For Immediate Release
November 1, 2023

Education Without Limits Campaign Supports Students in Need

Suffolk County Community College donors, students, alumni, faculty, staff and elected officials – nearly 200 in all – helped kick off the college foundation’s Education Without Limits campaign.

Suffolk County Community College donors, students, alumni, faculty, staff and elected officials – nearly 200 in all – helped kick off the college foundation’s Education Without Limits campaign that will support students by raising critical financial support for those who need a helping hand to cover higher education related costs and help them achieve their academic and career goals.

The luncheon was hosted by the all-volunteer Board of Directors of the Suffolk Community College Foundation, whose mission is to support student access to quality education and vocational skill training by providing scholarships, emergency loans and funding for program development. Additionally, the Foundation engages alumni to maintain their connection to the college, to support foundation events, philanthropy, and student mentorship and internship opportunities.

“We are excited to host this kick-off luncheon to raise awareness and raise scholarship money to support our students,” said Suffolk County Community College President Dr. Edward Bonahue, who outlined the program goals.

“Our campaign priority areas,” Bonahue explained, are

• Scholarships: we want to increase the number of scholarship opportunities
• Hardship funds: to support students faced with a sudden emergency or unforeseen circumstance that results in an immediate financial need.
• Naming opportunities: that allow donors to recognize people and/or organizations with meaningful ties to the College and
• Academic Program Enhancements: to provide students with enriched experiences customized to reflect the interests of the donor.

Bonahue explained that Suffolk County Community College has consistently had the lowest tuition of any college or university on Long Island, but noted that 70% of the matriculated students are eligible to receive some form of financial assistance. 

“Even with generous financial aid, our full-time students tend to have unmet funding needs of more than $1,800 per year,” Bonahue said. “The fact that a majority of our students struggle to pay for the full cost of a community college education motivates us to focus on these priorities.”

“Every student deserves the opportunity to pursue a college education,” Bonahue said, “regardless of their financial background. We are grateful for the support of all of you, our donors, industry supporters and policy makers who make the many scholarships we offer, possible. Your generosity helps our students succeed and achieve their educational and career goals,” he said. “Please be a messenger and an advocate as we share our campaign priorities, and tell everyone you know that educational success starts at Suffolk.”

“Removing the limitations students face when considering a college education is our goal”, explained Dr. Sylvia A. Diaz, LMSW, executive director of the Suffolk Community College Foundation.  “The biggest limitation is a student’s ability to afford college and we’re doing everything we can to maintain Suffolk’s low costs and provide support to those who need assistance along their individual pathways to success.”

“We are incredibly grateful to the sponsors and donors to the event including National Grid, Amazon and Giuseppe A. Nigro Lodge #2234 of the Sons & Daughters of Italy America,” said Diaz. “Every dollar we raise is shared with students to make the college experience more affordable, preparing students to enter their chosen career fields with little or no debt.”