Name Dropping | Marla Novo named interim executive director of Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History – Santa Cruz Sentinel

SANTA CRUZ — The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History recently named Marla Novo as its interim executive director.

The announcement comes after Executive Director Robb Woulfe announced in May he would be leaving in the coming months after four years as his family would be relocating.

The Museum of Art & History says Novo has dedicated her career to enhancing the local cultural scene. “I love this County and downtown Santa Cruz. For decades, I’ve walked to work, pondering the hidden stories MAH can reveal and the creative projects we can support. “I look forward to continuing to work with my wonderful colleagues to advance MAH’s vision as we search for a permanent Executive Director,” she said in a statement.

Woulfe was hired in early 2020 after Nina Simon left in 2019 to create a global nonprofit.

“I am proud of where the MAH is today,” Woolfe said in a statement in May. “The board, staff, and I have worked very hard to enhance programs and build financial resilience during an incredibly difficult period. I am confident that the board can now facilitate a seamless succession process.”

According to the Museum of Art & History, Novo has 30 years of curatorial experience and a deep commitment to MAH’s mission. It added that Novo has been a Santa Cruz resident since age 2.

The Museum of Art & History is actively searching for a long-term executive director, a process facilitated by Fortress and Flourish. The museum said it values ​​community engagement and has incorporated feedback from over 200 survey responses to define the criteria for this important role. The search aims to find a leader who aligns with the community’s vision and aspirations for MAH.

Jorian Wilkins, Board Chair of MAH, said in a statement: “We are committed to finding a visionary leader who will continue to advance our mission and values. The community’s input has been invaluable in shaping the profile of our next Executive Director.”

Central Coast Impact Scholarship awardees named

The California Legislative Central Coast Caucus Foundation recently announced the inaugural Central Coast Impact Scholarship recipients.

Among this year’s recipients is Gina Guzman, a dedicated CNA who found her passion in geriatrics. Her volunteer work at ROTAcare, assisting underserved populations in Monterey County, inspired her to pursue a career in nursing. Despite educational setbacks, Gina is now thriving in her nursing studies at Cabrillo College.

“I am incredibly excited to announce the Central Coast Impact Scholarship awardees,” said Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay), chair of the Central Coast Caucus, in a statement. “These students have shown remarkable dedication to their education and their communities. They will significantly contribute to the Central Coast and beyond our region. Supporting their academic journeys is an investment in their futures and the future of our entire region.”

This initiative awarded scholarships to 20 students from the five counties of the California Central Coast: Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura.

In addition to Guzman, the other recipients were Giovanni Aguirre, Avilene Bautista, Azalea M Corral, Mia Aileen Dean, Nicholas Harper Dean, Sophia Rene Emens, Rosalva Lilly Farias, Camilo Arturo Garcia, Bijan Ali Ghiasi, Zoe Gonzalez, Hayden Patrick Henry, Kaleolani Isaiah Ilac, Patrick Kelly, Irene Isabel Moreno Gutierrez, Magaly Ogarrio Munoz, Aneliz Ortega, Christopher Reyes Quiroz, Agle Rosales and Daniel Thomas Wellman IV.

SJSU Alumni Santa Cruz Chapter selects scholarship winners

The Santa Cruz Chapter of the San Jose State University Alumni Association selected seven local students to receive renewable scholarships to attend San Jose State in the fall.

The recipients are Valerie Cortez-Baez, a Watsonville High graduate who will major in public health; and Natalya Hammond, an Aptos High graduate who will major in information science and data analytics.

The following Cabrillo College transfer students also received scholarships: Christina Haslam, who will major in sociology; Jacqueline Mendoza, who will major in civil engineering; James Olivo-Salguero, who will major in psychology; Sriman Ujhanthachhen, who will major in computer science, and Paola Vizcarra, who will major in information science and data analytics.

The local SJSU Alumni Chapter awards up to $20,000 annually in renewable scholarships to new and continuing students from Santa Cruz County high schools and from Cabrillo College. Scholarships are funded by individual donations and an annual holiday luncheon and auction. Donations are always welcome. For more information about scholarship eligibility and to learn how to join the chapter and/or to make a donation, visit www.sjsualumnisantacruz.org.

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