Stony Brook University has received a $260,000 grant from Santander US Bank to support its new Pathways to Employability initiative. The two-year program is designed to help first-generation and Pell-eligible college students gain skills needed for the workforce.
The Stony Brook Career Center will oversee the program, offering professional development workshops, mentorship opportunities, and corporate site visits. These activities aim to give students confidence, industry exposure, and access to internships. The grant will also provide scholarships and fund graduate student coordinator positions.
“Being the first in your family to attend college means blazing a trail without a clear map,” said Associate Vice President for Career Readiness and Experiential Education Marianna Savoca. “At the Stony Brook Career Center, we want to be that guide — helping our ‘firsts’ navigate with confidence and excitement. With Santander’s generous gift, we’re building a model that can grow here and inspire replication across other institutions.”
Vice President for Student Affairs Richard “Rick” Gatteau expressed appreciation for the support: “We are incredibly thankful to Santander US for their support in helping advance equity and opportunity. This grant will strengthen our efforts to expand experiential learning opportunities, ensuring that every Seawolf has access to the tools and experiences that foster success beyond graduation.”
Angela Moultrie, Region President of Santander Bank, N.A., stated: “At Santander, we believe in creating opportunities that help every student succeed. 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. The introduction of university grants in the U.S. builds on Santander’s commitment to provide open access to world-class resources, reinforcing its belief that lifelong learning is essential in today’s dynamic job market.”
The Pathways to Employability program will begin serving students in January 2026 as part of Stony Brook's ongoing mission of inclusive excellence.
Santander Holdings USA operates as an intermediate holding company for several financial subsidiaries in the United States. It is owned by Banco Santander S.A., which serves approximately 178 million customers globally across regions including Europe and Latin America (www.santanderus.com).
Stony Brook University is New York’s flagship public university within the State University of New York system. It enrolls over 27,000 students with more than 3,000 faculty members. The institution participates in research collaborations such as co-managing Brookhaven National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy—one of only eight universities involved at this level—and was named anchor institution for The New York Climate Exchange on Governors Island in 2023. According to U.S News & World Report rankings, it is #59 overall among national universities and #26 among public universities nationwide.
For more information about Stony Brook University follow them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/stonybrooku/ or X@stonybrooku.