Employee generosity drives scholarship growth

As executive director of the ACC Foundation, Stephanie Diina-Dempsey is accustomed to seeing dollar amounts in the thousands. But she was floored by the recent generosity of Austin Community College faculty and staff in raising $16,329 that the Foundation will use for College Connection scholarships.

“It was more than successful. It was amazing,” she says of the 172 percent increase over last year’s total.

ACC President/CEO Stephen Kinslow, Ph.D., pledged $10,000 to the Foundation, with $2,500 going to the presidential scholarship. The remaining $7,500 was used as a challenge for employees to match, and the Foundation, in turn, matched that total. Monies raised increases the potential of additional scholarships for the next academic year.

Alex Brown - ACC Foundation Board Chair Alex Brown

This campaign success follows a record year for the Foundation, which awarded 204 scholarships in 2007-08, totaling $244,000. Scholarships are typically given in the amount of $2,500, which covers one year of tuition, fees, and books for an in-district student.

The Foundation continues to establish new scholarships each year, thanks to its volunteer Board of Directors comprised of local business leaders.

“With the Foundation’s focus being on increasing the number of scholarships for ACC students, Dr. Kinslow’s pledge was outstanding,” says Alex Brown, Foundation chair. “When combined with the overwhelming support from faculty and staff, this will become one of our largest scholarship programs.”

The Foundation continues to welcome contributions and is matching employee donations to College Connection Scholarship 1-to-1 through April 30. Click here to visit the Foundation website.

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