Overview
Rick DeJesus-Rueff, Academic Program Director
The Fannie and Sam Constantino First Generation Scholarship Program provides financial and academic assistance to high school students who exhibit a high degree of motivation and academic potential, and whose parents did not graduate from a post-secondary institution. This scholarship, created as the College celebrated its 50th anniversary, reflects one of the original purposes of St. John Fisher College: to educate students who are the first in their families to attend college, much like the pioneer classes of St. John Fisher College.
Twenty-four scholarships are awarded annually to high school seniors who will enroll at the College. As part of the program, First Generation Scholars must successfully:
- Complete the two-course learning community entitled Leadership Through Self-Development during the fall semester of the freshman year.
- Complete the six service learning seminars offered by the program, beginning with the spring semester of the freshman year. First Generation Scholars earn a 0.5 academic credit hour for each seminar completed; seminars are letter graded.
- Complete a community service preparation workshop during the first semester of enrollment and at least 30 hours of community service during each of the succeeding seven semesters of enrollment at the College.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress toward the completion of degree requirements.
Community service hours are recorded via the app Mobile Serve and submitted at the end of each service activity to the coordinator of Community Service and Scholars Program. Service may be completed through the various service opportunities announced to First Generation Scholars each semester and through other opportunities that scholars may identify, including service to a not-for-profit organization such as a church, school, or community organization. Specific information about completion of community service hours is provided by the coordinator of Community Service and Scholars Program each semester.