by Christopher J. Brooks ’15
At first, Joan Mazzotti ’72 wasn’t sure if her family could afford to send her to college. The financial burden was large for the first-generation college student, but Mazzotti earned an Andrew J. Rider scholarship that put her on course to succeed. Now, more than 40 years later, the Rider alumna is helping students achieve the dream of higher education she once had.
For 14 years, Mazzotti has served as the executive director of Philadelphia Futures, a nonprofit organization that assists Philadelphia’s low-income students on their journey to continue their education. Sponsor-A-Scholar, Philadelphia Future’s most successful program, has raised nearly $6 million helping directly benefit hundreds of hopeful college scholars.
“We work with students in ninth grade and help them navigate high school and the college admission process, and we continue to support them while they are in college until they receive their degrees,” Mazzotti says.
Since graduating in 1972, Mazzotti has been an active and generous member of the alumni community, serving as chairwoman of the Rider University Board of Trustees from 1998 to 2002 and as a trustee from 1996 to 2005. In addition, Mazzotti and her husband, Michael Kelly, funded the Mazzotti Awards in Women’s Leadership in 2006. Each year, funds are awarded to a distinguished female staff or faculty member of Rider to provide her with leadership development opportunities.
At the 149th Commencement ceremony held on May 15, Rider awarded Mazzotti with an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for the time and support she has given to the University.