The Xerox Foundation has pledged $350,000 to the Monroe Community College Foundation for efforts to attract more students into science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines, MCC officials announced Wednesday.
Joseph Cahalan, Xerox corporate vice president for communications and social responsibility and Xerox Foundation president, said the gift is meant to expand educational opportunities and establish new scholarships at MCC. He was joined by Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks and leaders from MCC and the college’s foundation for an event Wednesday to announce the gift.
“This is a first-phase investment in what MCC is doing for STEM education,” Cahalan said. “We consider this a first step in a multi-year commitment. President (Anne) Kress’ vision for MCC is extraordinary and so in sync with the times. It’s an investment and we know we will get a return on it.”
This gift will strengthen MCC’s ability to educate students in the STEM disciplines and advance partnerships with the Rochester City School District, especially the STEM High School at Edison, college officials said. The gift also will fund faculty grants and support new STEM teaching methodologies.
Currently 8 percent of all MCC students are enrolled in STEM programs. STEM disciplines taught at MCC include biotechnology, computer information systems, engineering technologies, engineering science, general sciences and mathematics.
“Many of Rochester’s future engineers, scientists, teachers and health care professionals begin their education at MCC,” Kress said. “Xerox has been incredibly generous and supportive of our students for the past 50 years. Xerox’s continued support makes it possible for our talented, dedicated students to access and benefit from the skills sets they will bring to the new STEM and knowledge-based economy.”
With contributions now exceeding $7 million, Xerox is the largest corporate contributor to MCC, said Diane Shoger, executive director of the MCC Foundation.
(c) 2012 Rochester Business Journal. To obtain permission to reprint this article, call 585-546-8303 or email service@rbj.net.
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