As Bill Chunowitz sees it, College of the Desert’s success is the Coachella Valley’s success. That is why he and his wife, Joanne, have been ardent supporters of the College since 2014.

“Most of the students end up staying here and working after graduation, so everybody wins,” said Chunowitz, president of the College of the Desert Foundation’s Board of Directors.

His donations are used where they are most needed to help the College and its students stay competitive in academic and training programs, whether that means purchasing the latest equipment or hiring talented instructors.

“I love the College. We’re doing good things and expanding,” he said.

Chunowitz served on the 2019 Stepping Out for COD Committee, which brought record attendance to the McCallum Theatre and is a member of the President’s Circle, which supports priority programs at the College.

Chunowitz is a retired CPA who has been a full-time desert resident since 2008. Before coming to Rancho Mirage, he lived in Chicago, where he helped found a Ronald McDonald House to help the families of children with cancer. Now, fortunately, Chunowitz devotes his energies to College of the Desert.

“I’m a big advocate for community college because of the cost of education today,” he said. “It gives young people an opportunity to elevate themselves and fulfill their dreams that they might not otherwise have.”