ESL and MCC Present Work Scholarships to Four Students
Program aims to create pathway to careers, strengthen student opportunities, and reduce financial education costs.
Rochester, NY — ESL Federal Credit Union and Monroe Community College announced its second class of ESL/MCC Scholars at a ceremony held at ESL’s headquarters on Chestnut Street in Rochester. The four students selected for this program are:
- Sincere Alston
- Georgia Bardusch
- Leanna Barnes
- Mahjari Hutchinson
Students are offered a part-time, paid position at ESL’s corporate headquarters, or at a local branch, and a $1,000 scholarship for each semester they participate (up to $2,000). Students will have the opportunity to meet with and work in other departments at the company to further their professional experience.
Benefits to ESL/MCC Scholars also include professional skill development opportunities, mentoring, and exposure to a variety of career paths. Through this collaboration, MCC students also have the option to obtain academic credit for their work experience.
“This continued partnership with Monroe Community College further enhances our commitment to developing, promoting, and retaining a talented, diverse workforce at ESL,” said Maureen Wolfe, Senior VP/Director, Human Resource & Community Impact. “Students have the opportunity to further their education and career experiences, with financial assistance, while completing their academic degrees.” [disclosure: Wolfe is a board member for the MCC Foundation]
The long-term goal of the program is to retain the students upon graduation from MCC through either full-time employment at ESL, or as they work part-time while pursuing their bachelor’s degrees at a local institution (with assistance from ESL’s tuition reimbursement program). The program also supports an ESL initiative to recognize and value diversity and inclusion within the workforce, with many students of the program coming from underrepresented backgrounds.
According to MCC Provost and Vice President of Academic Services Andrea Wade, ESL Federal Credit Union’s generous investment in the ESL/MCC Scholars program prepares MCC students to succeed in the workplace. “ESL has opened an exclusive door of opportunity for our students to apply what they’ve learned at MCC to the fields of banking and finance. Because many MCC graduates continue to live and learn locally, the rewards of ESL’s investment in student success will be felt throughout our community. MCC is grateful for ESL’s partnership and support.”
