By GREGORY ZELLER //
A big-time grant from a Spanish financial institution – by way of its Boston-based U.S. subsidiary – will supercharge a leading Long Island university’s workforce-development efforts.
State University of New York flagship Stony Brook University has received a $260,000 grant from Santander US Bank, earmarked for Stony Brook’s Pathways to Employability initiative – a new two-year program designed to give first-generation collegians the “career-relevant experiential learning opportunities” they need to build “essential workforce skills,” according to the university.
Targeting both first-generation students (denoting the children of parents without college degrees) and Pell Grant-eligible learners (referencing the federal needs-based education grants), Pathways to Employability – administered by the Stony Brook Career Center and preparing for liftoff in the Spring 2026 semester – will offer customized professional-development workshops, professional site visits, mentorship opportunities and internship programs, all designed to give students positive industry exposure and build the confidence of next-generation workforces.
Marianna Savoca: Putting students on the map.
That’s right in the wheelhouse for Santander US, which announced more than $10 million in collegiate grants and scholarships in July. The college-level funding was part of a $25 million commitment to U.S. education, employability and entrepreneurship programs – and in line with an organizational creed that sees education as the key to professional success.
“The introduction of university grants in the United States … [reinforces our] belief that lifelong learning is essential in today’s dynamic job market,” noted Santander Bank Region President Angela Moultrie. “Through our partnership with Stony Brook University, we are proud to support initiatives that provide students with the resources, programs and experiences that make a meaningful difference in their education and future careers.
“At Santander, we believe in creating opportunities that help every student succeed.”
That’s also the gist of the Stony Brook Career Center, according to Stony Brook University Associate Vice President for Career Readiness and Experiential Education Marianna Savoca, who likened first-generation students to trailblazers working “without a clear map.”
“We want to be that guide – helping our ‘firsts’ navigate with confidence and excitement,” Savoca said. “With Santander’s generous gift, we’re building a model that can grow here and inspire replication across other institutions.”
Richard Gatteau, the university’s vice president for student affairs, said in a statement the Santander stipend would “advance equity and opportunity” at the SUNY flagship.
“This grant will strengthen our efforts to expand experiential learning opportunities,” Gatteau added, “ensuring that every Seawolf has access to the tools and experiences that foster success beyond graduation.”
