Mari-jean Morelli, a 2006 graduate of the College’s Nursing Program and former Saint Mary’s Hospital Emergency Room Nurse, donated $10,000 to create an endowment to support scholarships for single mothers in NVCC’s Nursing program.

Morelli is the first alumna of the nursing program to create a permanent endowment at the NVCC Foundation to ensure support of the College’s current and future students.  Committed to education and the community, her motivation in establishing the scholarship is to help single mothers in the nursing program who have overcome adversity, have excelled academically, and demonstrate financial need.

“I want to give back to the community that helped me during my struggle and offer support to other single mothers. The message I want to send is that all of us can be successful and when you meet that success, it's your turn to give back and help to empower others and offer hope to the community. I want to see others follow my lead and give back. You don't have to be rich or a celebrity to make a difference. Be the change that you want to see," Morelli said.

“I am very grateful to and so very proud of Mari-jean Morelli’s success and her willingness to give back to NVCC to support the success of other students,” said NVCC President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D. “What a generous and meaningful gift!”

The Naugatuck Valley Community College Foundation supports NVCC students with scholarships, grants and program support through generous donations from community organizations, and supporters of the College.  To learn more about donating to the NVCC Foundation, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Associate Dean of Development or visit nv.edu/foundation.