ESL Presents Work Scholarships to Three MCC 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 are pleased to announce their seventh class of ESL/MCC Scholars, an earn-and-learn program to prepare students for a career in banking and finance. Students were recently welcomed to the ESL team at a scholars’ luncheon at ESL headquarters in downtown Rochester. The three students selected for this program are:
- Leonardo Nunez
- Nasmere Johnson
- Sujan Dhakal
Students are offered a part-time, paid position at one of 24 local ESL branches and a $1,000 scholarship for each semester they participate. 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 within the banking and finance industry. Through this collaboration, MCC students also have the option to obtain academic credit for their work experience.
“The ESL/MCC Scholars Program provides an extraordinary opportunity to participating students in both their educational and professional journey,” said Maureen Wolfe, executive vice president/director, human resources and community impact, ESL Federal Credit Union. “As we welcome the sixth class of scholars, we celebrate their accomplishments thus far and the partnership with MCC that allows us to live our Purpose to help our community thrive and prosper.”
“The ESL/MCC Scholars Program continues to be not only a remarkable opportunity for our students, but a wonderful example of a successful earn to learn program in our region,” said Gretchen Wood, Vice President, Institutional Advancement, Monroe Community College and Executive Director, MCC Foundation. “MCC is grateful for ESL’s commitment to investing in our students, our region’s workforce of tomorrow.”
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 college or university (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.