Monthly Newsletter
August 2025
MAKE A WILL, MAKE A DIFFERENCE
This August, during National Make-A-Will Month, you can create your own will under 20 minutes–for free–with FreeWill. It's a simple way to protect what matters most and support Monroe Community College students for years to come.
Your planned gift can fund scholarships, support academic programs, or strengthen MCC's future. And when you share your intentions, you'll join the Alice Holloway Young Society, honoring Founding Trustee and Board Chair Emerita Dr. Alice Holloway Young.
Thanks to a generous challenge from Rodney Young, son of Dr. Alice Holloway Young, every documented planned gift to the MCC Foundation unlocks an immediate $5,000 donation–up to $100,000 total–to help students today.
Already included MCC in your will? Complete this quick form and unlock $5,000 for MCC students–your legacy starts now.
SAVE THE DATE AND REGISTER NOW FOR MCC'S 19TH ANNUAL 5K WALK/RUN FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!
Join us on Saturday, September 27, and help raise scholarship support for Monroe Community College students. Hosted by the Monroe Community College Foundation, this family-friendly walk/run is open to the College community and general public. The 5K will be held at MCC's Brighton Campus.
Help us reach our $20,000 goal by registering to participate or by making a donation to support MCC students. We hope you will join us and make 2025 a success by helping students take that all-important first step: enrolling at MCC and moving closer to crossing the finish line to graduation!
Register, form a team, or make a gift to the 5K today. Questions? Call 585.685.6020. Thank you for your support!
COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO BE HONORED AT THE SALUTE TO EXCELLENCE
On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, the Monroe Community College Foundation will host the 34th Annual Salute to Excellence at the Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center. The Salute to Excellence is a special celebration of community leadership and philanthropy in support of Monroe Community College. We will gather with Honorary Chair Faheem A. Masood, president and CEO, ESL Federal Credit Union, as we present this year's Salute to Excellence Award to Lauren Dixon and Michael Schwabl (pictured left) in recognition of their remarkable commitment to MCC.
At Dixon Schwabl + Company, Lauren serves as board chair and Mike serves as vice chair of the board. Lauren, an MCC Foundation director, and her husband Mike, are known throughout the Rochester community for their philanthropic generosity. Lauren and Mike have chosen to support MCC for more than 15 years through the establishment of the Lauren Dixon Marketing and Business Endowed Scholarship, support of the STAR Power Giving Initiative and the Gold Star Gala, plus so much more!
At the event, we will present the Salute to Volunteerism award to Scott M. Kogler, president, Davie Kaplan, CPA, P.C. and induct four alumni into the MCC Alumni Hall of Fame. This year's outstanding inductees are:
- Emad Kadhim '13, owner and president, Roc Industrial LLC
- Ebony T. Miller '98, MBA, director, Center for Urban Entrepreneurship, Rochester Institute of Technology
- Kevin S. Salva '84, president, Zweigle's Inc.
- Stephanie E. Von Bacho '88, Ed.D., MSed, MS, RN, NEA-BC, senior director, Learning and Development, University of Rochester/University of Rochester Medical Center/ UR Medicine and Assistant Professor, University of Rochester School of Nursing
Visit our website to make your reservation or to learn more about the Salute to Excellence. Opportunities for underwriting support are available. Please contact Karen Shaw (kshaw@monroecc.edu), assistant director of development at the Monroe Community College Foundation, at 585.685.6020.
LAST CHANCE TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
When you support the Annual Fund for Monroe Community College, you help students discover their unlimited potential, which lights the way to bold futures, meaningful careers, and lasting impact.
If you haven't yet had a chance, this is your moment. There's still time to make a gift to the Annual Fund and be recognized in our 2024-2025 Honor Roll of Donors. But don't wait - the deadline is August 31.
Your gift helps students like Camilio Ocasio '25 (pictured above), an Electrical Engineering Technology major who came to MCC determined to rewrite his story. After working a series of dead-end jobs, Camilio realized that gaining meaningful employment required more than just ambition; it demanded real-world skills and a clear path forward. At MCC, he's transforming his passion for engineering and problem-solving into a powerful, marketable career. Thanks to scholarship support, Camilio is building a future filled with purpose, possibility, and pride.
Gifts to the Annual Fund help to make dreams possible. Make a gift online today to help students, like Camilio, reach their unlimited potential. Thank you for your generosity.
NYS CHARITABLE TAX CREDIT PROGRAM NOW OPEN
Support Monroe Community College students and reduce your New York State tax bill - dollar for dollar.
Through the NYS Charitable Tax Credit Program, donors can receive a tax credit (not just a deduction) for contributions made to MCC. Unlike a deduction, which lowers your taxable income, a tax credit directly reduces the amount of tax you owe - making this one of the most powerful giving incentives available. Donors are able to direct contributions made via this program to area of greatest need, program support, student emergency assistance funding, and/or event sponsorships.
Thanks to the generosity of last year's participants, the MCC Foundation raised $530,000 to support MCC students!
The 2025 program is now open!
Apply for the NYS Charitable Tax Credit Program online by September 30 to take advantage of this limited opportunity.
To learn more about the details of the program, contact Emily Cohen (ecohen15@monroecc.edu) or 585.685.6317.