Today, Mercy University announced the launch of the Suzanne McGraw Scholars Program, made possible by a transformative philanthropic gift of more than $9 million from the Suzanne McGraw Foundation. The gift represents the largest in Mercy University’s history and will support a groundbreaking initiative to prepare highly skilled early childhood educators while addressing the urgent need for qualified early childhood educators in the region.
“We are deeply grateful to the Suzanne McGraw Foundation for this extraordinary gift and partnership, which demonstrates our shared vision for educational access and community impact,” said Susan L. Parish, PhD, MSW, president of Mercy University. “The Suzanne McGraw Scholars Program will provide students with a combination of financial assistance, meaningful classroom experiences, and mentorship. This innovative model will create a sustainable, replicable model for aggressively addressing the region’s urgent teacher shortage. Scholars will graduate not only with degrees and experience but as prepared leaders ready to inspire in classrooms, communities, and beyond.”
“The Suzanne McGraw Foundation is excited to partner with Mercy University to address the urgent need to attract and train students for careers in early childhood education, especially for children with special needs,” said the Board of the Suzanne McGraw Foundation. “By providing scholarships and valuable work experience, we hope to create a model for addressing the shortage of qualified early childhood educators and to eliminate the crushing burden of student loan debt.”
Launching in Fall 2026, the program will prepare 25 new early childhood educators each year through a structured, work-integrated degree program. Suzanne McGraw Scholars will receive comprehensive financial support, dedicated mentoring, and robust professional development as they pursue Mercy’s B.S. in Teaching Students with Disabilities (PreK–Grade 12) program. Scholars will also have the opportunity to continue into an accelerated M.S. degree in Early Childhood Education at no tuition cost to the scholar.
A distinguishing feature of the program is its earn-while-you-learn model. Scholars will work in early childhood education classrooms throughout their studies, gaining invaluable hands-on experience while receiving financial compensation. Upon graduation, Scholars commit to working in the field for at least one year, ensuring sustained impact in early childhood education when it’s needed most.
Applications for the inaugural cohort of Suzanne McGraw Scholars are currently open. For more information about the program and application requirements, visit https://www.mercy.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid/scholarships-grants/suzanne-mcgraw-scholars-program.