Ten WCC Students Transition to Prestigious Universities with $50,000 Scholarships in WCC/The PepsiCo Foundation Partnership
Ten students from Westchester Community College (WCC) have been selected to receive a S.M.I.L.E. Scholarship from PepsiCo and its philanthropic arm, The PepsiCo Foundation. This new scholarship is part of PepsiCo’s $40 million Community College Program – established to address the issue of minority under representation in high-demand fields.
The PepsiCo Foundation’s community college program includes two types of scholarships – Uplift Scholarships for students seeking two-year associate degrees or trade certificates and S.M.I.L.E (Success Matters in Life & Education) scholarships for community college graduates transitioning to four-year colleges. Of the 13 community college selected to partner with The PepsiCo Foundation on this vital initiative, Westchester Community College is one of only three community colleges to partner with the organization for both opportunities specifically for Black and Hispanic students.
Over five years, The PepsiCo Foundation S.M.I.L.E. Scholarship (Success Matters in Life & Education) will award two-year scholarships of up to $25,000 per year ($50,000 total) to Black and Hispanic WCC students. Each scholar will also be assigned a professional mentor from PepsiCo to provide guidance and support along their educational journey, and financial literacy courses. To qualify, students must be transitioning to complete their Bachelor’s degree in a business or STEM field in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited four-year college or university in the U.S. PepsiCo recently announced the first 10 WCC 2021 graduates to be selected as S.M.I.L.E. Scholarship recipients. The scholars and their current schools are:
- Juliette Pacheco – Lehman College
- Thabo Ngwenya – Columbia University
- Aniya Matthews – Binghamton University
- James Gibbs – Fordham University
- Sarah Murdock – Binghamton University
- Susan Sanchez – SUNY Polytechnic
- Hugo Bravo – Baruch College
- Tiffany Patton – Baruch College
- Pamela Morales – Baruch College
- Jorge Zhiminaicela – SUNY Polytechnic
To learn more about this opportunity, please visit: https://www.sunywcc.edu/admissions/scholarships/pepsico-foundation-smile/
”The S.M.I.L.E. Scholarship reflects a shared commitment to diversity and access by Westchester Community College and PepsiCo,” said Dr. Belinda S. Miles, President of Westchester Community College. “This generous scholarship provides our students with a life-changing opportunity to pursue their goals and reach their full potential. The students selected for this meaningful scholarship have distinguished themselves through their perseverance and accomplishments, and are illustrative of the thousands of students who begin their higher education journey at WCC before advancing to four-year institutions and high-demand careers.”
“Black and Hispanic students are facing an unprecedented educational crisis as enrollment rates continue to decline and dropout rates increase, often because of financial needs outside of tuition. Students need more than scholarships – they need support to stay in school, finish their degrees and access the job market,” said C.D. Glin, Global Head of Philanthropy, PepsiCo & Vice President, The PepsiCo Foundation. “We launched this program to help students address the most critical barriers to their education and economic success, and we’re proud to announce today that we’re bringing more students in and helping them on their academic journey.”
About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $70 billion in net revenue in 2020, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker, Tropicana, and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 23 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales. Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Convenient Foods and Beverages by Winning with Purpose. “Winning with Purpose” reflects our ambition to win sustainably in the marketplace and embed purpose into all aspects of our business strategy and brands. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.
About The PepsiCo Foundation
Established in 1962, The PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of PepsiCo, invests in the essential elements of a sustainable food system with a mission to support thriving communities. Working with non-profits and experts around the globe, we’re focused on helping communities obtain access to food security, safe water and economic opportunity. We strive for tangible impact in the places where we live and work—collaborating with industry peers, local and international organizations, and our employees to affect large-scale change on the issues that matter to us and are of global importance. Learn more at www.pepsico.com/sustainability/philanthropy.
About Westchester Community College
Westchester Community College provides over 31,000 full-time and part-time students with an education taught by award-winning faculty at one of the most affordable tuition rates in New York State. WCC offers more than 60 degree and certificate programs, including innovative programs in such high-demand fields as cybersecurity, health information technology, respiratory therapy, and digital filmmaking. The college reflects the rich diversity of its region and was the first SUNY campus to be designated a Hispanic Serving Institution.
Westchester Community College Foundation
Since its founding in 1969, Westchester Community College Foundation (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization) has raised funds to meet college and student needs not covered by public funds, distributing over $2 million in scholarships annually. Through its fundraising and programmatic activities, the Foundation supports the college’s efforts to provide access to quality education and skills for success.
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