We Are Capital Region Sponsor-A-Scholar

We connect promising students with the mentors, resources and opportunities that prepare them for college success.
We have inspired and empowered more than 200 Scholars in Albany, Schenectady and Troy to earn their college degrees. 
We believe all students should have access to the networks of support they need to earn a degree and pursue their dreams.

Latest News
Mentor Moment: Eric and Yusif
Marcy Stengel
Marcy Stengel
Mentor Moment: Eric and Yusif
Marcy Stengel
Marcy Stengel

Read how Eric, a mentor, made a life-changing difference for his Scholar, Yusif.

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Marcy Stengel
Marcy Stengel
Staff News, college access, community Marcy Stengel
Staff News, college access, community Marcy Stengel
Say Hello to Ben!
Staff News, college access, community Marcy Stengel
Staff News, college access, community Marcy Stengel

Meet the newest member of our staff, Ben Sweet, College Success Manager. He just joined us this month!

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Staff News, college access, community Marcy Stengel
Staff News, college access, community Marcy Stengel
Grant News
grants, giving Marcy Stengel
grants, giving Marcy Stengel
Grant News
grants, giving Marcy Stengel
grants, giving Marcy Stengel

The latest grants for a new alumni initiative, graphing calculators and critical college preparatory support.

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grants, giving Marcy Stengel
grants, giving Marcy Stengel
MentorIRL, Mentoring, Schenectady, Albany, volunteers, giving, outings, activities Marcy Stengel
MentorIRL, Mentoring, Schenectady, Albany, volunteers, giving, outings, activities Marcy Stengel
Late Summer Mentor-Mentee Activities
MentorIRL, Mentoring, Schenectady, Albany, volunteers, giving, outings, activities Marcy Stengel
MentorIRL, Mentoring, Schenectady, Albany, volunteers, giving, outings, activities Marcy Stengel

It's late summer and there's so much to do! Here are some fun activities you might enjoy with your mentee!

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MentorIRL, Mentoring, Schenectady, Albany, volunteers, giving, outings, activities Marcy Stengel
MentorIRL, Mentoring, Schenectady, Albany, volunteers, giving, outings, activities Marcy Stengel
Thank you, Liz!
Staff News Marcy Stengel
Staff News Marcy Stengel
Thank you, Liz!
Staff News Marcy Stengel
Staff News Marcy Stengel

We're sad to share that our Program Manager, Liz Venatta, is leaving. See where she's heading.

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Staff News Marcy Stengel
Staff News Marcy Stengel
community, giving, College success, college access, pathways to college Marcy Stengel
community, giving, College success, college access, pathways to college Marcy Stengel
What is a Sponsor?
community, giving, College success, college access, pathways to college Marcy Stengel
community, giving, College success, college access, pathways to college Marcy Stengel

Sponsors are at the heart of our program. They provide key funds that help our Scholars thrive in college.

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community, giving, College success, college access, pathways to college Marcy Stengel
community, giving, College success, college access, pathways to college Marcy Stengel
Scholarship Surprise!
Scholarships, Scholars, Schenectady, giving, Troy, Albany Marcy Stengel
Scholarships, Scholars, Schenectady, giving, Troy, Albany Marcy Stengel
Scholarship Surprise!
Scholarships, Scholars, Schenectady, giving, Troy, Albany Marcy Stengel
Scholarships, Scholars, Schenectady, giving, Troy, Albany Marcy Stengel

Three of our Scholars recently received surprise scholarships from the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region

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Scholarships, Scholars, Schenectady, giving, Troy, Albany Marcy Stengel
Scholarships, Scholars, Schenectady, giving, Troy, Albany Marcy Stengel
Mentor and Scholar Activities for Early Summer
Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Mentors, Scholars, MentorIRL Marcy Stengel
Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Mentors, Scholars, MentorIRL Marcy Stengel
Mentor and Scholar Activities for Early Summer
Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Mentors, Scholars, MentorIRL Marcy Stengel
Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Mentors, Scholars, MentorIRL Marcy Stengel

Looking for some fun summer activities to do with your Scholar? Look no further!

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Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Mentors, Scholars, MentorIRL Marcy Stengel
Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Mentors, Scholars, MentorIRL Marcy Stengel
community partners, community, graduation2017, college access, College success Marcy Stengel
community partners, community, graduation2017, college access, College success Marcy Stengel
Forty-four Thousand Thanks!
community partners, community, graduation2017, college access, College success Marcy Stengel
community partners, community, graduation2017, college access, College success Marcy Stengel

A recap of our 2017 Scholar Celebration & 20th Anniversary Gala.

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community partners, community, graduation2017, college access, College success Marcy Stengel
community partners, community, graduation2017, college access, College success Marcy Stengel
Meet the Graduates!
ScholarCelebration, College success, pathways to college, Scholars, Mentors Marcy Stengel
ScholarCelebration, College success, pathways to college, Scholars, Mentors Marcy Stengel
Meet the Graduates!
ScholarCelebration, College success, pathways to college, Scholars, Mentors Marcy Stengel
ScholarCelebration, College success, pathways to college, Scholars, Mentors Marcy Stengel

Learn more about our 29 college-bound Scholars, the recipient of the 2017 Founders' Award and our phenomenal keynote speaker, Juju Chang.

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ScholarCelebration, College success, pathways to college, Scholars, Mentors Marcy Stengel
ScholarCelebration, College success, pathways to college, Scholars, Mentors Marcy Stengel
100% of our Scholars were accepted into college!
college access, pathways to college, Albany, Schenectady, Troy Marcy Stengel
college access, pathways to college, Albany, Schenectady, Troy Marcy Stengel
100% of our Scholars were accepted into college!
college access, pathways to college, Albany, Schenectady, Troy Marcy Stengel
college access, pathways to college, Albany, Schenectady, Troy Marcy Stengel

Learn where our Scholars are heading this fall!

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college access, pathways to college, Albany, Schenectady, Troy Marcy Stengel
college access, pathways to college, Albany, Schenectady, Troy Marcy Stengel
Send a Message of Support
Marcy Stengel
Marcy Stengel
Send a Message of Support
Marcy Stengel
Marcy Stengel

Can't attend our June 7th event? You can still send a message of support by placing an ad in our event slideshow. 

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Marcy Stengel
Marcy Stengel
Build Your Network: Advice from Merit's staff and interns
career exploration, community partners, merit Marcy Stengel Comment
career exploration, community partners, merit Marcy Stengel Comment
Build Your Network: Advice from Merit's staff and interns
career exploration, community partners, merit Marcy Stengel Comment
career exploration, community partners, merit Marcy Stengel Comment

Our Scholars visited a local tech start-up earlier this week. They asked some great questions of the folks who work there. 

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career exploration, community partners, merit Marcy Stengel Comment
career exploration, community partners, merit Marcy Stengel Comment
Skills for Success: Career Awareness at Bank of America
pathways to college, community partners, community, College success, Scholars, Schenectady, Troy, Albany Marcy Stengel
pathways to college, community partners, community, College success, Scholars, Schenectady, Troy, Albany Marcy Stengel
Skills for Success: Career Awareness at Bank of America
pathways to college, community partners, community, College success, Scholars, Schenectady, Troy, Albany Marcy Stengel
pathways to college, community partners, community, College success, Scholars, Schenectady, Troy, Albany Marcy Stengel

We visited the Albany offices of Bank of America for a great career exploration day earlier this month.

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pathways to college, community partners, community, College success, Scholars, Schenectady, Troy, Albany Marcy Stengel
pathways to college, community partners, community, College success, Scholars, Schenectady, Troy, Albany Marcy Stengel
Mentor & Mentee Activities for Spring
MentorIRL, Mentoring, Troy, Albany, Schenectady Marcy Stengel
MentorIRL, Mentoring, Troy, Albany, Schenectady Marcy Stengel
Mentor & Mentee Activities for Spring
MentorIRL, Mentoring, Troy, Albany, Schenectady Marcy Stengel
MentorIRL, Mentoring, Troy, Albany, Schenectady Marcy Stengel

Check out these fun and (mostly) free activities in the coming weeks!

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MentorIRL, Mentoring, Troy, Albany, Schenectady Marcy Stengel
MentorIRL, Mentoring, Troy, Albany, Schenectady Marcy Stengel
Go Sabrina!
Tro, pathways to college, Scholars Marcy Stengel Comment
Tro, pathways to college, Scholars Marcy Stengel Comment
Go Sabrina!
Tro, pathways to college, Scholars Marcy Stengel Comment
Tro, pathways to college, Scholars Marcy Stengel Comment

Troy Scholar Sabrina Wolfe was recently named to Rensselaer Honda and WNYT's all star team!

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Tro, pathways to college, Scholars Marcy Stengel Comment
Tro, pathways to college, Scholars Marcy Stengel Comment
Standing up for Students
Marcy Stengel
Marcy Stengel
Standing up for Students
Marcy Stengel
Marcy Stengel

Sponsor-A-Scholar joined with organizations, colleges and universities to stand up for the programs that support our Scholars.

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Marcy Stengel
Marcy Stengel
Great Grant News
Marcy Stengel
Marcy Stengel
Great Grant News
Marcy Stengel
Marcy Stengel

Learn about the many generous businesses and foundations investing in our promising Scholars.

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Marcy Stengel
Marcy Stengel
Letter to the Editor
Marcy Stengel
Marcy Stengel
Letter to the Editor
Marcy Stengel
Marcy Stengel

Our Executive Director calls attention to a change to the FAFSA that can hurt students.

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Marcy Stengel
Marcy Stengel
Marcy Stengel
Marcy Stengel
Deep Breaths and Big Thanks
Marcy Stengel
Marcy Stengel

Our Scholars returned to Albany Medical Center and learned first-hand how lungs work from a respiratory therapist.

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Marcy Stengel
Marcy Stengel
20 for 20
20 for 20: John Eberle of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region
#20for20, community, giving, payitforward, partners Marcy Stengel
#20for20, community, giving, payitforward, partners Marcy Stengel
20 for 20: John Eberle of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region
#20for20, community, giving, payitforward, partners Marcy Stengel
#20for20, community, giving, payitforward, partners Marcy Stengel

Learn how our partnership with the Community Foundation launched Sponsor-A-Scholar, and how their continued investment makes us stronger every day.

#20for20, community, giving, payitforward, partners Marcy Stengel
#20for20, community, giving, payitforward, partners Marcy Stengel
20 for 20: Elijah Foulks
Albany, alumni, #Scholar2Scholar, #20for20 Marcy Stengel
Albany, alumni, #Scholar2Scholar, #20for20 Marcy Stengel
20 for 20: Elijah Foulks
Albany, alumni, #Scholar2Scholar, #20for20 Marcy Stengel
Albany, alumni, #Scholar2Scholar, #20for20 Marcy Stengel

Say hi to Elijah, he's an alumnus of Albany High School and SUNY Potsdam. He's an adjunct professor at Maria College, and is also an artist on the side. Read about his journey, and how Sponsor-A-Scholar has transformed his family and his future.

Albany, alumni, #Scholar2Scholar, #20for20 Marcy Stengel
Albany, alumni, #Scholar2Scholar, #20for20 Marcy Stengel
20 for 20: Ellerina Lopez
Marcy Stengel
Marcy Stengel
20 for 20: Ellerina Lopez
Marcy Stengel
Marcy Stengel

Say hello to Ellerina, a member of our very first class of Scholars from Albany High. Since graduating from high school in 2001, she's earned three degrees, and is also the mom of three great kids. 

Marcy Stengel
Marcy Stengel
20 for 20: Sheila Dixon
Schenectady, community, Collegesuccess, collegeaccess, firstgen, Scholarathlete, #20for20, successstories Marcy Stengel
Schenectady, community, Collegesuccess, collegeaccess, firstgen, Scholarathlete, #20for20, successstories Marcy Stengel
20 for 20: Sheila Dixon
Schenectady, community, Collegesuccess, collegeaccess, firstgen, Scholarathlete, #20for20, successstories Marcy Stengel
Schenectady, community, Collegesuccess, collegeaccess, firstgen, Scholarathlete, #20for20, successstories Marcy Stengel

Real talk from Sponsor-A-Scholar alumna and international (!) basketball star Sheila Dixon. She shares the challenges of balancing sports and schoolwork, and gives advice to up-and-coming students.

Schenectady, community, Collegesuccess, collegeaccess, firstgen, Scholarathlete, #20for20, successstories Marcy Stengel
Schenectady, community, Collegesuccess, collegeaccess, firstgen, Scholarathlete, #20for20, successstories Marcy Stengel
20 for 20: Amy Vetger
mentor2mentor, mentoring, Schenectady, #20for20, community, Collegesuccess, collegeaccess, firstgen Marcy Stengel Comment
mentor2mentor, mentoring, Schenectady, #20for20, community, Collegesuccess, collegeaccess, firstgen Marcy Stengel Comment
20 for 20: Amy Vetger
mentor2mentor, mentoring, Schenectady, #20for20, community, Collegesuccess, collegeaccess, firstgen Marcy Stengel Comment
mentor2mentor, mentoring, Schenectady, #20for20, community, Collegesuccess, collegeaccess, firstgen Marcy Stengel Comment

Meet Amy, a mentor who got her start with us back in 2006. She has some great tips for new mentors. She says: "In today’s world, young people need many different adults in their corner to guide them through the maze of college applications and career options."

 

mentor2mentor, mentoring, Schenectady, #20for20, community, Collegesuccess, collegeaccess, firstgen Marcy Stengel Comment
mentor2mentor, mentoring, Schenectady, #20for20, community, Collegesuccess, collegeaccess, firstgen Marcy Stengel Comment
20 for 20: Travon Jackson and Justin Myers
mentor2mentor, mentoring, collegeaccess, Collegesuccess, advice, #20for20, Troy Marcy Stengel
mentor2mentor, mentoring, collegeaccess, Collegesuccess, advice, #20for20, Troy Marcy Stengel
20 for 20: Travon Jackson and Justin Myers
mentor2mentor, mentoring, collegeaccess, Collegesuccess, advice, #20for20, Troy Marcy Stengel
mentor2mentor, mentoring, collegeaccess, Collegesuccess, advice, #20for20, Troy Marcy Stengel

Read how Justin and Travon evolved from being mentor and mentee to lasting friends. See why Travon says "Justin has always been there when I needed him."

mentor2mentor, mentoring, collegeaccess, Collegesuccess, advice, #20for20, Troy Marcy Stengel
mentor2mentor, mentoring, collegeaccess, Collegesuccess, advice, #20for20, Troy Marcy Stengel
20 for 20: Linda Pelosi Dunn
advice, Albany, mentoring, mentor2mentor, #20for20 Marcy Stengel
advice, Albany, mentoring, mentor2mentor, #20for20 Marcy Stengel
20 for 20: Linda Pelosi Dunn
advice, Albany, mentoring, mentor2mentor, #20for20 Marcy Stengel
advice, Albany, mentoring, mentor2mentor, #20for20 Marcy Stengel

Meet Linda, a mentor who says: "I like mentoring because it makes me step outside of myself." Read how both Linda, and her husband, Ron mentored students in Albany.

advice, Albany, mentoring, mentor2mentor, #20for20 Marcy Stengel
advice, Albany, mentoring, mentor2mentor, #20for20 Marcy Stengel
#Scholar2Scholar, #20for20, Schenectady, mentoring Marcy Stengel Comment
#Scholar2Scholar, #20for20, Schenectady, mentoring Marcy Stengel Comment
20 for 20: Christina Lachman
#Scholar2Scholar, #20for20, Schenectady, mentoring Marcy Stengel Comment
#Scholar2Scholar, #20for20, Schenectady, mentoring Marcy Stengel Comment

Great insights from Christina, a first generation college student who is finishing her first year at Ithaca College. She says: "Sponsor-A-Scholar is a second family that I can depend on."

#Scholar2Scholar, #20for20, Schenectady, mentoring Marcy Stengel Comment
#Scholar2Scholar, #20for20, Schenectady, mentoring Marcy Stengel Comment
20 for 20: Amanda Hull
mentor2mentor, mentoring, Schenectady, #20for20 Marcy Stengel
mentor2mentor, mentoring, Schenectady, #20for20 Marcy Stengel
20 for 20: Amanda Hull
mentor2mentor, mentoring, Schenectady, #20for20 Marcy Stengel
mentor2mentor, mentoring, Schenectady, #20for20 Marcy Stengel

Meet Amanda, mentor of Jenesha, a senior at Schenectady High School. Learn why she became a mentor, and why she says to her mentee: "I got your back."

mentor2mentor, mentoring, Schenectady, #20for20 Marcy Stengel
mentor2mentor, mentoring, Schenectady, #20for20 Marcy Stengel
20 for 20: Onnolee Smith
#20for20, mentoring, mentor2mentor, volunteer Marcy Stengel Comment
#20for20, mentoring, mentor2mentor, volunteer Marcy Stengel Comment
20 for 20: Onnolee Smith
#20for20, mentoring, mentor2mentor, volunteer Marcy Stengel Comment
#20for20, mentoring, mentor2mentor, volunteer Marcy Stengel Comment

See why our Albany Mentor Coordinator, Onnolee Smith, says: "Mentoring is absolutely worth it."

#20for20, mentoring, mentor2mentor, volunteer Marcy Stengel Comment
#20for20, mentoring, mentor2mentor, volunteer Marcy Stengel Comment

Scholars

We work with students from Albany, Schenectady and Troy, NY. Most of our Scholars are the first in their families to go to college. Read their stories.

Mentors

Mentors work with students to help them gain the skills and confidence to graduate from college. Hear from Ryan, a mentor of a Troy High School student.

Donors

Donors provide funding for the college readiness programming and student sponsorships that transform the lives of our Scholars. You can make a gift today.