Jeremy Gonzalez Ortiz of Dunkirk is the 2023 recipient of the SUNY Jamestown Community College Willie Rosas Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship. Ortiz was nominated by Dunkirk High School for the award based on his leadership ability and achievements during high school.
Gonzalez Oritz, and Dunkirk Mayor
Willie Rosas.
The Rosas scholarship is named in honor of Dunkirk Mayor Willie Rosas, the first person of Hispanic heritage to be elected to a mayoral seat in New York state. The fund awards up to two high-achieving students who demonstrate strong leadership skills with $500 per semester while attending JCC. Students are nominated by teachers, counselors, or others in their high school.
Ortiz learned of the award when he arrived for the Dunkirk High School awards ceremony. Before the ceremony, he had the opportunity to stand with the mayor and Kirk Young, vice president of Student Affairs for JCC, for a picture. He said “it felt good” when all the pieces came together and he was formally presented with the scholarship.
“They wanted to choose a Hispanic student who had excelled in leadership throughout high school and who was going to JCC,” Ortiz explained. “They told me they chose a student who was coming to JCC and ready to get to work and improve himself.”
Scholarship recipients join JCC’s LEADS program, and hone their leadership skills by visiting their high school to encourage upcoming students to pursue higher education.
“The scholarship was created in 2016 and the fund continues to grow through the generosity of individual donors,” Young explained. “We target students who will attend the North County Center, but if that scenario isn’t encompassed by a nominee, then we look for someone who plans to study in Jamestown.”
SUNY JCC provides strong academic programs and diverse opportunities at its locations in Jamestown, Olean, and Dunkirk. The college offers more than 60 programs, 16-to-1 student-faculty ratio, and affordability with approximately 80% of students receiving financial aid. Learn more at sunyjcc.edu.