Allan Hancock College has received a major gift from the estate of the late Barbara Andrastek, a Santa Maria resident who bequeathed $380,000 to the college’s nursing programs.  
 
“We are always deeply moved when a member of the community leaves a gift for Hancock students in their estate plans,” said Jon Hooten, Hancock executive director of college advancement. “Mrs. Andrastek was never a student at Hancock, but her legacy will live on through generations of nursing students here.”

Andrastek passed away at the age of 84 on March 23, 2018. The gift from her estate was placed in a permanent endowment that will benefit Hancock’s nursing programs in perpetuity.

The college’s nursing programs currently plan to use the funds to further develop skills simulation and clinical support for students in Hancock’s Licensed Vocation Nursing (LVN), Certified Nursing Assisting (CNA) and Registered Nursing (RN) programs.

“The generous donation to our nursing programs will be thoughtfully used to promote and support clinical student learning in the skills lab setting,” said Bonny Friedrich, Hancock LVN Program director and instructor. “This has been an area of significant need, and the gift will enable the faculty to address this important aspect of student learning.”

Hancock’s nursing programs are fully approved and accredited by the atate of California and allow graduates to pursue careers in hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, NS research study programs.

— Christopher McGuinness for Allan Hancock College.