, with over 80% of four-year college participants earning their bachelor’s degrees.
10,000 Degrees maintains a vital on-campus presence at College of Marin, with Fellows embedded on campus to provide academic support, financial aid counseling, and near-peer coaching. The organization’s partnership with the College also launched the Summer Bridge program in 2013, which has helped hundreds of incoming students build the skills and confidence to succeed in college.
Mazzuca has been recognized by the Marin Women’s Hall of Fame, San Francisco State University, and the National College Access Network, among others. Most recently, philanthropist MacKenzie Scott invested $42 million in 10,000 Degrees in recognition of the organization’s proven impact.
“Education changes lives, it changes families, it changes communities, it changes workplaces, and we need it now, more than ever.”
— Kim Mazzuca
ALUMNI IMPACT AWARD
Louis Bershad
Alumnus, Class of 1960 | Founder, SDB Partners, Inc.
Louis Bershad attended College of Marin from 1958 to 1960, where professors in the Business and Drama departments took a personal interest in a young man navigating serious hardship, including the loss of his father and periods of homelessness. That mentorship changed the course of his life.
After graduating, Bershad served in the United States Marine Corps before building a successful career as a talent agent in Beverly Hills, eventually founding SDB Partners, Inc., which he has led with his wife, Ro Diamond, for more than five decades.
Bershad has never forgotten where his journey began. He and Ro established the Ro and Louis Bershad Scholarships in Business and Drama, honoring the professors who believed in him, along with an additional nursing scholarship. This year, they made a transformational $1 million gift to the College’s Centennial Endowment Campaign, ensuring that future students will have the same opportunities that once changed his life. Louis and Ro are proud members of the College of Marin 1926 Legacy Society.
“I’ve been there, and I stand with you. Please do not give up. Do not quit. Don’t let the forces of evil or poverty or anything stand in your way. Fight, fight, fight! And one day, you will look back to now and you’ll be able to say this was your finest hour.”
— Louis Bershad
About College of Marin
College of Marin (Marin Community College District) has served the Marin County community since 1926, offering a wide range of academic programs, career and technical education, and student support services designed to ensure that every student has access to a high-quality education. With campuses in Kentfield and Novato, the College is committed to equity, student success, and its role as a catalyst for positive community change. Learn more at marin.edu.
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