MCNY alum gives $25K to BX students
Scholarship will provide aid for single parent or formerly incarcerated
BY JENNA BAGCAL
Students at the Metropolitan
College of New York’s
(MCNY) Bronx campus are
now eligible for a $25,000 scholarship,
thanks to the donation
from one of its alumnus.
The school recently announced
the Victor M. Rivera
Scholarship made possible by
its namesake, who is currently
the president and CEO of the
Bronx Parent Housing Network
(BPHN). The scholarship
will serve as tuition assistance
for two Bronx-based students
—one man and one woman
— who have at least a 3.0 GPA
and are a single parent or were
formerly incarcerated.
“We are excited to be able
to offer the Victor M. Rivera
Scholarship to students who
are striving to create more
promising futures for themselves
and their families
through the power of Purpose-
Centered Education,” said
Joanne Passaro, president of
MCNY. “We are thankful for
this gift from Mr. Rivera, and
we celebrate all that he does
for our Bronx community.
MCNY is proud to have him as
an alumnus.”
Rivera earned his bachelor’s
and master’s degrees
from MCNY, which was
founded more than 50 years
ago by Audrey Cohen. According
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, N 14 OVEMBER 20-26 BTR
to the institution, its entire
approach is based on Purpose-
Centered Education, which
blends theory and practice
into the lives and jobs of its students.
As a result, the school’s
curriculum “promotes social
justice and encourages positive
change in workplaces
and communities.”
Nearly 20 years ago, Rivera
started BPHN to address
his own street homelessness
and issues of substance
use, incarceration and gang
violence. Over the past two
decades, Rivera has been
committed to the organization’s
mission of transforming
people’s lives which leads
them to meaningful employment
and safe, affordable and
permanent housing.
“MCNY and I have a shared
mission and this scholarship
is a step toward fulfi lling it,”
said Rivera, “Nobody should
have to choose between having
shelter, paying bills or putting
food on the table. Education
built my path. Education
helps people transform and
stand on their own with pride
knowing that THEY have
made the choice to succeed for
a better life — for their families
and communities.”
Read more at bxtimes.com.
Victor M. Rivera, president and CEO of Bronx Parent Housing Network Photo courtesy of MCNY
/bxtimes.com
