October 22, 2025

Paying It Forward:  Ben Galin’s journey from Math Major to Mentor 

Ben Galin always loved math, but after high school, he wasn’t sure how to turn that passion into a career. That uncertainty led him to Foothill College, a decision Ben credits with changing the trajectory of his life.  

“I remember feeling like this is the beginning of something … that life was opening up” Ben said. “I didn’t even know where I was going, but it felt exciting. Foothill, to me, felt like opportunity.”  

Scholarship offers more than financial support 

 

Ben received a scholarship at Foothill that allowed him to cover some expenses and focus on learning. When it came time to transfer, another scholarship influenced his decision to select Stanford University and inspired his goal to help future students. 

“Stanford offered me a generous named scholarship. It didn’t pay for everything, but it made a big difference,” Ben said. “Somebody took a chance on me. Somebody I didn’t know decided I should have this opportunity, and my life changed because of it. That act of generosity became a model for what I wanted to do one day.” 

Although he now has a successful career at Google, Ben has not lost sight of where he started. After years of making annual donations to both Stanford and Foothill, he worked with the Foothill-De Anza Foundation to establish a scholarship endowment for students majoring in mathematics.  

“There’s going to be somebody after me,” Ben said. “What will be that thing that changes their trajectory? It’s kind of cool to be a part of it. Even if I never know how it ends up.” 

Building a bridge for community college math students 

 

“My first semester at Stanford was overwhelming,” Ben said. On the advice of his advisor, he dropped a challenging real analysis course, postponing it until the next term. “Same professor, same course, but that timing made all the difference.” 

That experience reshaped his understanding of math. “There was a gap between what I thought math was and what it actually is. It was a tough but important experience. I later found out I wasn’t alone feeling that way,” he said. 

Ben’s struggle sparked his latest initiative — the creation of a tuition-free, inquiry-oriented bridge seminar for community college math students offered through his nonprofit, Arrow15. 

The course, inspired by a similar one at Clackamas Community College in Oregon, helps students transition from computation-based math to the proof-based curriculum and deeper analysis of abstract concepts typical of upper-division university courses. 

“We want students to explore the beauty of math, not as a tool for physics or engineering, but as an object worth studying in and of itself. It’s not about homework, grades or exams. It’s about discovering things together, asking the right questions and developing a feel for advanced concepts,” Ben said. “No pressure, just exploration.”  

Ben hopes the course will help students avoid the difficult transition he experienced. “If you’re going to be a math major, this is the kind of math you’ll be doing. Let’s give you a view now, so you’re ready.” 

For Ben, the journey began at Foothill College. Now, he’s paying it forward through his scholarship and bridge course, giving current and future community college students the support and opportunities they need to achieve their academic and career goals.  

“I’m very lucky,” Ben said. “I had a great counselor to guide me, and the Foothill College faculty and staff were committed to helping me achieve my educational trajectory. I knew the direction I wanted to go, and they were instrumental in giving me the tools to make it a reality.”