Yardi Systems Makes Significant Investment to Expand First‑Generation Scholars Program for SBU Students

Anant Yardi, founder and CEO of Yardi Systems, deliverde the keynote address at the Stony Brook University College of Business 2025 Convocation ceremony.

Enhanced cohort model will offer dedicated programming focused on community building, collaboration and personal growth

Yardi Systems has announced a new, generous partnership with Stony Brook University to establish the Yardi Expanded Cohort Scholars Program, a four-year initiative that will support 100 first-generation students through scholarships, coordinated programming and professional development opportunities.

The program will begin by welcoming a cohort of 25 first-generation students majoring in business-related fields within the College of Business. Scholars will participate in a structured four-year development track and have the opportunity to live together in a residential community during their first year. The program will include a dedicated coordinator who will serve as the primary point of contact for scholars, oversee day-to-day operations and act as a liaison between Yardi and Stony Brook.

The Yardi Scholars Cohort Program will launch with its first group of students in Fall 2026.

Each student will also receive a renewable scholarship of up to $10,000 annually that helps offset the cost of attendance and reduces financial barriers that often limit students' ability to fully engage in campus life. These awards are designed to ensure that students can focus on their academic and professional development while taking full advantage of the program's opportunities.

"I am so grateful for Yardi Systems' visionary investment in our first-generation students through the Yardi Expanded Cohort Scholars program," said Stony Brook University President Andrea Goldsmith. "This transformative program will reduce the financial barriers for their education while also providing unique experiences for them inside and outside the classroom that build a strong foundation for their future personal and professional success. Yardi Systems has been a steadfast partner to Stony Brook, and this new chapter deepens our shared commitment to ensuring that every Stony Brook student has the support and resources to succeed in their studies and in their professional journey when they leave this magical university."

Through its signature programming, the Yardi Business Futures Leadership Academy, scholars will participate in a series of workshops, field experiences and mentorship opportunities designed to help them graduate on time and enter careers that inspire them. The curriculum emphasizes leadership development, communication skills and hands-on exposure to the business world, ensuring that students build both confidence and practical experience. Each year of the program focuses on targeted areas such as résumé development, internship readiness, networking, graduate school exploration and career planning. This structured progression allows scholars to build momentum year after year, culminating in a senior-year launch phase that supports their transition into the workforce or advanced study.

Beyond the structured academic progression, the program incorporates a variety of experiences and support resources that help scholars thrive both inside and outside the classroom. Yardi's investment will enable enhanced coordination among campus partners, ensuring that scholars receive consistent guidance across academic advising, career services and student support offices. Key elements of the program include global business experiences, New York City cultural excursions, leadership events and the Business Success Academy, an early-arrival program held before Stony Brook's Welcome Week that helps students transition from high school to university life. This integrated approach reflects Yardi's belief that graduating from college is a powerful pathway to meaningful and financially stable careers, and that first-generation students thrive when they have a strong community and the support to navigate their journey to success.

"First-generation students face unique challenges in pursuing a college education, and the additional support and mentoring this partnership brings can make all the difference as students find their place at Stony Brook," said Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Carl W. Lejuez. "Stony Brook is committed to supporting the first-generation students, who make up approximately 40 percent of our undergraduate student body. Partnerships and programs like the Yardi Scholars Cohort Program provide such deep and meaningful support for these students, and I am grateful for their continued commitment to helping Stony Brook remain an engine of social mobility and help these hardworking, talented students achieve their dreams."

Yardi Scholarship inaugural recipients Tajeira Thomas and Salvatore Ippolito (center) with Yardi regional recruiters Ashley Salmon (left) and Spencer Bryant (right). Photo by Conor Harrigan.

Yardi first partnered with Stony Brookin 2023 to establish the Yardi Scholars program, providing scholarships and targeted support for first-generation students in the College of Business. The initial investment created a strong foundation of academic guidance, mentorship and early exposure to business careers, and quickly demonstrated how coordinated support can help students build confidence and achieve success. The effectiveness of the 2023 program helped shape the expanded cohort model announced today.

Yardi's partnership with Stony Brook reflects a long-standing commitment to expanding opportunities for first-generation students. Across the United States and Canada, the company collaborates with universities to strengthen academic success and support students as they work toward graduation, with Stony Brook being among a select group of these institutions offering Yardi's expanded cohort model. Through this approach, Yardi helps ensure that students have the guidance, mentorship and professional preparation needed to thrive throughout their college experience and beyond.

"We believe in the transformative power of education," shared Anant Yardi, chairman and founder of Yardi Systems. "We are excited to expand our partnership with Stony Brook University's College of Business and establish a Yardi Scholars Cohort Program here for first generation students. We hope that this will allow these scholars to attend, persist, and graduate."

Yardi Systems develops property management software for real estate companies around the world. The software includes accounting, operations and ancillary services for both residential and commercial portfolios. In the 2025-2026 academic year, Yardi partnered with 29 universities, including Stony Brook, across the United States and Canada to provide scholarships to first-generation students. There are currently more than 300 Yardi scholars across North America.

In addition, Yardi has cohort model programs in seven universities across the United States, including Stony Brook. Yardi's motto is to "take care of our clients, take care of our employees, take care of our communities, stay focused and grow." Yardi wants to provide students with opportunities and support focused on helping them succeed during their time at the university, graduate and have careers that excite them.