In the vast realm of higher education scholarship programs, where financial aid often serves as a lifeline for students, the Sillcox Scholars Program at Farmingdale State College (FSC) stands out as innovative and uniquely personal in its reach and impact.
“There’s no other program like it,” said Dylan Gafarian, EdD, director of the Research Aligned Mentorship Program and institutional coordinator for Sillcox and TheDream.US scholarships. “I’ve personally seen students who start out struggling go on to graduate with honors. It works, because of how comprehensive a program it is.”
More than just a scholarship, the Sillcox Scholars Program is a force for success for its recipients. The program is remarkable and profound in its impact, as it strives to remove the significant barriers first generation students face. Services range from personal advisement to financial aid, emergency housing, and legal support to resolve immigration issues.
“A lot of the students have challenging home lives, or need to work to support their families,” said Ken Grotell, Sillcox student advisor and TRIO education counselor. “Now they’re thrown into college. It can be daunting. We work with them and our team to help get them on the right path.”
Established initially at Nassau Community College in 2008, the program has focused on academic merit, character, leadership, and a resolute commitment to educational advancement. Since then, the Sillcox Scholars Program has expanded to include FSC and a number of other State University of New York (SUNY) and City University of New York (CUNY) institutions.
FSC has emerged as a leading partner among Sillcox Scholars schools, with the highest enrollment among four-year degree institutions. Along the way, Mark and Leslie Sillcox have joined FSC’s growing roster of the largest donors in the College’s history.
The numbers don’t lie: More than 115 students in the Sillcox Scholars Program have enrolled at FSC, and it has fueled an impressive 89% graduation rate. Of those, 71% graduate with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, a testament to their dedication and the program’s unwavering support.
“We saw, with every student, how individual and distinct their needs were. So, we worked to find the people and the resources to give them what was required to succeed.” Leslie Sillcox
Even more impressive is the transformative effect the program has had on the lives of its recipients.
“The personal involvement of Mark and Leslie can’t be overstated,” said Bryan Garcia, FSC senior director of support programs. “They know the students. They set the tone of the program. It trickles down to real change.”
“We knew we wanted to make a lasting mark on education,” said Leslie Sillcox. “The program has evolved over the years to rise to the challenges identified along the way. We saw, with every student, how individual and distinct their needs were. So, we worked to find the people and the resources to give them what was required to succeed.”
Therein lies the holistic philosophy that is central to the success of the Sillcox Scholars Program. Through mentoring, financial assistance, and administrative guidance, the program ensures that each scholar receives the support and tools to achieve their academic goals and thrive in their personal lives and career paths.
“Through their generosity and dedication to our shared Long Island community, Mark and Leslie have opened doors of possibility for countless students, empowering them to realize their full potential,” said Matthew Colson, vice president for development and alumni engagement at FSC. “They have created life-changing opportunities for so many students, with outcomes that have established the Sillcox Scholars as a model program for scholarships moving forward, enabling hundreds more students to benefit from their vision. The Sillcox Scholars Program exemplifies the power of philanthropy to create transformative change.”
Ten Sillcox Scholars were awarded degrees in May 2024.
Indeed, the stories of the students in the program serve as compelling evidence of its impact. From coveted positions at companies like Bloomberg and Google to research accolades and acceptance into top medical schools, the achievements of these scholars are as diverse as they are impressive. They have been designated prestigious Newman Civic Fellows and have been appointed Research Scholars at Brown University, Harvard University, University of South Carolina, and University of California San Marcos. Some have received the President’s Gala Award for Student Excellence and the Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence, the State University of New York’s (SUNY) highest honor. Additionally, 10 students have taken part in Farmingdale’s Summer Undergraduate Research Institute. Each success story demonstrates the irreplaceable and impactful support and guidance provided by the Sillcox Scholars Program.
“We take students who are just trying to get their degree and turn them into scholars,” said Gafarian. “When they are given that opportunity to rise to the challenge of achieving something beyond what they set out to do, they will excel.”
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