ROME, NY – NOVEMBER 13, 2023:  AmeriCU Credit Union is excited to announce its partnership with the SUNY Poly Foundation in establishing the Nursing 300 Scholarship Program to support future healthcare professionals. The Nursing 300 Program will address the growing shortage of qualified nurses, ensuring the delivery of quality healthcare to the community.

SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s (SUNY Poly) College of Health Sciences launched the nursing pilot program in fall 2023 by offering 12 nursing students, currently enrolled at Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC), the opportunity to take their first Nursing 300 class at SUNY Polytechnic Institute at no cost. AmeriCU supports SUNY Poly’s commitment to encourage philanthropic support in order to provide scholarships to students, assist faculty and staff in enhanced learning, and community engagement.

“Many of the prospective students who apply for this support are non-traditional students who may currently be working in the field; this program allows them to further their education,” said Andrea LaGatta, Assistant Vice President of Development. “We are grateful AmeriCU Credit Union made this opportunity possible for our students.”

One recipient of this year’s scholarship program is a local nursing student, Christine Lynch. Lynch took time off from pursuing her education to start a family. Once her children were school age, she decided it was time for her to continue to pursue her passion. To Lynch, receiving this scholarship is a source of immense pride and is a remarkable achievement. “Deciding to continue my education in my nursing career was a big decision for me and my family.  Receiving this scholarship means a lot to us, said Lynch. “I am truly grateful for this opportunity to deliver quality nursing services to the community.”

Through the partnership between SUNY Poly and St. Elizabeth College of Nursing, a student accepted into the 1+2+1 program enjoys seamless transitions between the two institutions and completes two degrees in four years. This initiative assists students of diverse ages and backgrounds, offering them the unique opportunity to further their education.

By supporting the SUNY Poly Foundation, AmeriCU is demonstrating its commitment to learning, community engagement, and a brighter future for all. AmeriCU is honored to contribute to these educational initiatives offered by SUNY Polytechnic Institute.

To learn more about AmeriCU and the communities the credit union serves, visit https://www.americu.org/in-our-community/.

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About SUNY Polytechnic Institute

SUNY Poly is charting a path to become New York State’s and the nation’s premier public polytechnic. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees – via its four colleges: Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering, and Health Sciences – in engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, and the engineering technologies; professional studies, including business, communication, and nursing; and arts and sciences, including biology, game design, mathematics, and social sciences at its campus located in Utica. Established in 1966 as the Upper Division College at Herkimer/Rome/Utica, SUNY Poly today operates as an innovative academic leader and economic driver in the Mohawk Valley region and beyond. For more information, visit www.sunypoly.edu.

The purpose of the Department of Nursing at SUNY Polytechnic Institute is to prepare graduates of its program, at the beginning and advanced levels of their practice, to utilize theory, leadership, and research evidence as the foundation of their practice. They are prepared to continue their education and to deliver quality nursing services to individuals, families, groups and communities.

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About AmeriCU Credit Union

As a credit union, AmeriCU is a not-for-profit financial institution owned by our members. Serving 24 counties in New York and beyond, AmeriCU provides you with all the products and services you need – often with low or no fees, and better rates. The organization has been serving the local community for over 70 years and, in that time, has grown to more than 160,000 members, 20 financial centers, and $2.7 billion in assets. AmeriCU is located in Central New York and is among the State’s largest, full-service financial cooperatives. For more information, visit www.AmeriCU.org.

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Photo Caption:

Front Row, From Left to Right:  Winston Oluwole Soboyejo, President of SUNY Polytechnic Institute; Joanne Joseph, Interim Dean, College of Health Sciences; Christine Lynch, SUNY Poly Student; Andrea MacDiarmid, Manager of Community & Public Relations of AmeriCU; Gail Rizzo-Spilka, Assistant Vice President, Membership Development of AmeriCU; Andrea LaGatta, Assistant Vice President of Development of SUNY Poly; Wayne A. Westervelt, Chief of Staff & Vice President for External Relations of SUNY Poly

Back Row, From Left to Right: SUNY Poly faculty — Amy Weaver, Assistant Professor of Nursing; Francia Reed, Assistant Chair of Undergraduate Nursing; Louise Dean-Kelly, Associate Professor, Nursing; Patricia Roach, Coordinator, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP); Kathy Marollo, Lecturer, Family Nurse Practitioner; Cindy Grabski, Assistant Professor of Nursing

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