Duanesburg Central School District senior Jeffrey Mulhern is the recipient of the 2025 Regent Eleanor Powell Bartlett Scholarship from the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Jeffrey is a student at Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education Center in Schoharie where he studies Heavy Equipment Repair and Operation (HERO). Mulhern was presented the scholarship on May 6 at a New York State Board of Regents meeting in Albany.
The scholarship recognizes the important role that Career and Technical Education (CTE) plays in preparing New York state students for meaningful careers and lifelong success. David Frank, Assistant Commissioner for Education Policy at the New York State Education Department said that former Regent Eleanor Powell Bartlett’s generous donation allows NYSED to recognize students who excel in the CTE program and exemplify exceptional skill, initiative, and commitment in their chosen pathway.
“If you’ve ever met Jeff, you know that he is incredibly passionate and intense about the things that bring him joy, including basketball and his program studies at CTE,” Duanesburg High School Principal Jodi Marvin said. “He has excelled in both areas bringing the same level of determination and focus to his academic pursuits as he does on the basketball court. High school is where students should be exploring different career paths, and Jeff has truly embraced that opportunity—demonstrating true talent, strong work ethic, and dedication to his future.”
Mulhern’s award marks the second time within the last three years that a Duanesburg student attending Capital Region BOCES has received the honor. In 2023, Heavy Equipment graduate Tyler Drexel received the same accolade.
An aspiring hardscaping business owner, Mulhern attended the HERO program at Capital Region BOCES to gain the skills, knowledge and certifications necessary to operate heavy equipment.
Mulhern is undecided on which college he will attend, but he is learning towards pursuing a construction management degree at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
In the meantime, the 18-year-old has already started his own landscaping business, Mulherns, and said he plans to continue to “work, work, work to build myself and my skills.”
Capital Region BOCES faculty, staff and administration praised the motivated scholar.
“Jeff demonstrates the personal skills of integrity, work ethic, professionalism and responsibility that we all seek in a student, a worker and a citizen. He is responsible, flexible and self-motivated,” said Director of Career and Technical Education Jeff Palmer.
In nominating the Duanesburg student, Capital Region BOCES Managing Program Coordinator-Business & Community Partnerships Nancy Liddle said, “Jeffrey exemplifies the academic and technical skills that we strive for at CTE!”
Mulhern credits BOCES with fine-tuning his skills and drive. “BOCES provides you with an environment like a work schedule. You show up on time, have a task to do every single day, and you get that task done. It’s comforting being in a setting where everyone is really driven. That encourages you to be hard-working and be a better person,” he said.
