Suzanne McGraw Foundation Trustees Meet Inaugural Cohort of Scholars
Inaugural cohort of the Suzanne McGraw Scholars program pose with trustees of the Suzanne McGraw Foundation and program faculty and staff at the Westchester Campus.
Mercy University welcomed Suzanne McGraw Foundation Trustees Eileen Gabriele and Glenn Goldberg to its Westchester Campus on October 5 for a visit with the inaugural cohort of Suzanne McGraw Scholars and the faculty and staff supporting the transformative program.
The trustees engaged directly with the 25 pioneering scholars who began their educational journey this fall semester, discussing the program's impact and the students' experiences as they embark on careers addressing the critical shortage of qualified early childhood educators in the region.
“It was inspiring to see the Trustees spend time with the first cohort of Suzanne McGraw Scholars and witness their incredible passion for education,” said Matthew R. Manfra, vice president for Institutional Advancement at Mercy University. "We are deeply grateful to the Suzanne McGraw Foundation for believing in our mission and investing in these future educators and the communities they will serve!"
In late 2025, the Suzanne McGraw Foundation made a historic investment of more than $9 million to Mercy University to establish the groundbreaking scholarship program. The initiative directly addresses the urgent need for qualified early childhood educators while removing financial barriers for students committed to the field.
The Suzanne McGraw Scholars program represents a comprehensive investment in both individual scholars and the broader community, creating a pipeline of highly trained, committed early childhood educators. The program offers a holistic approach to educator preparation, providing:
- Comprehensive financial support for a Bachelor of Science in Teaching Students with Disabilities (PreK–Grade 12), with the opportunity to continue into an accelerated Master of Science in Early Childhood Education at no tuition cost
- Dedicated mentoring and professional development throughout the academic journey
- Earn-while-you-learn model offers scholars invaluable hands-on, paid experience in early childhood education classrooms
- Post-graduation commitment to work in the field for at least one year, ensuring sustained community impact
“The Suzanne McGraw Scholars program is a really fabulous opportunity for students interested in teaching at an early childhood education level,” said Dr. Eric Martone, dean of the School of Education. “I am really proud of the students we have selected. They are a really wonderful group of students, very motivated to become the very best educators they can possibly be.”
The October 5 visit provided an opportunity for foundation trustees to witness firsthand the program's early success and to hear directly from scholars about their aspirations and experiences.
Learn more about the Suzanne McGraw Scholars program at https://mercy.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid/scholarships-grants/suzanne-mcgraw-scholars-program