On Point for College

View Utica Celebration Video Here

Contact: Kevin Marken, Utica Director 315-454-7293
Dawn Laguerre, Media 315-266-7548 laguerremedia@gmail.com

For immediate release: October 25, 2022

On Point for College Utica 2022 Virtual Celebration

On Point for College provides students with comprehensive services that help them overcome barriers to empower their success and fulfill their potential. On Point for College changes lives through college, certificate programs, apprenticeships and other pathways that helps students fulfill their career dreams.

The organization is dedicated to developing programs and cultivating relationships to change the lives of traditional and non-traditional, 17- to 29-year-old students by breaking down barriers through access to training, college and careers for success in life. On Point for College works with students from application to graduation and beyond, making higher education accessible to youth who have the desire and the will, but who feel college and other post-secondary opportunities are out of reach due to economic, academic and other barriers.

On Point for College Utica has been honoring star students and partners since 2013. We have helped more than 1800 first-generation Utica area adults overcome obstacles to their success. Over 800 students have already graduated with the help of On Point for College in the Utica Region with several hundred more currently in schools. To celebrate these successes, On Point for College is hosting a virtual event Thursday, November 10, 2021 at 5:00 PM.  The link to the 2022 On Point for College Utica Adirondack Bank Celebration will be:

 onpointforcollege.org/celebration , and on 95.5FM The Heat Phoenix Radio.

Awards will be given to the following honorees:

The On Point for College Campus Angel Award is given to an individual at a college or university who has gone above and beyond to help On Point’s first-generation, lower-income students overcome challenges and empower their success. For ongoing student support, the 2022 On Point for College Utica Campus Angel Award will be presented to SUNY Poly Educational Opportunity Program Director Melissa Prest.

On Point for College Utica’s Foundation of Hope Awards are given to organizations and individuals who have effectively partnered to positively help change our students lives and communities. The On Point for College Foundation of Hope Award will be presented to Frank Giotto and the Tower Foundation. Frank Giotto has served on the On Point Utica Steering Committee for several years and helped many On Point for College students and others most in need through his Tower Foundation.

The On Point Make a Difference Award is given to NAACP Rome President Jackie Nelson. She is an individual whose work with On Point has made a difference in the lives of On Point students. Jackie is an amazing leader, On Point for College Rome champion, and caring partner for On Point for College as well as others in need.

The On Point for College Utica Dream Maker Award is given to organizations and individual leaders who, through their leadership, investments and collaboration, have helped make the educational and career dreams of our students come true. This year’s recipients have provided steadfast support for On Point for College programs, student internships and jobs, demonstrating their priority to make student dreams a reality. This year’s Dream Maker award is given to The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties Racial Justice and Social Equity Fund, the Foundation’s Director of Community Engagement Olivia Paul and the Foundation’s Board of Trustees Chair Judge Jawwaad Rasheed. They have been champions for our On Point for College students helping make their dreams of college graduation and a better future possible.

“On Point for College Utica has helped hundreds of young people and continues to change lives through educational opportunities,” said Alicia Fernandez Dicks, president/CEO of the Community Foundation. “On behalf of our board and staff, I want to thank On Point for recognizing Jawwaad and Olivia and our continuing work as an organization aimed at building a vibrant region with opportunity for all.”

You can become a supporter of On Point for College, and help future students succeed:

Supporter levels:

$65 College Admission Supporter

$100 Internet Access Supporter

$250 Textbooks Supporter

$500 Student Laptop Supporter

For more information call Kevin Marken at 315-454-7293 or make your donation to help make a student’s educational dreams come true online at: www.onpointforcollege.org/celebration

Sponsors making this event possible include: Adirondack Bank, Herkimer State University of New York, the Heat Phoenix Radio, PJ Green Printing, and WFXV 33 Eyewitness News.

About On Point for College:

On Point for College is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1999. The organization works to help first-generation students access and succeed in college and careers. To date, the organization has helped more than 4,000 students earn degrees from more than 200 college and universities. For general information about On Point, please visit onpointforcollege.org. For media-specific information, please visit onpointforcollege.org/media