Josue De Paz, Founder and CEO of First Tech Fund, Honored with Inaugural Outstanding Young Alumni Award from Santa Clara University
New York, NY., February 19, 2025 – Josue De Paz, the visionary founder and CEO of First Tech Fund, a New York City-based nonprofit dedicated to catalyzing the economic mobility of low-income NYC students, has been awarded Santa Clara University's inaugural Outstanding Young Alumni Award. This prestigious honor recognizes De Paz’s exceptional contributions to advancing equity in education and his unwavering commitment to creating opportunities for future generations.
As a proud 2015 graduate of Santa Clara University, De Paz expressed deep gratitude for being part of an academic community that champions innovation and social impact. "I am humbled to receive this award and to be included in such an incredible legacy of changemakers across the thousands of alumni of the University," De Paz shared. "Santa Clara University instilled in me the values of compassion, leadership, and resilience, which continue to guide my life and my work at First Tech Fund." De Paz’s commitment to service began at Loyola High School in Los Angeles and continued across the Bay Area while at SCU, spending two of his spring breaks doing community service in the Tenderloin area of San Francisco, through the Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education.
"We are thrilled to honor Josue as the inaugural recipient of Santa Clara University’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award – his courage, leadership, and dedication to serving others exemplify what it means to be a Bronco,” said Kathy Kale, Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations. “His words and actions truly forge a more just, humane, and sustainable world. I look forward to celebrating his accomplishments at the 2025 President’s Dinner and for many years to come."
Founded under De Paz’s leadership, First Tech Fund has empowered high school students from underserved communities, equipping them with the technological skills and mentorship needed to succeed in today’s competitive world. Since its inception, the organization has served hundreds of students, providing access to laptops, college access support, Wi-Fi, professional development, paid internships and a supportive network of key mentors who are industry leaders. Students have won full scholarships, enrolled in their dream schools, and have been able to break into new industries, thanks to FTF’s ecosystem of support.
"Since the moment I met Josue at Santa Clara in 2012, I’ve watched him live out his mission of service with relentless dedication. He has always gone above and beyond—whether it was helping with cleanup efforts after Hurricane Katrina, jumping in to support relief during the LA fires, or now, creating pathways for students through First Tech Fund, he’s always ready to put himself in service of others, said First Tech Fund’s co-founder and De Paz’s spouse, Hana Seligman. “Seeing what he’s built fills me with immense pride—he’s not just opening doors for students, he’s breaking down barriers entirely. His leadership, vision, and heart for this work continues to inspire me every day."
De Paz has dedicated this milestone achievement to the collective efforts of the First Tech Fund family. "This honor belongs to all of us—our mentors, boards, volunteers, donors, sponsors, and, most importantly, our students. Your dedication and belief in our mission make our impact possible. Together, we are shaping a future where everyone has a chance to thrive, regardless of their background or what zip code they were born in."
On the 10th anniversary of his graduation from Santa Clara, De Paz is using this prestigious honor to expand his vision to empower students nationwide to realize their full potential, directly inspired by all the ways he was educated and mentored to do so by his alma mater when he was a student as well.
For more information, please visit First Tech Fund’s website at www.firsttechfund.com.
ABOUT FIRST TECH FUND
First Tech Fund is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to empowering low income students in identifying, navigating, and attaining academic and professional opportunities. First Tech Fund provides a supportive, adaptive ecosystem where students get access to free tech, free broadband, skills training, social capital, mentorship, and more. Follow First Tech Fund on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
ABOUT THE SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
The Santa Clara University Alumni Association was established on April 27, 1881. Remaining faithful to the values that inspired its founding, the Association continues to build and strengthen the relationship between the University and its alumni. Our mission is to keep all Santa Clara alumni passionate about their experience and proud of their education by nurturing personal connections with the University and each other. With over 112,000 alumni living in all 50 states and more than 100 countries, Santa Clara graduates represent a vibrant network of achievers, ambassadors, and advocates.
Vinnie Longo, Director, Marketing & Communications | vlongo@scu.edu | 408-554-7865
February 19, 2025