SEFCU President and CEO Michael Castellana joined Siena College President Fr. Kevin Mullen ’75, O.F.M., Ph.D. in announcing a partnership to support Siena’s NEXT Program. Castellana presented Mullen with a large, ceremonial check for $500,000 during Siena’s Community Forum focused on the future of Albany youth.
“SEFCU is excited about the creation of the NEXT Program that will enable non-profits in the community to gain help with strategic planning, board development, and more,” said Michael J. Castellana, President and CEO of SEFCU. “The most crucial part of this program will emphasize the importance of shared services, mergers, and collaborations. For non-profits to survive, they must work together and this program will teach them how. An added bonus is that we will be getting students involved in giving back to our community, which will hopefully instill in them a sense of service to make our region stronger,” Castellana added.
The NEXT Program will build on the strengths of Siena College’s Office of Academic Community Engagement by allowing it to partner with Siena’s School of Business faculty and students to consult with the non-profit sector to address issues including business efficiency, cross-agency collaborations and outcome-driven program development. The NEXT Program will deepen the partnerships between the College’s faculty and students and its non-profit partners.
“This is a significant partnership that brings together the Siena College community with the good people at SEFCU. Through this partnership, Siena College and SEFCU will work together to advance the goals of nonprofit agencies in the Capital Region,” said Mullen. “Through SEFCU’s gift, Siena College’s Office of Academic Community Engagement, together with faculty and students from the School of Business, will partner with local non-profit agencies to provide training in business practices and to find efficiencies that will help these organizations thrive for years to come.”
Immediately after the presentation, City of Albany Mayor Gerald Jennings, Albany County District Attorney David Soares, City School District of Albany Superintendent Marguerite Vanden Wyngaard, Ph.D. and Capital District YMCA President and CEO David Brown participated in a panel discussion moderated by News Channel 13 Anchor Benita Zahn.
During the day-long forum, nonprofit leaders, K-12 teachers, higher education professionals, parents and students participated in small group discussions. They considered a variety of topics, including health, career development, technology, leadership and citizenship, high school completion, after school programs and college access.
