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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

Meet the Founder: Jimmy Zankel ’92

Over the course of more than three decades, Jimmy Zankel, president of the Zankel Scala Family Foundation and the Zankel Music Fund, has amassed a colorful career in media, communications, food, and philanthropy, including music news production (VH1/Viacom); instructional cooking series production (Food Network/Scripps); cause-related marketing (Cone/Omnicom); and professional cooking (Union Square Cafe).

Bringing 20 years of nonprofit board and foundation management experience to his philanthropic work, Zankel is a two-term trustee of his alma mater, Skidmore College, where he co-chairs the Advancement Committee; vice chair of WhyHunger, a global food justice organization, and chair of its Trusteeship Committee; a member of the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts Academy Advisory Board; former secretary of the board of the Big Apple Circus; and chairman emeritus of Carnegie Hall’s Notables program.

An avid guitar player, cook, concert-goer, and record collector, Jimmy resides in Brooklyn with his wife and two teenage children. He is currently writing his memoir.

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