Saratoga Casino and Raceway has created
a scholarship in conjunction with
Schenectady County Community College
(SCCC), designated for second year students
in SCCC’s new casino gaming management
program.
The two-year associate’s degree program
kicked off this fall Saratoga Casino and
Raceway will award $10,000 per year to fund
the scholarship, called the Saratoga Casino
Award for Excellence.
In March, the State University of New
York and the state Education Department
approved SCCC’s casino gaming management
program. College officials met with
the New York Gaming Association as well
as Saratoga Casino and Raceway officials
for input on the program’s development.
“This is an important partnership as the casino gaming industry is scheduled for growth in New York state and we believe that this program will provide real opportunities for future employment,” said Denise Murphy McGraw, chairwoman of the SCCC Board of Trustees. “Students will walk away prepared to perform all aspects of casino operations.”
The scholarship will award $2,500 per year to four full-time returning matriculated students, entering their second year of study in the casino gaming management program. To qualify, each applicant must have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.0,with a minimum of 30 credits earned by the end of the previous spring semester.
Recipients will be provided $1,250 per semester, qualifying for another $1,250 the second semester upon maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0, and having earned a minimum of 15 credits in the first semester in which they receive the scholarship.
Scholarship dollars may be used to support tuition, fees, and all other educational expenses.
“The best way to ensure our success is to make sure we are actively participating in the education of our future employees and leaders,” said Rita Cox, Saratoga Casino and Raceway’s senior vice president of marketing. “Working with Schenectady County Community College’s casino gaming management program is the best way to do that.”
Students enrolled in the program will study the logistics of running a gaming floor, the laws that govern gambling operations and will participate in industry specific internships.
“The scholarship provides an excellent opportunity for our students entering into this growing industry,” said SCCC President, Dr. Quintin Bullock. “Anticipating the needs of the work force, SCCC is always adapting with new programs. The casino gaming and management program is a positive addition to our department of Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Tourism.”
Saratoga Casino and Raceway established this scholarship to coincide with the inaugural class of students in SCCC’s new program. Awards will be given for the first time at the May 22, 2014, Honors Convocation.