$12,000 in grant and scholarship funding will provide v​ital ​resources for students developing industry-ready skills in CNC technology​

(SANTA ANA, CA.) - On September 3, 2025, The Santa Ana College Manufacturing Technology Department was awarded $12,000 through The Gene Haas Foundation's Post Secondary School Level Grant. The grant’s purpose is to build skills in the manufacturing industry by providing resources for CNC Machine Technology students. The grant will go towards assisting students in covering the cost of their academic programs while they complete their courses in the SAC Manufacturing Technology program.  ​​

“We are very grateful for receiving this funding from the Gene Haas Foundation,” said Acting Dean of Hu​​man Service and Technology Matthew Valerius. “This is a great opportunity to support first generation students who are looking to start a career in the growing field of manufacturing technology.”  

Santa Ana College has had a lengthy partnership with Haas Automation, a manufacturer of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines, beginning when the company provided industry-standard equipment to SAC’s Manufacturing Technology department. These machines have enhanced the learning experience at SAC, preparing students for a seamless transition to a career in CNC mill and lathe operations, metal technology, and other manufacturing jobs.  

Haas Automation and SAC Manufacturing Technology took their partnership to another level through the Post Secondary School Level Grant from the Gene Haas Foundation (GHF), as they invest in the future workforce by reducing equity gaps for incoming students. The SAC Foundation helped facilitate the application process for the grant on behalf of the Manufacturing Technology program. 

“We were extremely happy that there was an opportunity to work with the Manufacturing Technology department in this capacity,” said SAC Foundation Director Christina Romero. “This process builds synergy to help us build new pathways to resources for our students.”   

The $12,000 earned from the grant will go towards covering enrollment fees, textbooks, and learning material costs, as well as course​ tools that are needed to learn in the classroom. By reducing financial obstacles, SAC hopes to see more students encouraged to begin their academic journey in the Manufacturing Technology program.  

“This initial gift will certainly go a long way with underwriting some of the barriers that student’s face while trying to complete their program and career goals​​​,” said Alexander Zonin, strategic planner and faculty member in the SAC Manufacturing Technology department. “We are just really excited that Haas, as a technology partner, recognized that our students certainly deserve to be helped financially.” 

The SAC Manufacturing Technology Department offers five different associate degrees, including CNC Lathe, CNC Machine, CNC Milling Machine, CNC Programmer Mastercam, and Conventional Machining Option. The department also features seven Certificates of Achievement programs and one Certificate of Proficiency.  

Formally approved in 1970, the Manufacturing Technology department has evolved and adapted to the growing field of manufacturing, staying relevant with industry-standard protocols and equipment that will help students transition smoothly to the workforce.  

“We want to instill in our students that we are really supported by the industrial community around us and that there are plenty of those jobs out there,” said Zonin. “We want them to know that it’s not just the school that is there for them, but there are companies that want them to succeed with their studies. We pride ourselves on finding jobs for people while they're still in school or shortly upon graduation, helping them move up the workforce quite fast.”  ​

​About Gene Haas Foundation: 

The Gene Haas Foundation was established to give back to the community by supporting local charities in Ventura County, California, where Gene Haas’s business is based. Early efforts focused on organizations such as the Bo​ys & Girls Clubs, Food Share, and the Rescue Mission, among others, to assist those in need. Over time, the Foundation’s mission expanded to support a cause Gene Haas is deeply passionate about: enhancing manufacturing education and introducing young people to careers in industry. Today, the Gene Haas Foundation donates millions annually to educational programs and community organizations. All grants are awarded exclusively to tax-exempt entities through an online application process. In 2024 alone, the Foundation distributed over $32 million in grants, bringing its total contributions since 1999 to more than $225 million.​ For more information visit https://www.ghaasfoundation.org/.