Under the leadership of Executive Director Samuel Rowser, On Point for College provides the opportunity to change lives, one life at a time, by enabling students to fulfill their college and career dreams.
The organization is dedicated to developing programs and cultivating relationships to change the lives of traditional and non-traditional, 17- to 29-year-old students by breaking down barriers through access to training, college, and careers for success in life. On Point for College works with students from application to graduation, and beyond, making higher education accessible to youth who have the desire and the will, but who feel college is out of reach due to economic, academic, and other barriers.
On Point for College Utica has been honoring star students and partners since 2012, helping more than 800 first-generation Utica adults have overcome obstacles to their success and gone on to enroll in college. 350 students graduated with the help of On Point for College, an organization dedicated to removing academic and economic barriers for students who have the desire but rarely the means to advance their learning beyond high school. To celebrate these successes, On Point for College is hosting a virtual event on November 12, 2020, at 5:00 PM. The event is free to attend and will be hosted on On Point’s website at onpointforcollege.org/celebration as well as On Point’s Facebook page at facebook.com/onpointforcollege
On Point for College Utica 2020 celebration Honorary Chair Tom Clark commented, “ I am proud to be Honorary Chair of this wonderful organization that does so much for our youth here.”
Awards will be given to the following honorees:
Make a Difference Award:
Professor Erol Balkan: The Hamilton College Leonard C, Ferguson Professor of Economics, has been a partner with On Point for College of research projects involving and benefiting our students, raising funds with Hamilton College student groups and staff for laptops for On Point students as well as finding creative collaborative solutions to help our students and area communities.
Campus Angel Award:
Michelle Sebastian: Michelle is a Community Resource Specialist MVCC College Community Connection (C3) Program where she has inspirationally partnered with On Point for College to effectively help students overcome hurdles and succeed
Foundation of Hope Award:
Martin Babenic and the UpMobility Foundation: Martin Babenic has over the years helped empower On Point for College students. Recently, Martin provided funding for laptops through the UpMobility Foundation to help ensure every On Point Utica Region student had a laptop for college access, success and good jobs
Dream Maker Award:
Elsa Magee: New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Executive Vice President, Elsa Magee was instrumental in making the successful replication of On Point for College to the Utica region possible.
You can become a sponsor of On Point for College, and help future students succeed:
Sponsorship levels
$65 College Admission Sponsor
$100 Internet Access Sponsor
$250 Textbooks Sponsor
$500 Student Laptop Sponsor
For more information call Kevin Marken at 315-454-7293 or make your donation to help sponsor a student’s educational dreams come true online at: onpointforcollege.org/celebration
Sponsors making this event possible include: Title Sponsor Adirondack Bank, Senior Sponsor Mohawk Valley Community College and Printing Sponsor PJ Green.
