President's Challenge Scholarship

Welcome to SUNY Ulster's PCS Community

Ulster Community College Foundation, Inc.

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).

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), a landmark $1,000,000 endowment from Darlene L. Pfeiffer, and nearly $500,000 from the Johnson Scholarship Foundation, PCS has already awarded over 300 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: Starting in 8th 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.

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 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

Ellenville students join together for a group picture at the Spring Campus Visit in March 2024.

Highland Central School District

A Highland PCS student tries out a possible career using virtual reality at the Fall Campus Visit in October 2023.

Kingston City School District

During the Spring Campus Visit in March 2024, Kingston PCS students toured the Advanced Manufacturing Labs at SUNY Ulster.

Marlboro Central School District

Marlboro PCS students join together for a photo op!

New Paltz Central School District

New Paltz students participate in a team-building activity in SUNY Ulster's Senate Gymnasium at the Spring Campus Visit in March 2023.

Onteora Central School District

Onteora PCS students tour the nursing lab at the Spring 2024 campus visit!

Rondout Valley Central School District

Rondout Valley students learned to navigate the Macdonald Dewitt Library during an activity at the Spring Campus Visit in March 2023.

Saugerties Central School District

President Buckley spent some time with our PCS Saugerties High School students at the Fall Campus Visit in October 2023.

Wallkill Central School District

Wallkill High School students and school counselors join us at the Spring Campus Visit in March 2023.

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 Principal Debra Clinton (left) at the Marlboro Moving Up Day Ceremony in June 2024.

PCS Promise

New scholarship recipients take the PCS Promise their first time on campus and sign the Promise Book.

Campus Visit Program

Starting in 9th grade, PCS students visit SUNY Ulster twice yearly to participate in college readiness programming. Here, Luis from New Paltz speaks with SUNY Ulster Alumnus 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

Prior to 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.

Semester Check Ins for Enrolled Students

PCS students check in with the PCS Team twice per semester, either for an individual meeting or group session. Students 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 several PCS students at SUNY Ulster's 60th Commencement, and we look forward to celebrating more students each year! The photo shows PCS student Riley with SUNY Ulster President Alison Buckley at Commencement on May 18th, 2024. We wish Riley well at SUNY Albany to finish his college experience!

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 2025 - We need your support!

Thanks to the donors below, and a generous gift from Richard and Gillian Murphy, we are on our way to supporting the next class of 50 8th-grade students 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 2025!

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)

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

SOLD OUT (Thank you for your support!)

PCS Leadership Society

Click on the link below to see our levels of giving within PCS by donor and by school district and to acknowledge your friends and peers in the community who are supporting our students.

PCS Leadership Society - ALL Donors!

Click here to see our levels of giving within PCS.

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