IFW Receives Second Grant From the Avon Products Foundation
In the spring of 2003, Initiatives For Women was the
recipient of a second grant from the Avon Products Foundation. The
$72,000 grant will be used to support 8 women who will be entering
the University at Albany for study as transfer students from local
community colleges, during the 2003-2004 academic year.
The Avon-IFW Life Impact Scholarship Program
Funded by a grant from the Avon Products Foundation
to the University's Initiatives For Women program, the Life Impact
Scholarship Program supports ten very motivated nontraditional women
in financial need, who received their two-year degrees from local
area community colleges and have now been admitted to the University
at Albany. Nine of the women transfer students entered the University
at Albany in the fall, 2001. Each received a scholarship of $4,000
per year for two years (a total scholarship of $8,000). All recipients
are exceptional women with at least a 3.0 GPA from their two-year
school. Each scholar is partnered with a faculty mentor and IFW
sister. Special mentorship and assistance from an academic advisor
dedicated to helping these students succeed and complete their bachelor's
degree is also provided.
Faculty Mentors & IFW Sisters
Avons-IFW Life Impact Scholars recieve support during
their academic careers from both University faculty and members
of IFW. Scholars have majored in various subjects areas including:
criminal justice, political science, psychology, and sociology and
have been assigned faculty mentors from several schools and departments
like Psychology, Political Science, Sociology and the Schools of
Criminal Justice and Social Welfare.
The IFW sisters are members IFW who have volunteered to work
with the Avon-IFW Life Impact Scholars on an informal basis to
help ensure their success at the University. They come from both
academic departments including the Departments of English and
the School of Education; as well as other campus offices including
University Advancement, Residential Life, the Center for Excellence
in Teaching & Learning, University Relations, Information
Technology Services and the Professional Development Program.
Among the stated goals of IFW since its birth in
1993 is to support the aspirations and economic empowerment of women
through financial awards that underwrite their academic and professional
development. Said Kathleen Walas, president of the Avon Products
Foundation, Inc.: "Avon is especially pleased that the grant
to UAlbany's Life Impact program will empower women by providing
direct scholarship aid for nontraditional women students, as well
as allow the University to identify models that can be replicated
at other institutions to help integrate mature women into four year
colleges upon completion of a two year community college degree."
Nontraditional transfer students often lack the financial resources
to attend college full-time, and prolonged part-time study often
results in their dropping out. The Avon grant affords them the opportunity
to complete their degrees and achieve their full potential.
In addition to scholarship funding, a portion of the grant created
a University support service to target and directly serve the unique
needs of these students, providing advice, mentoring, and general
support.
"Since transfer students comprise nearly
one third of our student population, and nontraditional students
are a growing percentage of that population, it is fitting that
the University at Albany is now focusing greater care and resources
on these students' unique challenges. The Avon grant paves the way
for their success and their future economic empowerment."
-- University at Albany's 16th President Karen
R. Hitchcock.
