A Commitment to Expand Access and Opportunity

"We were first-generation students ourselves, and we have three daughters who have benefited from higher education," says Dr. Jeffrey Jones of the motivation behind a generous commitment he and his wife, Pam Jones, recently made to UCF.

"As students," Pam adds, "we received scholarships and grants that helped us out immensely, and that was one of the reasons we wanted to give this gift."

Their commitment — a mix of current use and planned gift funding — will establish the Pam and Jeff Jones Scholarship Fund. Scholarships will benefit first-generation students, with preference given to those who come through the DirectConnect to UCF program, an innovative partnership that expands access to the university by guaranteeing admission to students who earn an associate degree at one of six regional partner colleges.

Supporting these students was a logical fit for the couple, who are passionate about helping students and making education more accessible. Dr. Jones, who currently serves as vice provost for UCF Connect and UCF Global, has spent his entire career in higher education, focusing on serving the needs of students and promoting opportunity, access and inclusion. Pam, a retired 5th grade teacher, now supervises student teaching interns in Seminole County and Orange County, many of whom are earning their degrees via the DirectConnect to UCF program.

"We have always supported the institutions where I have worked, as well as where we attended," Dr. Jones says. "This planned gift — our first — will ensure that students are helped for the long run."