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In the early 1900s, college was a distant dream for most American students. As they grew older, opportunities for college study receded even further, but the desire for education never diminished. M. Ellwood Smith, a Syracuse University graduate and member of the University’s faculty, recognized this gap, and set about rectifying it. He recommended that SU establish a self-supporting night school where adults could study part time. In 1918, Smith’s efforts led to the creation of Syracuse University’s School of Extension Teaching and Adult Education,
which later evolved into University College. The intervening 100 years have witnessed many changes in adult education, but Smith’s vision remains at the core of UC’s mission: to provide a first-class education to adults, veterans, active military, and first-generation college students. Career advancement has always been a goal for nontraditional students who study part time through University College. But other motivators include setting an example for children, fulfilling long-held dreams, and experiencing the joy of lifelong learning. Innovations through the years include the development of distance education options, community engagement programs, and the creation of pathways for students with significant educational and economic challenges. More recently, UC has become SU’s leader in the advancement of innovative online curriculum and programming.

“The financial support helped me focus more on becoming the best student I could be, and less on how I was going to pay for my education.”
— Benjamin Vasquez ’18

Benjamin Vasquez is a police officer in Geneva, NY who aspires to go to law school and eventually work for the federal government. He’s been commuting to Syracuse between shifts for the past few years to complete a BPS in Creative Leadership at UC, and will be the 2018 Student Speaker when he graduates in May. Last summer, Ben was chosen from a field of 7,200 applicants to complete a White House internship. This spring, he received the Chancellor’s Award for Public Engagement and Scholarship.

Ben says a UC Achiever Scholarship was instrumental in helping him complete his degree program. “The financial support helped me focus more on becoming the best student I could be and less on how I was going to pay for my education,” he says. “I’m humbled and appreciative for this prestigious scholarship.”

Jeanette Bova, a mother of two who works six days a week as a waitress, concurs. “Financial aid has been instrumental in my returning to school,” she says. “Without it, this would be impossible.” She is working toward a degree in English and Textual Studies, and as a recipient of an Achiever Scholarship, Jeanette must maintain excellent grades. She’s met the challenge with a nearperfect GPA.

Stories like these abound at UC, where almost every student receives some form of financial aid in the course of their undergraduate career. UC is hoping to provide more robust opportunities for part-time students with the Centennial Scholarship, which is being created in recognition of UC’s 100th anniversary. A Gala Fundraiser is planned for October at Schine Student Center, and all funds raised will be used to establish this scholarship. “Providing opportunity is what we do at UC,” says UC Dean Michael Frasciello, “and we hope this will enable us to reach out to even more students who have the drive and the dream, but don’t have the funds to finance a college degree.”

Would you like to create opportunities for deserving students by contributing to the Centennial Scholarship? Contact Jenn Scott at 315-443-3281 or jbscott@syr.edu .

Online education is the wave of the future, and University College is creating digital pathways that will reach every corner of Syracuse University. The establishment of the Center for Online and Digital Learning at UC will develop and launch market driven online and residential graduate and undergraduate programs.

“As we fully align with the University’s Academic Strategic Plan, University College will play a critical role in carrying out the ambitious vision to solidify Syracuse University as a preeminent and inclusive student-focused research university,” said UC Dean Michael Frasciello.