KEUKA PARK — A Keuka College alumna has created a new scholarship designed to help education majors manage the financial challenges that come with student-teaching and entering the workforce.
Dr. Crystal Gips, a 1965 graduate and former chair of the College’s Board of Trustees, established the Crystal Gips Next Generation Educator Scholarship to support students as they complete certification requirements and transition into their first teaching roles. The scholarship provides up to $750 per student to help cover expenses such as licensure exams, certification fees, transportation and professional attire.
College officials said the costs associated with becoming a certified teacher in New York can add up quickly, particularly during student-teaching placements when students are often advised not to work. Division Chair and Professor of Education Dr. Klaudia Lorinczova noted that beyond earning a degree, graduates must pay for state licensure applications and certification exams.
Recent graduate Jessica Avery of Victor, who completed her degree in Early Childhood and Special Education in 2025, said unexpected expenses forced her to delay taking certification exams. She said the scholarship will help cover exam fees and classroom supplies, adding that many teachers pay for materials out of pocket.
The scholarship was piloted during the fall 2025 semester, with every student in the cohort applying. Lorinczova said many applicants expressed a desire to use the funds not only for personal expenses but also to purchase materials for their future classrooms.
Gips said her own student-teaching experience was made more affordable through local housing arrangements that are less common today. She described the scholarship as a way to give future educators added confidence by easing financial stress during a critical stage of their careers.
Jamie Tilbe, who completed her degree in Unified Childhood and Special Education in December and now teaches preschool special education in Watertown, said the scholarship helped reduce financial strain as she prepared for certification and her first classroom.
Keuka College officials said the scholarship reflects a broader commitment to supporting future teachers as they enter the profession.
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