SU to use more than $2M donation for ECS student center

SYRACUSE — Syracuse University (SU) says it will use a more than $2 million donation for a student center in its College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS). The funding comes from the Campos Foundation and its founders, Marcos Campos and his sister, Deanna Compos-Miller. Marcos Campos’ son is a third-year student in SU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts. The Campos Student Center will be housed on the second floor of the Center for Science and Technology. The student center will offer programming designed to attract underrepresented students to the college and “support the academic success of all ECS students,” SU said. It comes at a “time of tremendous growth” for ECS. As part of SU’s academic strategic plan, ECS will grow its enrollment and faculty ranks by 50 percent by 2028, per the university’s announcement. “The Campos Student Center will provide dedicated space for our students with a home for collaboration, community and access to resources that maximize their success,” J. Cole Smith, dean of the SU College of Engineering and Computer Science, said in a news release. “This space will facilitate club activities that enhance the experience of our diverse student body. More than that, it will be a home on campus that is inviting and welcoming to all.” Campos’ donation was inspired by a recent visit to the SU campus and by the success of an earlier gift made by his foundation to the University of Colorado in Boulder. He says he saw the geography and the demographics of Syracuse and “thought he could make a similar impact,” SU noted. Campos believes the new student center will be a welcoming and inclusive home where engineering, computer science, and other STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) students can go for academic support, financial advice, and career direction. Campos’ career began with an internship at Texaco during his college years, and he joined the firm after graduation. By age 30, he had accumulated enough work and consulting experience, confidence, and wealth to start his own company and start giving back, SU said. Campos EPC, established in 2005 with headquarters in Denver, offers engineering, procurement and construction counsel for utility, energy and midstream organizations.