Syracuse Sun

A substantial gift of $300,000 has been donated anonymously to the School of Social Work at Syracuse University. The funds will establish the Genovese Scholars Program, aimed at supporting outstanding master of social work (M.S.W.) students. This initiative honors Jennifer C. Genovese, Ph.D., a long-serving psychotherapist and educator in the field.

The donation will be distributed among several top-performing students. Carrie Jefferson Smith, Chair and Professor at the School of Social Work, emphasized that "the Genovese Scholars Program represents a transformative opportunity for high-achieving individuals to pursue their academic and professional aspirations in social work, regardless of their financial situation."

Established in 1955, the School of Social Work has gained national recognition. It was ranked among the “Best Schools of Social Work” by U.S. News and World Report in 2024. The new scholars program is expected to further enhance its reputation.

Genovese Scholars will receive scholarships covering a significant portion of their tuition. They will also join a network offering mentorship and professional development opportunities while engaging in community service activities each semester.

“This extraordinary generosity has given us the ability to recruit and support top-tier students who are dedicated to becoming agents of change during a critical time of need,” Smith stated.

Eligibility for the program extends to all residential M.S.W. applicants pursuing traditional or advanced standing tracks through Syracuse's admissions process. Candidates must demonstrate academic excellence, human service experience, passion for social work, and provide strong recommendations.

For more information on applying to the Genovese Scholars Program, interested candidates can contact Adrienne Renfroe at alrenfro@syr.edu or visit the program's webpage.

The Genovese Scholars Program aims to cultivate future leaders in social work by promoting academic excellence and community involvement while supporting Syracuse University's mission to prepare skilled professionals committed to serving diverse communities.