ABOUT US
The Last Shall Be First Scholarships is an organization that is close to its founders’ hearts. Daniel and Irma O’Connor believe in the two Great Commandments. The first is to love God with all your heart, and the second is to love your neighbor as you would yourself. They have been supporting students to break the cycle of poverty since 2005. They have provided scholarships for young people in Peru to earn technical degrees and life-long skills that transform their lives. In 2022, they formed this foundation to expand the program to reach more deserving young people. Dan and Irma have been blessed in many ways, and they would like to invite you to join them in reaching and transforming the lives of impoverished students.
The Founders
The Last Shall Be First Scholarships, Inc. was founded in 2022 by Daniel and Irma O’Connor. The O’Connors have a strong connection with Peru as Irma hails from the Central Andes Mountains and Dan lived and worked in Peru for some years.
Daniel O’Connor serves as the organization’s president and has over three decades of experience working with various correctional facilities, youth organizations, and charitable institutions. He has held various positions such as Senior Counselor, Director of Operations, and Executive Director. Daniel, also known as Dan to his friends and family, has degrees in Sociology and Latin American Studies from St. John Fisher University in Rochester, NY, and a Master of Public Administration from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York.
Daniel is joined in this endeavor by his wife, Irma O’Connor, who serves as the organization’s vice president. Irma hails from the Central Andes Mountains of Peru and came to the USA on a scholarship to study Sociology and Social Work at Daemen College in Buffalo, New York. She also acquired a Master of Education from the University of Buffalo. Irma has over two decades of experience in the education sector. Both Irma and Dan know the power of education and are determined to assist as many young people as possible throughout Peru in transforming their lives.
Board Members
The organization has talented board members who bring their diverse experiences to the organization to enrich its operations and vision for the future.
Lourdes Roa is a retired Professional Development Specialist and Educator. Currently, Lourdes is dedicated to supporting the well-being of others through teaching yoga.
Lourdes Roa
Jermaine Stukes has over 18 years of experience as a Software Engineer at Paychex in Rochester, NY. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from SUNY Brockport.
Jermaine Stukes
Anna Stukes is a Professional Development Specialist. She is a Certified ESOL and Spanish Language Teacher and has a Master of Education from the University of Rochester, NY.
Anna Stukes
Mary O’Connor is a mathematics educator with over 15 years of teaching experience in Asia, Africa, Middle East, U.S. and Kazakhstan. She has a Master of Education from SUNY Brockport, NY.
Mary O’Connor
Patrick O’Connor holds a Master of Education from New York University and is a certified 6-12 Science Teacher. He has taught in Asia, Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and the USA.
