Rockville Centre, NY (March 25, 2024) |
As part of a growing partnership and focus on serving the Hispanic community on Long Island, Molloy University, Ocean Financial Federal Credit Union (Ocean Financial) and 100 Hispanic Women announced The 100 Hispanic LI Scholarship program to young Hispanic women across Long Island on March 21.
The 100 Hispanic LI Scholarships will be awarded to young Hispanic women who are attending or will attend Molloy University in the coming academic year. The initial $5,000 funding will be divided into three scholarships: two $1,250 undergraduate scholarships and one $2,500 graduate scholarship. The recipients will be chosen by 100 Hispanic Women.
The program expands the relationship among Molloy, Ocean Financial and 100 Hispanic Women to further the education of young Hispanic women across Long Island.
“Everyone needs help getting to college and this collaboration will help fund scholarships and other programs that we will be developing for Hispanic students,” said James P. Lentini, President of Molloy University.
“It is proven that students on scholarships finish their education,” said Alicia McGrath, President of 100 Hispanic Women. “With these scholarships, we are giving members of the Hispanic community the additional advantage of completing their education and getting those necessary credentials to be competitive in this world.”
In the last several years, Ocean Financial, 100 Hispanic Women and Molloy University have collaborated on several initiatives that serve the Hispanic population across Long Island.
“One of the things that Ocean Financial is focused on is financial literacy. We hope to continue to take that initiative to the next level through these educational opportunities,” said Joseph Tedesco, President and CEO of Ocean Financial.
In 2023, Ocean Financial pledged $500,000 over a five-year period to Molloy University that aims to improve the financial literacy of Molloy students, the largest corporate gift that the University has received. This includes the sponsorship of the Mentoring Latinas Program at Molloy, a program that is specifically designed for Latina students at participating high schools to expose them to university life and engage them in relevant activities, including visits to academic departments, financial workshops, and athletic and cultural events.
Wendy Espinosa, Program Coordinator for Experiential Learning at Molloy University and coordinator of the Mentoring Latinas Program, shared her story of how she was first involved in the program as a mentee when she was in high school, followed by a mentor when she became a Molloy student. She now helps orchestrate the program for the next generation of Latinas.
“The Mentoring Latinas Program holds a special place in my heart because I feel that I have found a place where I am represented,” said Espinosa. “The mentors and mentees look like me, speak the same language and have similar cultural backgrounds.”
Today’s announcement included remarks from James P. Lentini, President of Molloy University; Edward Thompson, Vice President of Advancement at Molloy University; Joseph Tedesco, President and CEO of Ocean Financial Federal Credit Union; and Alicia McGrath, President of the Long Island Chapter of 100 Hispanic Women.
From Left to Right: Jim Lentini, Alicia McGrath and Joseph Tedesco.