Jeff Koppel Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Jeff Koppel Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 2021 to honor the life and important contributions Jeff Koppel made to the Head Start community.  

The Jeff Koppel Memorial Scholarship is be awarded to former Head Start students with an outstanding high school record who are enrolling in post-secondary education. Jeff’s widow, Sharon Koppel, also a former Head Start Director, said, “Jeff knew that Head Start years had to be followed by regular education, and then, post high school, if long-term life impact was to occur.”

Jeff began his Head Start career as Head Start Director at Huntingdon County Child and Adult Development Corp. He moved on to serve as Director of Early Childhood Services at the Berks County Intermediate Unit, and, then, under various contractors, Jeff provided management training and technical assistance for Head Start and Early Head Start Programs in Pennsylvania, Region III, and Federally.

Before his death on January 12, 2020, Jeff’s reputation as a friendly helper and advice-giver, fierce Head Start advocate, and always-available shoulder for Head Start Directors, staff, and Boards to lean on was well-established. His wit, breadth of Head Start knowledge, and strategic thinking helped Head Start programs everywhere be the best they could be. He is warmly remembered by all of us.

 The Jeff Koppel Memorial Head Start  Scholarship Fund honors the life and valuable contributions Jeff Koppel made to the Head Start community. The first scholarship awards were given in the Spring of 2021.Over the last four years, the Fund has awarded nine scholarships totaling $22,000 to Pennsylvania Head Start alumni. As Sharon Koppel, Jeff’s wife and best friend says to the scholarship recipients, “It matters the kind of person you become. Jeff lived a life that mattered. With this scholarship we hope we can pass on a bit of Jeff’s spirit and legacy to you.” In 2024 the final three recipients were awarded the scholarship.