Give because an investment in Mercy College is an investment in education AND in the community. The effects are vast. Mercy works.

To indicate your support of Mercy College with a contribution please call (914) 674-7315, make an online gift now, or complete the contribution form. You may also visit this link to view other ways of supporting Mercy College.

The Office of Institutional Advancement is committed to ensuring that Mercy College has the resources necessary to grow and continue to service the community by offering a quality education to those who may have been underserved educationally. Your contributions are used wisely and effectively to benefit the Mercy College Community.

Mercy is a comprehensive college offering over 90 undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional degree programs. It features five campuses in Manhattan, Dobbs Ferry, Yorktown Heights, White Plains and the Bronx. Additionally, a sixth campus offering both courses and entire degree programs is offered online.

Since its founding in 1950, Mercy College has fulfilled its mission of service to the community by making quality higher education possible for those who have been underserved by traditional institutions. Today, the College boasts an enrollment of over 10,000 students who are comprised almost equally of Hispanics, African-Americans and Caucasians. More than 80% of undergraduates will be the first in their families to earn a college diploma.

Mercy is dedicated to making college accessible to all segments of the population: its tuition is among the lowest of any private college in the state. Classes are offered at such times that are convenient for working adults such as evenings and weekends. So that each student can receive the individualized attention that is needed, class sizes average only 17 students. Mercy's greatest strength is its dedicated and inspired faculty who teach on multiple campuses and are committed to ensuring that each student will be successful.

Success for Mercy is not defined by such artificial intake measurements as prior GPA, SAT scores or how many potential students the school rejected. Instead, Mercy defines its success by the success of its students. Last year over 2,700 students earned degrees whose quality has been established by the competency measures imbedded in each course. Their chosen majors indicate a clear preference for programs that translate into increased lifetime income, better quality of life and preparation for leadership within the community.

REMEMBER:

• Contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
• Every gift counts, even a gift of $10 goes a long way toward meeting the critical needs of our students when combined with similar gifts from others.
• Checks should be made payable to Mercy College and sent to the attention of the Office of Institutional Advancement.
• Mercy College operates on a July 1 through June 30 fiscal year. Gifts received by June 30 are included in a fund year.

Joyce S. Schader
Director of Development and Annual Giving
(914) 674-7414
jschader@mercy.edu

THESE ARE MERCY'S STUDENTS:

• Among undergraduate students, the average age is 29, 70% are women and 42% support dependent children. Over 80% of students are employed, and half of those work full time. These non-traditional students must achieve a fragile balance between the competing demands of work, family, community and academic obligations. Mercy offers flexible schedules, convenient locations and on line degree programs.
• Approximately 83% of Mercy's NYC students, and 71% of all Mercy students are considered low-to moderate income, based on the 2003 MSA median income of $51,900. More than half (54%) of students have a family income of under $20,000 per year. Over 85% of students are eligible for need-based financial assistance. Mercy maintains one of the lowest private school tuitions in the metropolitan area and pledges that no motivated and qualified student will be denied an education solely for financial reasons.
• Over 80% of undergraduates are the first in their families to earn a college diploma. These first generation students must often overcome challenges of language, culture, poor academic preparation and family instability in order to pursue their education. Mercy offers support services to help students decode this 'hidden curriculum' and achieve success.
• This year's 10,000 students came to Mercy from every borough of NYC, the greater New York metropolitan area, nationally and from over 100 foreign countries. Students in New York City number 3,269, of which 2,693 are from the Bronx. The Bronx campus is currently operating at 135% of capacity, and a new facility is scheduled to open in January of 2004.
• The school is a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution. By definition, Hispanic Serving Institution's are under funded, and at least 50% of the enrolled Hispanic students are verified low-income. "Between 2000 and 2025, working age Latinos are projected to increase by 18 million (US Census Bureau, 1999). Thus, the vitality of the US work force increasingly depends on Hispanic educational progress." Hispanic students have a high risk of not enrolling or graduating from higher education. Hispanics comprise 31% of Mercy's student body, but are more focused at the Bronx Campus where 68% of students are Latino. Mercy ranks 3rd in the nation in the number of Hispanics graduated with Masters of Education degrees.
• Rated a "best educational value" by Black Enterprise magazine in 2000, in 2003 Mercy ranked 4th nationally for the number of African-American graduates achieving Masters of Education Degrees. African-American students make up 28% of Mercy's student population.
• Nationwide, minority enrollment is expected to dramatically increase in the next decade to some 37% of undergraduate enrollment by 2015. Additionally, students over age 25 are among the fastest-growing segment of college enrollments, and comprise 1/3 of the student population.