J. Tracy Hermann Scholarship Fund
The J. Tracy Hermann Scholarship was created to provide financial support to individuals pursuing higher education, particularly those who display leadership toward LGBTQ+ equality.
The scholarship is named in memory of J. Tracy Hermann, a highly esteemed civic leader and former Executive Director of the Community Center who brought many communities together through his steadfast commitment to equality and justice for all.
Meet the 2026 Recipients
This year, thanks to the generosity of our donors, we’re proud to award seven scholarships, up from the five we’ve given in years past. Meet some of this year’s recipients.
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b is an undergraduate at Bard College studying Studio Arts and Environmental Studies. Mutual aid is at the heart of b’s work, from getting queer neighbors where they need to go to making sure they have groceries. b sees these “quiet everyday acts of care” as essential to community stability. The scholarship will go directly toward essential monthly living costs.
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Fox is a librarian at the Town of Esopus Library, and this scholarship supports their Master’s in Library Science. At the library, Fox runs a monthly open mic series, an LGBTQ+ kids group, and a showcase of music therapists. They’re also a YA author and a Girl Scout troop leader for gender diverse youth. “I intend to contribute to diversifying the field, using my trauma and equity-informed practices to positively impact library culture.”
@f.foxnorth
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Grace is a third-year medical student at Touro College, becoming a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, with plans to practice as an OBGYN focused on complex family planning, specifically abortion care. Her path started in high school as a volunteer with the Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Today she’s the campus rep for Medical Students for Choice, making sure medical students learn about family planning care, including abortion care. She also volunteers as a hotline counselor with Planned Parenthood’s Survivor Support Services for residents of greater New York, and this past summer began clinical rotations at WMC Health in Kingston.
“I want to learn everything I can about how to best serve my community of people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, so when I have my own patients, I can provide the best holistic and affirming care.”
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Mandie is pursuing a justice-centered Doctor of Ministry at Union Theological Seminary. When an equality bill came before the city council in Fairbanks, Alaska, Mandie helped the community see one another’s humanity.
“It was one of the clearest moments in my ministry where I understood that presence, relationship, and the willingness to occupy uncomfortable, even dangerous space between communities can accomplish what legislation and protest alone cannot.”
This November, Mandie is planning solidarity work with queer Palestinians in the West Bank.
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Olivia is an undergraduate at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY), studying Psychology and Philosophy. Her focus is global mental health under three political and economic systems: capitalism, communism, and socialism. As an unpaid intern, she coordinated a 10K donation of clothing, toiletries, and daily necessities for people reintegrating into society after incarceration.
“Over the long term, the support the scholarship offers will help prepare me for a career in international human rights with a focus on global mental health.”
Congratulations to all seven recipients.
We can’t wait to see what you do next.
About the Scholarship
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The Community Center offers $1,000 non-renewable scholarships to New York residents in the Mid-Hudson Valley, with a focus on Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Sullivan and Ulster Counties. Applicants from Putnam and Rockland Counties will also be considered.
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There is no age restriction. Scholarship funds may be used to support earning micro credentials, trade certifications and Associate, Bachelor or Graduate degrees. We welcome returning students, which we define as someone who started college but did not complete or someone who has little or no engagement with college and wishes to continue their education.
Two scholarships are reserved specifically for transgender applicants and those from oppressed populations who show need and/or service. While the Community Center certainly wants to share stories of success and impact, we recognize that each person is on their own journey in relation to their sexuality and/or gender identity and so does not require applicants to be “out” in whole or in part. GPA, while a factor, does not automatically qualify or disqualify an applicant. GPA will be considered holistically as part of each candidate’s application.
Other factors that will be considered include financial need or independence, community, high school or college campus involvement, foster care status and history with the child welfare system, and history of previous impact by the criminal justice system, specifically those who were formerly incarcerated and/or are children of those currently incarcerated.
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Applications for the [2027] scholarships will open in [month].
Candidates interested in applying must complete an online scholarship application form, which will take approximately 30 to 45 minutes to complete.
Current high school and college students must submit an unofficial copy of their current transcript. Applications are reviewed by the Scholarship Committee. Awards are announced in late July.
For Questions or To Support the Scholarship Fund
Those interested in financially supporting the J. Tracy Hermann Scholarship Fund or with questions can contact Juliet Brown, Director of Operations and Development, at juliet@lgbtqcenter.org.