President's Challenge Scholarship

Give a first-generation student the chance to change their life

Please watch the video above, featuring SUNY Ulster President Alison Buckley, Ed.D., and discover the transformative power of the President’s Challenge Scholarship (PCS) at SUNY Ulster.

Founded in 2016 by President Emeritus Alan P. Roberts, PCS provides comprehensive support to first-generation students, starting as early as 8th grade, paving their way to college success. This vital program, later dedicated to President Emeritus Robert T. Brown for his foundational support, empowers students to overcome the significant barriers they face in pursuing higher education.

Thanks to the generosity of donors like Rich and Donna Croce (over $125,000 donated), a landmark $1,000,000 endowment from the late Darlene L. Pfeiffer, and nearly $500,000 from the Johnson Scholarship Foundation and $150,000 from the Ferriday Fund, PCS has already awarded over 400 scholarships from all nine school districts in Ulster County. But the need is still great.

We're now seeking to expand our community of supporters to welcome the next class of 50 deserving students. By investing in PCS, you're not just giving a scholarship; you're providing:

Early intervention: In 9th grade, students receive crucial college coaching and readiness support.
Mentorship and guidance: Students are paired with Club Advisors and College Coaches who provide invaluable support throughout their academic journey.
A pathway to success: PCS empowers students to achieve their college dreams and break the cycle of limited opportunity.

Please review the information below to learn more about the scholarship requirements, the comprehensive student support program, current donors, and sponsorship opportunities.

Join us in empowering the next generation of college graduates. Contact the Ulster Community College Foundation team today to discover how you can make a lasting impact on the lives of first-generation students.

Meet Our President's Challenge Students!

Ellenville Central School District

President Buckley (center) spent time with Ellenville High School students at the Fall Campus Visit.

Highland Central School District

Highland High School students pose for a photo at their last Campus Visit before graduating from high school. Next year, they will be on campus as college students!

Kingston City School District

Kingston students participate in communication activities at the Senate Gymnasium at the Spring Campus Visit Experience.

Marlboro Central School District

Marlboro PCS students join together in a round of Pictionary while waiting for the other school districts to arrive.

New Paltz Central School District

New Paltz students learn about SUNY Ulster's clubs and activities at the Fall Campus Visit.

Onteora Central School District

Onteora students, along with Club Advisor and School Counselor Sam Smith, arrive on campus bright and early for the Fall Campus Visit!

Rondout Valley Central School District

Rondout Valley students having some fun with their chaperone at lunch at the Fall Campus Visit.

Saugerties Central School District

Pat Praetorius, President of the Saugerties Kiwanis Club, spent time with Saugerties High School PCS students over lunch at the Spring Campus Visit.

Wallkill Central School District

Wallkill High School students visit with a TRIO Counselor at the Fall Campus Visit.

Student Eligibility - Requirements to Apply:

First-generation, college-bound students
80% cumulative GPA in eighth grade
75% cumulative GPA in four core classes (English, Math, Science and Social Studies) through mid-April
85% or higher attendance in school
Minimal discipline infractions
Preference is given to students with economic need.

Student Experience - Campus Visits, Coaching and College Readiness Skills

In addition to receiving a two-year tuition-free scholarship to attend SUNY Ulster, recipients are also partnered with a PCS College Coach (comprised of SUNY Ulster's Enrollment and Success Center team). Coaches work closely with students throughout their high school careers to keep them motivated and on the college-bound track.

Students will participate in activities on the SUNY Ulster campus and at their school district to support their college readiness skills. Students will also be able to connect with their sponsors at each on-campus event.

Honoring new PCS Recipients

A SUNY Ulster/Foundation team member presents scholarship awards at each school district's 8th-grade Moving Up Day event. Foundation Board Director Laurel Sweeney (right) is shown with students and former Principal Debra Clinton (left) at the Marlboro Moving Up Day Ceremony.

Coaching Sessions at the High Schools

PCS students are supported by a College Coach from SUNY Ulster and a Club Advisor from their home school district. The Coach and Advisor meet with PCS students several times throughout the school year. Coach Rebecca Mercado (right) is shown during one of her sessions with Ellenville High School students.

Campus Visit Program

Starting in 9th grade, PCS students visit SUNY Ulster twice a year to participate in college readiness programming. Here, Luis from New Paltz speaks with SUNY Ulster Alumnus and College Trustee Victor Cueva, Esq. Victor shared his struggles coming to a new country before attending SUNY Ulster and finding his passion for studying law.

PCS Orientation

Before enrolling at the College, PCS students attend Campus Connect/Orientation over the summer to help them acclimate to their first semester at SUNY Ulster. This photo shows PCS students Lily, Melissa, Laiba, and Samrina after their session.

Support and Engagement for Enrolled Students

PCS college students are invited to PCS Group Connects each semester. They also meet with their faculty advisor and partner advisor from the Center for Academic Planning Support or TRIO counselor (a federally funded, comprehensive support program for first-generation college students). The photo shows PCS students after one of the group sessions.

Commencement

We were excited to celebrate PCS students at SUNY Ulster's Commencement in May and look forward to celebrating more students each year! The photo shows PCS student Michael with SUNY Ulster President Alison Buckley at Commencement on May 24th, 2025. We wish Michael well at his full-time position with Viking Packaging in New Paltz. Michael graduated from SUNY Ulster's Advanced Manufacturing Program.

How You Can Help (Sponsorship Commitments Below):

Thank you for perusing this PCS Opportunity Link! We would be happy to meet with you to discuss your potential sponsorship of a PCS Student. We are pleased to work with banks, businesses, and corporations to profile your participation in this program, and we have a poster that can be printed to share with your community.

We can structure your annual contributions so that due dates correspond with your budget processes and commitment schedules. Below are our sponsorship opportunities.

PCS Awards for 2027 - Take the Challenge and Support a Student Today!

We're excited to celebrate 10 years of supporting first-generation college students on their academic journey through the President's Challenge Scholarship (PCS) Program. If you want to help a student starting in 8th grade, please consider supporting PCS for 2027. Thanks to the sponsors below who have already committed to supporting the next group of students this spring!

1. Jean Lerner

2. Rudy and the late Joyce Hellenschmidt in honor of the Bennett Elementary Staff Past and Present

3. New Paltz Rotary

4. Melinda and JJ Lamarche's Do Some Good Fund

5. Kurta Family Scholarship c/o Dee Jaye Kurta

6. Kiwanis Club of Saugerties

7. 100 Bs Changing the World (New Sponsor!)

8-11. The Ferriday Fund

12-13. Glenn Sutherland and Cynthia A. Lowe (Endowed)

14. Scott and Patty Davis

15. The Hill Family

16 - 17. Hope Hughes and Kathy Kayse

18. John and Debra Markes

19. Ruth Gale Realty/Alfred and Jane Peavy

20. George and Catherine Sifre Family Scholarship

21. Lisa St. John in Memory of Kent St. John

22. Laurel and Tim Sweeney

23. NY Injury Law

24. Carol Super Gold and Rondavid Gold

25. Eli Basch, Esq.

26. Dr. John Ioia and Barbara Ioia

27. Bill and Kathleen Cloonan

28. Richard and Gillian Murphy

PCS Awards for 2026 - Thank You!

Thanks to the donors below and some additional support from our general Foundation scholarships, we have fully funded all scholarships for the 2026 award year! If you want to help first-generation students on their college journey starting in 8th grade, please consider supporting the President's Challenge Scholarship Program for 2027!

1. Jean Lerner (Sponsor of 10 students - one annually!)

2. Rudy and the late Joyce Hellenschmidt in honor of the Bennett Elementary Staff Past and Present (sponsor of seven students - one annually!)

3 - 5. Johnson Scholarship Foundation (sponsor of four students this year - 27 students in total)

6-9. Ferriday Fund (sponsor of twelve students in total)

10-11. New Paltz Rotary (sponsoring two students this year - nine students total)

12 -13. Kiwanis Club of Saugerties (sponsoring two students this year - eleven students total)

14. Kurta Family Scholarship c/o Dee Jaye Kurta (sponsoring one student this year - three students total)

15 - 16. Kathleen Kayse & Hope Hughes (New Sponsor - sponsoring two students)

17-18. Hardie Truesdale (New Sponsor - sponsoring two students)

19. Jackie Martin (New Sponsor)

20. Frank Dunn & Hans Lupold (New Sponsor)

21. County Executive Jen Metzger (sponsoring one student this year - three students total)

22. The Hill Family (sponsoring one student this year - eight students total)

23. Dan and Julie Boice (New Sponsor)

24. John Nissenbaum (New Sponsor)

25-26. David and Deborah Levine in Honor of Onteora History Teacher Matthew Ostoyich

(sponsoring two students this year - four students total)

27. Lisa St. John in Memory of Kent St. John (sponsoring one student this year - three students total)

28. Ruth Gale Realty (sponsoring one student this year - five students total)

29. Rick and Andrea Sifre (New Sponsor)

30. Sawyer Savings Bank (sponsoring one student this year - five students total)

31. Susan and Stephen Hirsch (sponsoring one student this year - six students total)

32. Floyd Lattin (sponsoring one student this year - six students total)

33. Blue Kats Community Group (New Sponsor)

34. Hudson Valley Catskill Region (HVCR) Multiple Listing Service and HVCR Board of Realtors (sponsoring one student this year - four students total)

35. The Keegan Army IMO Tommy Keegan III (sponsoring one student this year - two students total)

36. The Severus Foundation (New Sponsor)

37. Marilyn Barton (New Sponsor)

38. Anonymous (New Sponsor)

39. UCCF Board of Directors Collaboration (New Sponsor)

40. Rondavid and Carol Super Gold (sponsoring one student this year - four students total)

41., 42. The Thomas C. Barron Fund in Honor of Laurel Sweeney (sponsoring two students this year - 10 students total)

43. George and Cathy Sifre (sponsoring one student this year - seven students total)

44. Nik and Nelda Gerner (sponsoring one student this year - four students total)

45. Central Hudson (New Sponsor)

PCS Awards for 2025 - Sold Out! Thanks For Your Support!

Thanks to the donors below and a generous gift from Richard and Gillian Murphy, we have fully funded all scholarships for the 2025 award year! If you want to help first-generation students on their college journey starting in 8th grade, please consider supporting the President's Challenge Scholarship Program for 2026!

1. Jean Lerner (Sponsor of 10 students - one annually!)

2. Rudy and the late Joyce Hellenschmidt (sponsor of seven students - one annually!)

3 - 6. Johnson Scholarship Foundation (sponsor of four students this year - 27 students in total)

7. Elna Magnetics (sponsoring one student this year - five students total)

8. Garfield and Ferraro Families Memorial (sponsoring one student this year - five students total)

9 - 12. Ferriday Fund (sponsor of twelve students in total)

13. New Paltz Rotary (sponsoring one student this year - seven students total)

14 - 15. Kiwanis Club of Saugerties (sponsoring two students this year - nine students total)

16. Drs. Kenneth and Marie-Louise Johnson Scholarship c/o Paul DeLisio (sponsoring one student this year - three students total)

17. Kathleen C. Mihm Scholarship c/o Paul DeLisio (sponsoring one student this year - three students total)

18. Trustee Emeritus John J. Wadlin, Esq. and Vivian Wadlin in Honor of Presidents Emeriti Brown, Katt, and Roberts (New Sponsor)

19. Melinda and Gerard Lamarche's Do Some Good Fund (New Sponsor)

20. Lisa St. John (sponsoring one student this year - two students total)

21. Kingston Rotary Club (sponsoring one student this year - three students total)

22. Kurta Family Scholarship c/o Dee Jaye Kurta (sponsoring one student this year - three students total)

23. David and Deborah Levine (sponsoring one student this year - two students total)

24. George and Catherine Sifre Family Scholarship (sponsoring one student this year - six students total)

25. Susan & Stephen Hirsh (sponsoring one student this year - five students total)

26 - 28. Moss Oak Scholarship (sponsoring three students this year - five students total)

29. Sawyer Savings Bank (sponsoring one student this year - four students total)

30. Steve MacDonald and Priscilla Derven (sponsoring one student this year - four students total)

31. Sarah M. Schmidt Memorial Scholarship (sponsoring one student this year - three students total)

32. Rondavid and Carol Super Gold (sponsoring one student this year - three students total)

33. Elke Zuern & Sumedha Senanayake (sponsoring one student this year - two students total)

34. New Paltz Community Foundation (New Sponsor)

35. Thoben Hill Properties - The Hill Family (sponsoring one student this year - seven students total)

36. Paul DeLisio - (sponsoring three students this year - four students total)

37. The DeGasperis Family - (sponsoring one student this year- three students total)

38. Darlene Bover & Robert Mance (sponsoring one student this year- two students total)

39. Ruth Gale Realty (sponsoring one student this year - four students total)

40. PCS Donors for Student Success (a collaboration of many donors that attended the annual donor reception in June 2025)

41. Highland Rotary Club (sponsoring one student this year - two students total)

42-48. Richard & Gillian Murphy (sponsoring seven students this year - eleven students total)

PCS Awards for 2024 - 50 Scholarships Funded - Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Thanks to the donors below, we have awarded 50 scholarships to 8th-grade students from all nine school districts in Ulster County!

1. Jean Lerner (Sponsor of 10 students in total)

2. Rudy and the late Joyce Hellenschmidt (sponsor of six students!) [Endowing one student yearly!]

3 - 6. Johnson Scholarship Foundation (sponsor of 23 students in total)

7. Elna Magnetics (committed to sponsoring five total)

8. Garfield and Ferraro Families Memorial Scholarship (committed to sponsoring five students total)

9 - 12. Ferriday Fund (sponsor of twelve students in total)

13. Kathleen and Bill Cloonan (sponsor of four students)

14. New Paltz Rotary (sponsor of six students)

15 - 16. Kiwanis Club of Saugerties (sponsor of seven students)

17. County Executive Jen Metzger (sponsor of 2 students)

18. George Devine and the Future of New Paltz (sponsor of 2 students)

19. Dee Jaye Kurta/ Kurta Family Scholarship (sponsor of 2 students)

20. Rob and Audrey Hunter (sponsor of 2 students)

21. Casey and Emily Scanlon (new sponsor)

22. Nik and Nelda Gerner (sponsor of 3 students)

23. RVBA Rondout Valley Business Association (new sponsor)

24. Shawn Beqaj (new sponsor)

25. Stephen and Susan Hirsch (sponsors of 4 Students)

26. David & Deborah Levine (new sponsors)

27. Tony Marmo/Normann Staffing (sponsor of 2 students)

28. Mo Keegan & David Bolles Family in Memory of Danny Barnes (new sponsors)

29. Elliott and Judi Auerbach (new sponsors)

30. Steve MacDonald & Priscilla Derven (Sponsors of 3 students)

31. O'Connor & Partners, PLLC (new sponsor - Olana & Joe O'Connor 5th sponsorship)

32 - 35. Thomas C. Barron (sponsor of 7 students)

36. Linda & JB Gillette (new sponsors)

37. George & Catherine Sifre Family (sponsors of 5 students)

38. Richard & Patricia Brooks - Control Point Associates Inc (new sponsors)

39. Alfred Peavy - Ruth Gale Realty in Memory of Calvin (Cal) Corrigan Smith (sponsor of 3 students)

40. Rondavid Gold and Carol Super Gold (sponsor of two students)

41. Hudson Valley Catskill Region Multiple Listing Service (sponsor of three students)

42. Sarah M. Schmidt Memorial Scholarship (sponsor of 2 students)

43. The McGinty Family Be The Change Fund (sponsor of 2 students)

44. Victoria St. John Gilligan IHO Lorraine Salmon (sponsor of 3 students)

45. Rich and Donna Croce (sponsor of 18 students)

46. Ed Hill enterprises (sponsor of 6 students)

47. Barbara and Joe Cohen IHO Lorraine Salmon (sponsor of 2 students)

48. Hayes Clement (sponsor of 4 students)

49. Sherman & Carol E. Adin Scholarship

50. Braby Blackwell Family Memorial Scholarship

Please Reach Us Here to Become a Donor:

We thank you in advance for your consideration. Please let us know which board director, friend, or PCS donor introduced you to us. We look forward to answering your questions and welcoming you to our foundation community. Together, we will do great things.

You can change a life. Please click on the link below to reach us now!

PCS Sponsor Information Request Form