At the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC), every scholarship tells a story of perseverance, promise and impact and Barbra Ann Wagner is a shining example. Barbra Ann, a proud first-generation Otter at CSU Monterey Bay majoring in Business Administration, is a recipient of the Steve and Marti Diamond Scholarship of the CFMC.
Raised in a household shaped by adversity—her mother diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at 19 and her father, a medically retired correctional officer coping with PTSD—Barbra Ann found strength in faith, love and music.
Strength in Community
Her passion for music began at age three. Encouraged and mentored by her father, she grew into a performer, singing and playing drums across the Salinas area. Performing led her to community service—singing at American Legion fundraisers, Relay for Life events and the California Rodeo Salinas, among others. Her performances have supported causes such as cancer research, toy drives for Natividad Pediatrics and programs for adults with intellectual disabilities.
Barbra Ann is also a worship leader at her church, viewing her role as a way to uplift and prepare hearts for life-changing messages. Her love for both creativity and leadership inspired her to major in business, realizing that the arts and business must work together to thrive.
This would not have been a reality for me without their generous financial support through this difficult time."
Strength in Giving
At CSUMB, she has seized opportunities like interviewing the vendors and small business owners at the Monterey Jazz Festival, a project led by former professor Colleen Bailey. She learned firsthand the importance of perseverance and dedication, reaffirming her desire to use business to help others, especially local entrepreneurs.
Barbra Ann’s journey has not been easy. In her first semester at CSUMB, she unexpectedly lost her father—her biggest supporter. While grieving, she managed funeral arrangements, cared for her mother and assumed responsibility for her father’s estate—all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. This tragic loss has become a source of renewed motivation to fulfill the dreams she and her father shared.
Barbra Ann credits the scholarship for helping her afford on-campus living and pursue her education fully. “This would not have been a reality for me without their generous financial support through this difficult time,” she says. With her education and experience, she hopes to empower local small businesses and continue enriching her community through both business and music.
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CFMC is proud to work with students like Barbra Ann and our generous scholarship fund holders to invest in future leaders and create healthy, safe, vibrant communities for generations to come.
To learn more about how you can get involved, visit:Â cfmco.org/scholarships
