Foundation gifts Hamilton’s Mohawk College $1 million

A family foundation in Hamilton has gifted Mohawk College $1 million for its Centre for Professional Development (CPA).

To acknowledge the gift, the college has changed the name of the centre to the Marinucci Family Centre for Professional Advancement.

“At the Marinucci Family Foundation, we believe that education lights the path to success, which is why we’re thrilled to support Mohawk College’s Centre for Professional Advancement,” said John Marinucci and Sarah Vienot of the Marinucci Family Foundation. “Their innovative approach to develop and deliver tailored curriculum and training programs for industry partners resonates deeply with us, and we’re excited to help them transform the way we educate and reskill our workforces in an ever-changing world.”

The Centre for Professional Advancement offers employer-sponsored scalable, sustainable, and customized educational offerings that empower workforce development across multiple industries around the world. The donation will help to create new education and employment opportunities over the next five years, as well as aiding employers with their recruitment and retention efforts, noted Mohawk President Paul Armstrong.

“We have the right model and the right high-performing team at the centre to help change workers’ lives and improve communities,” Armstrong said. “Through this gift and the support of champions like The Marinucci Family Foundation, CPA programs will provide even greater benefit to workers and employers across Canada.”

Over the past two years, the CPA has developed 18 customized programs and courses for employers to address their workforce challenges, enrolling nearly 2,500 students in 56 deliveries across three provinces and internationally.

“I am deeply touched by the generosity of the Marinucci family,” said Larisa Volman, Associate Dean of newly re-named Marinucci Family Centre for Professional Advancement. “This gift will accelerate our success in leading workforce transformation and position the Centre to make a measurable impact through innovative educational and training solutions.”

The Marinucci Family Foundation has been a strong supporter of Mohawk College for more than 15 years, committing $500,000 to the Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation and $250,000 in support of applied research at the college.

John Marinucci served on the college’s Board of Governors (including a stint as Chair) from 2009 to 2015 and was recognized as a Distinguished Fellow in 2023.