PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (Jan. 29, 2026) – The Foundation for Palm Beach State College has announced a new partnership with the TeamWork Education Foundation that will provide $200,000 in scholarships over the next two years to students pursuing Associate in Science degrees on the Palm Beach Gardens campus.
The initiative will support a cohort of TeamWork Scholarship recipients with financial assistance, academic coaching, tutoring, and career counseling designed to prepare them for workforce success or continued education.
Over the past 13 years, TeamWork has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to students across Palm Beach County. “PBSC is a tremendous resource in the community and this new partnership helps build a stronger local talent pipeline for the county’s growing workforce,” said Teamwork Education Foundation President Patti Lehrhoff. “Our foundation has allied ourselves with one of the crown jewels of Palm Beach County.”
Andria Cunningham, vice president of advancement at Palm Beach State and CEO of the Foundation for Palm Beach State College, said the collaboration extends beyond traditional financial aid. “We are grateful for TeamWork Education’s support of our students, not just through scholarships but through mentorships,” Cunningham said. “The support they provide ensures our students are prepared for a successful transition into the world of work.”
For biotechnology student Mike Chaprone, originally from Haiti, the scholarship has been life-changing. “I work full-time overnight security at a hospital, then go straight to class,” Chaprone said. “The scholarship eased a huge financial burden and allows me to focus on finishing my degree and pursuing genetics research.”
Amanda Shenkman, 24, also studying biotechnology, said the scholarship keeps her goal within reach. “After I graduate, I hope to work in a lab,” Shenkman said. “This support means I can keep going and build a career I’m passionate about.”
Electrical power technology student Jacob Delgado said the program helped him find direction. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I started college,” Delgado said. “Now I want to work in instrumentation and control—maybe on power turbines.”
For Tulita Dacosta, 22, the first in her family to attend college, the scholarship opened doors she never thought possible. “I always dreamed of building engines for cars,” Dacosta said. “I’m working at Publix while going to school, and this scholarship is everything to me because it means I can finish my education and hopefully realize my dream.”
Since its founding, TeamWork Education Foundation has supported more than $1 million in scholarships for Palm Beach County students. Its mission is to help students achieve their educational goals while strengthening the region’s workforce.
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In the first photo attached to the press release/story from left to right: PBSC student and scholarship recipient Jacob Delgado, TeamWork Education Foundation President Patti Lehrhoff, PBSC student and scholarship recipient Amada Shenkman and TeamWork Education Foundation Vice-President John S. Kapelewski
photo 2: Andria Cunningham PBSC Vice President, Institutional Advancement and CEO, Foundation for PBSC, TeamWork Education Foundation Vice-President John S. Kapelewski, TeamWork Education Foundation President Patti Lehrhoff and Dr. Stephen Joyner Provost and Dean PBSC Palm Beach Gardens campus
Media Contact:
Kerry Capell, Director of Communications
Palm Beach State College
561-679-2849 (mobile)
About Palm Beach State College
Founded in 1933 as Florida’s first public community college, Palm Beach State College has been an integral player in the growth and prosperity of Palm Beach County. Our graduates impact every industry and are community and business leaders. With 160 different programs of study, PBSC offers bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, professional certificates, career training and lifelong learning. More than 40,000 students enroll annually in onsite, online, live online and hybrid classes at five convenient locations in Belle Glade, Boca Raton, Lake Worth, Loxahatchee Groves and Palm Beach Gardens, and through PBSC Online. Learn more at www.pbsc.edu.