Sonbol Aliabadi oversaw two decades of growth in Foundation giving and programs
Rocklin, Calif.- Sierra College Foundation (SCF) recently announced that longtime Executive Director Sonbol Aliabadi will retire at the end of May 2026.
Over her 22-year tenure, the Foundation dramatically expanded access and opportunity for Sierra College students – mobilizing more than $22 million in community support, awarding nearly $7 million in scholarships, and delivering major initiatives in student housing, allied health, entrepreneurship, technology and more that reduced financial and structural barriers so more students could enroll, persist, and complete their education.
Among the transformational programs launched under Aliabadi's leadership, the Foundation announced in December that it had raised more than $2 million in community support to provide free room and board to 9 students at Sierra College's new, on-campus student housing facility. The innovative and unique "Endow-a-Bed" program will provide free room and board every year in perpetuity, ensuring that there are always rooms available and paid in full for students with the greatest need.
"Transformation Shift in Understanding"
"Endow-a-Bed is a true capstone that represents everything that our Foundation has spent years building with our community partners," said Aliabadi. "A need is brought to us, we think creatively to generate a practical solution and work tirelessly with our donors to make it happen.
Aliabadi continued: "Together with Sierra College, we have made a transformational shift in understanding that supporting student success is much more than what happens on campus or in the classroom. Even in a thriving community like ours, 63 percent of our students cannot afford their most basic needs for food, housing or transportation. Our challenge, and our opportunity, has been to approach this work more broadly and serve the whole person so they can succeed in life, not just the student. Our committed Foundation team and Board of Directors are prepared to elevate this work even further."
Student Support Programs
Under Aliabadi's leadership, the Foundation has helped launch or provided direct support to a diverse array of student support programs at Sierra College, including:
- Student Assistance Fund Endowment (SAFE) to defray the cost of living for students.
- Sierra College's Basic Needs Center that offers food, toiletries and other resources for students facing hardships.
- Guardian Scholars Program for Former Foster Youth that offers financial assistance to emancipated youth.
- Veteran's Success Center that supports veterans returning to civilian life.
- Emergency Fund for Students that provides support for critical and one-time emergencies so students can stay in school.
- More than 150 scholarships available to Sierra College Students.
- Re-launched the Sierra College Alumni Association.
Financial Support
The Foundation provides direct financial support to Sierra College athletics, its Career Technical Education programs like Mechatronics, Nursing and Construction, the LIFE program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as innovation and entrepreneurship programs and the Sierra College Workforce Summit.
"The love and dedication that Sonbol has shown Sierra College students over the last 22 years is nothing short of extraordinary," said SCF President and Former Placer County Sheriff Ed Bonner. "Her care and passion for the students are what has made this organization a true success. Her spirit and attitude are contagious; she makes you want to love and support these students as much she does. She has assisted in the realization of so many educational dreams and has laid an incredible foundation for the organization's continued success."
Hailed as a "Guiding Light"
"As the leader and guiding light of our Foundation, Sonbol has been an invaluable partner to Sierra College and essential to our culture of putting students' needs first, thinking entrepreneurially, and working tirelessly to create the very best education experience for all," said Sierra College Superintendent/President Willy Duncan. "Because of Sonbol's vision and drive, we have free room and board for nine students, forever. Sonbol has influenced the growth and success of Sierra College in too many ways to count, but we see her influence everywhere from our $350 million campus modernization to the thousands of individual students she has helped us serve through scholarships, program support or basic needs assistance."
"Among my proudest moments was the community's approval of Measure E to invest hundreds of millions of dollars to modernize our 80-year-old campus and provide students and faculty with facilities that matched the quality of our programs and people," said Aliabadi. "That moment was a breakthrough in truly becoming our community's college that is here to serve everyone. Now, with a Board of 20 dedicated community leaders, a growing staff team and incredible momentum, I'm confident the Foundation is well positioned to continue showing up to do this meaningful work."
Looking Forward
Aliabadi looks forward to spending time with her husband and family – especially her grandchildren- in retirement but stresses she won't be going too far. A resident of Granite Bay for 37 years, she looks forward to continued community involvement, serving on a number of corporate and non-profit boards, and continuing to champion SCF, the College and its students.
Executive Search begins
The SCF Board of Directors will be conducting an extensive executive search to find Aliabadi's replacement. Aliabadi will remain as Executive Director through the end of May of 2026, leading a team of five that oversees donor relations, fund development, planned giving, annual giving, alumni association activities, event production and more.