NY Judge Launches LGBTQ+ Scholarship Amid Career Transition

ROCKLAND COUNTY, N.Y. – March 06, 2026 – New York State Supreme Court Justice Sherri Eisenpress has announced the creation of a new $1,000 annual scholarship aimed at fostering the next generation of LGBTQ+ leaders. The Sherri Eisenpress Scholarship for LGBTQ+ Students will recognize an undergraduate who demonstrates academic excellence, leadership, and a sustained commitment to advancing equality.

The initiative arrives at a pivotal moment in the justice’s long career. It seeks to build a new legacy of philanthropy, extending her decades of work on the bench and in community organizations into the educational sphere. The scholarship is designed to provide direct financial support to students who are actively working to build more equitable and durable institutions for the LGBTQ+ community.

From the Bench to Benefactor

Justice Eisenpress’s career in the New York State Unified Court System has been extensive. Before her current role on the Supreme Court, she served as a Family Court Judge from 2012 to 2022 and as an Acting Supreme Court Justice in Rockland County. Her tenure involved presiding over thousands of complex civil cases and leading specialized courts, including the Integrated Domestic Violence Court and the Family Drug Treatment Court, which integrate social services with judicial oversight.

Beyond the courtroom, Eisenpress has been a prominent figure in local LGBTQ+ advocacy. She served for eight years on the Board of Directors of the Rockland County Pride Center, including a term as Chairperson. During her leadership, the center saw significant organizational growth and an expansion of programs supporting LGBTQ+ youth and their families. This new scholarship is presented as a continuation of that work, investing directly in emerging leaders.

However, the scholarship's launch coincides with a significant transition for the justice. Eisenpress is slated to step down from the bench effective April 28, 2026. Her resignation follows an ethics investigation by the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct initiated in August 2025. The inquiry centered on allegations that she presided over numerous cases involving attorneys with whom she had close personal relationships without disclosure or recusal, and oversaw cases involving the law firm of her law clerk’s spouse. According to public records, Eisenpress agreed to resign and pledged not to seek future judicial office; the agreement stipulated no formal finding or admission of misconduct.

Empowering Tomorrow's Advocates

The Sherri Eisenpress Scholarship for LGBTQ+ Students is positioned to look forward, focusing on the potential of young advocates. The award is open to any currently enrolled undergraduate student in the United States who identifies as LGBTQ+ or can demonstrate a history of meaningful leadership in support of LGBTQ+ equality.

Central to the application is a required 750 to 1,000-word essay that asks applicants to reflect on a critical question: “How can education, leadership, and community engagement advance equity and long-term institutional growth for LGBTQ+ individuals, and how do you envision contributing to that future?”

This prompt moves beyond simple academic achievement, challenging applicants to articulate a vision for social change and their role within it. The scholarship committee will be looking for students who not only have a track record of advocacy but also a thoughtful and strategic understanding of how to build stronger, more inclusive communities. The application deadline for the inaugural award is November 15, 2026, with the recipient set to be announced one month later. The $1,000 award can be used for tuition, books, or other educational expenses.

Addressing a Critical Need in Higher Education

This new scholarship enters a philanthropic landscape where such targeted support is increasingly vital. LGBTQ+ students often face a unique set of obstacles in pursuing higher education. Studies have shown they are more likely to experience financial instability, sometimes stemming from a lack of family support after coming out. This makes scholarships—even relatively modest ones—a crucial lifeline that can alleviate the pressure of tuition and living costs.

While the $1,000 award from the Eisenpress scholarship is smaller than grants from major national organizations like the Point Foundation, which can offer multi-year support and mentorship, it contributes to a vital ecosystem of aid. The landscape for LGBTQ+ support is also shifting due to political pressures. As some states pass anti-DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) legislation, the ability of public universities to offer identity-based scholarships is being curtailed, placing a greater emphasis on private and non-profit initiatives.

Beyond financial aid, scholarships specifically for LGBTQ+ students provide validation and recognition. They signal to young leaders that their advocacy is seen and valued, fostering a sense of belonging and encouraging them to continue their work. By focusing on leadership, the Sherri Eisenpress Scholarship aims to do more than just help a student pay for books; it aims to invest in a future leader who can multiply that investment through their community impact.

A Legacy in Youth Justice

Justice Eisenpress's focus on youth development is a consistent theme connecting her judicial past to her philanthropic future. One of the most significant aspects of her career was her role as Rockland County’s designated Youth Part Judge during the implementation of New York’s landmark “Raise the Age” legislation.

Enacted in 2017, the law ended the automatic prosecution of 16- and 17-year-olds as adults. As the judge presiding over the newly created Youth Part, Eisenpress was instrumental in translating this sweeping legislative reform into consistent local practice. Her work helped ensure that adolescent cases were handled with a focus on rehabilitation over punishment, directing young people toward Family Court and age-appropriate services rather than the adult criminal justice system.

Data shows the legislation has had a profound impact. In the years following its passage, arrests of 16- and 17-year-olds plummeted, and studies indicate the share of violent crimes committed by those under 18 has generally decreased in New York City. By championing a system focused on youth development, Eisenpress helped shape a more rehabilitative approach to juvenile justice in her county. This new scholarship can be seen as an extension of that same principle: identifying potential in young people and providing the resources and recognition to help them succeed.