First Source and MVCC Partner

First Source, MVCC partner to enhance nursing and allied health education in Mohawk Valley

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Mohawk Valley Community College’s Challenge and Opportunity major gifts campaign gained additional momentum today as the college and First Source Federal Credit Union dedicated the First Source Nursing and Allied Health Computer Lab in the Utica campus Academic Building. The lab has been renamed in honor of a $25,000, five-year pledge from First Source to the MVCC Foundation, Inc.

The donation will be used to support additional programs and services for MVCC’s nursing and allied health students, such as investment in the dedicated computer lab and related technological resources. This will enable MVCC to expand its role as an educator of health professionals in the region.

“This investment by our valued partners at First Source Federal Credit Union will enable us to better meet students’ needs—and to better prepare students to meet the needs of employers in our region,” says MVCC President Randall J. VanWagoner. “First Source has been a supporter of the college for a long time, and we appreciate that First Source’s leaders recognize the importance of investing in education for this critical sector of our economy.”

The campaign’s $7 million goal targets investments in four priority areas: Creating Student Opportunity: With a focus on endowed scholarships, this is the campaign’s largest priority and accounts for about half the $7 million campaign goal. MVCC seeks to expand the number of funded Presidential Scholarships by more than 20 per year; support approximately 50 more students who just miss eligibility for financial aid; and endow several special scholarship funds.

Breaking Barriers: MVCC will seek to create a Fresh Start Fund for people returning to college after getting their lives back on track; endow an Emergency Relief Fund to support 20 to 25 students annually who might otherwise leave college because of homelessness or hunger; and provide free access to career camps for low-income primary school students, exposing them to the possibilities of college and career early enough to make a difference.

Revitalizing Our Economy: MVCC will seek to expand its services and programs for entrepreneurship; and create an education center in the Cornhill neighborhood of Utica.

Educational Excellence Fund: With donations in this area MVCC will launch several new degree and certificate programs in high-demand health care fields; invest in new teaching technology; and further improve the MVCC Cultural Series.