NEW YORK, October 10, 2012 – Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY) received a  charitable gift from Morgan Stanley Smith Barney (MSSB).  The firm highlights the volunteer activities of its employees who demonstrate a commitment to strengthening and supporting their communities.  In honor of Wendy Cohen, Vice President and Marketing Director, MSSB donated $2,000 to be awarded to a deserving MCNY student.  Wendy Cohen is the daughter of social-activist and MCNY Founder Audrey Cohen and a Trustee of the College.

This year’s recipient is Nicole V. Clark, MPA candidate of the MCNY Emergency and Disaster Management MPA program.  Professor Matthew Khaled, MPA, CEM proudly states, “Ms. Clark is my student and she has distinguished herself with her dedication and scholarship.”

“Our Constructive Action (CA) projects are the heart of MCNY’s Purpose-Centered Education and are rooted in application, action and assessment.  We are thrilled to offer this grant to deserving students that best show excellence through a combination of classroom and professional learning,” said Dr. Vinton Thompson, President of MCNY.  “Following in the footsteps of her mother Audrey Cohen, Wendy Cohen is truly dedicated to innovative education which affects positive social change.”

Born out of the idealism and turbulence of the 1960s, Metropolitan College of New York was founded by Audrey Cohen, an innovative educator who believed the key to a truly effective education lay in uniting the classroom with the professional world.    Students first acquire the necessary information and skills in the classroom, then put that knowledge to use in a professional setting.  By the end of each semester, each student produces a written CA project, a workable plan of action that illustrates how well the student has integrated theories – from class into work setting or internship – in an effective, relevant, scholarly and clearly documented manner.

MCNY students and alumni tout the success of their CA seminar experiences.  In fact, many CA’s have served as a blueprint for  non-profit agencies and for-profit businesses started by students.  In the for-profit sector, MCNY students have influenced the fields of financial services, retailing, media and entertainment.  In the non-profit arena, the College’s students and alumni have made a significant impact in fields such as mental health, developmental disabilities, education, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, criminal justice, and work with the elderly.

The Morgan Stanley Foundation has been supporting the communities in which Morgan Stanley employees live and work for nearly 50 years.

About Morgan Stanley Smith Barney:

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, a global leader in wealth management, provides a range of products and services to individuals, businesses and institutions, including brokerage and investment advisory services, financial and wealth planning, credit and lending, cash management, annuities and insurance, retirement and trust services.  Morgan Stanley is a leading global financial services firm providing a wide range of investment banking, securities, investment management and wealth management services.  The Firm’s employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals from more than 1,200 offices in 42 countries.  For further information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com.