On Point for College names Rowser executive director

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — On Point for College — a Syracuse–based, nonprofit organization that helps inner-city youth overcome personal and financial hurdles to attend and succeed in college and beyond — has named Samuel D. Rowser as its next executive director, beginning Sept. 1, 2016.

Ginny Donohue, founder and executive director of On Point since its inception in 1999, will continue at On Point, working in development and on special projects on reduced hours under Rowser’s leadership, according to a news release the nonprofit issued Wednesday.

“For an organization like On Point for College, the dream is to select a new executive director from internal staff because it provides the greatest chance for the program to continue on in the same spirit,” Ron Peckham, board president, and chairman and CEO of C&S Companies, said in the release. “We’re fortunate to have such a competent, committed and caring leader in Sam Rowser.”

As a Syracuse native and lifelong resident, Rowser brings decades of experience mentoring thousands of low-income, first-generation college students in the inner city. Prior to joining the On Point staff 14 years ago, Rowser was an admissions assistant at Onondaga Community College (OCC) for 12 years and a career-development specialist at Southwest Community Center. At On Point, Rowser served as the program director before advancing to deputy executive director, his current role of nearly four years. He was named executive director after a unanimous vote by the organization’s board of directors, the release stated.

Rowser earned an associate degree in business administration from OCC, a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with a minor in psychology from Columbia College, and a master’s degree in business administration from Columbia College.

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