Star power
Calvin Gantt, Millibel Cotto, Gretchen Wood
STAR POWER SCHOLARSHIP EMPOWERS EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT FOR SINGLE CAREGIVERS AT MCC
The STAR Power Scholarship supports primary caregivers of a minor child who are head of household and provides the necessary resources to help them cross the finish line to graduation. Millibel Cotto ’25 is a STAR Power Scholarship recipient.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico and told at age 17 that her life was over when she became pregnant, Millibel believed she had no chance for a future as an unemployed teen mom who is Latina and self-conscious about her English skills. In 2021, she lost her job and apartment and had no income for months, often not having enough food for herself and her two sons. She eventually was able to find a new job and was determined to support her children and further her education.
The turning point for Millibel was deciding to enroll at Monroe Community College and seek out the various opportunities and benefits available to our students. She received not only a STAR Power Scholarship but also the Sara Furguson Scholarship that is designed to help students pursue their passion through their educational journeys. In addition to her studies and participation in the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, Millibel found employment assisting in the Teaching and Learning Department at the Rochester City School District and provided counseling and crisis intervention services at School of the Arts. With scholarships and extra support systems in place, Millibel became fully independent. After graduation, Millibel plans on a career helping students at the elementary school level.
“My time at MCC has been truly transformative, and I am already thinking about ways I can remain connected after graduation. I have received tremendous support and numerous opportunities. When MCC Foundation donors believe in students like me, it changes lives, it helps us achieve our goals but also empowers us to give back to the community and inspire others. Their generosity means the world to me.” —Millibel Cotto ’25
Gold Star
($50,000 and above)
Elizabeth A. Sydor ’79
Super Star
($25,000 and above)
Elaine Anderson
Flor & Bobby Colón
Lauren Dixon & Michael Schwabl / DS+CO
Kelly Olczak
Susan & Bob Touhsaent
Lori Van Dusen
Drs. Ingrid & Brian Watkins
Laurie & Jim Zaucha
Rock Star
($12,500 and above)
Julie Camardo / Zweigle’s Inc.
ESL Federal Credit Union
Cecelia Horwitz & Floyd Tucker
Lisa & Richard Paulis
Abby & Josh Reinhard
Diane L. Shoger & Timothy M. Coughlin
Gretchen & Mick Wood
Dazzling Star
($10,000 and above)
Essie Calhoun-McDavid & Bernard McDavid
Cornell/Weinstein Family Foundation
Susan and John DiMarco
Nellie & Wade Hedegard
Patricia & Mark Redding / The Saunders Foundation
Jessica & Tyler Savage
Maureen R. Wolfe
Anonymous
Lucky Star
($5,000 and above)
Kathleen K. Bromley, Professor Emerita
Mary Ellen Burris
Dr. John W. & Heather Goodbody
Focus Financial Partners, LLC
Bernice E. Hatch
Ken & Pamela Hines
Dr. Barbara Lovenheim
Kimberly McKinsey-Mabry ’95
Elaine S. Michael
Barbara Pierce
Courtney Smith Pulire and Charles Pulire
Bev French Taylor
Daniele & Eric Torres
Pam Viggiani & Robert Cole
Melanie & Jeremy Wolk
Rising Star
($1,000 and above)
Dirk Bernold & Karen Hatch
Emily & Marc Cohen
Penny Crudup ’12
Gregory Hinton
Diana M. Lauria
Dr. Vivian A. Palladoro
Kate & Stephen Polozie
Susan & Glenn Rothman
Christyn Sanagursky
Barbara & George Segel
James & Daria Shaw
Dr. Sarah Vanderlinde
Jennie Viggiani & Kevin McGuire
Peggy Weston Byrd
Dr. Alice Holloway Young*
shining Star
($500 and above)
Jodi Oriel ’93
Ginny Ryan
Erin L. Waller ’98
Luminaries
Vasant & Mangal Asgaonkar
Rachel Baker & Len Parker
Nita Brown
Browncroft Community Church
Dr. DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna & Joseph Nanna
Marcia Calabrese
Mia & Reggie Cannon
Sharon Cappon
Theresa & Joel Carter
Peter Collinge & Carol Thiel
Phyllis Colombino
Betsy Corletta
Neil & Catherine Doran
Lori Florack
Patricia Giordano
Meghan Glaser
Dr. Janet J. Glocker, Vice President Emerita
Kathleen W. Grinnell
Carl N. Howden CPA PA
Lisa A. Ippolito
Thomas Johnson
Garrett, Mary, Ella & Maya Knaak
Frederick & Cheryle Kulikowski
Bob & Chris Latella
Lawton Family
Professor Karen L. Morris
Dawn M. Murphy
Diane Navarro
Betty & Ed Nietopski
Linda & John Palmeri
Lisa & Richard Papaleo
Mark Pastorella ’90
Rochelle Watson Payne*
Scott & Kim Pugliese
Deborah Ronnen
Maureen & Thomas Ryan
Arthur & Lucille Sharf
Kristin M. Sine-Kinz
Kara J. Tierney
Mary Della Vella
Charis & Richard S. ’68 Warshof
Rita H. Zambuto
*Indicates donor is deceased