Alumni, parents, and families providing opportunity 

The Zankel Experience Network (ZEN) was established in 2020 by trustee Jimmy Zankel ’92 and Pia Scala-Zankel ’92 to build on and encourage the support of like-minded donors who hope to expand Skidmore’s commitment to experiential learning, including:

• The Summer Experience Fund
• SEE-Beyond Awards
• Faculty-Student Summer Research
• ZEN Alumni Mentoring Program

CrEATIVE waYS TO gIVE

Various giving opportunities and levels are available, with every gift helping ensure more students have the chance to experience a powerful sense of discovery through doing. Examples of ZEN giving opportunities include: 

• Endowing an annual summer internship or experiential opportunity
• Contributing annually through the Skidmore Fund to support summer career-building experiences 
• Making a multiyear commitment to fund new or ongoing faculty-student collaborative research, SEE Beyond awards, or Summer Experience Fund stipends

Support through mentorship 

Based in Skidmore’s Career Development Center (CDC), the ZEN Mentoring Program matches Skidmore students at the start of their junior year with recent Skidmore alumni who have similar career interests. Student-mentor pairs meet (virtually or in person) throughout the academic year, with a focus on helping the students achieve their career goals. 

Real Impact