Sodexo Launches $10M Scholarship Program Administered by UNCF for its U.S. Frontline Employees and Their Dependents to Attend HBCUs
Gaithersburg, Md – Feb. 23, 2021 – Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company, is pleased to announce a $10 million scholarship initiative for its U.S. frontline employees and their dependents. The program—administered by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF)—is for students to attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) that are partners with Sodexo or UNCF.
Starting today, eligible frontline employees and their dependents can apply for scholarships and receive up to $12,000 for tuition, books and other educational expenses. Scholarships will be awarded based on financial need and merit and dispersed directly to each student’s college or university this fall. UNCF will oversee the program and administer the scholarship funding. The program runs through 2030.
“We are excited to launch this program with UNCF and our HBCU partners,” said Sarosh Mistry, Region Chair, Sodexo North America. “It will give more than 85,000 Sodexo frontline employees and their families access to funding to pursue their educational goals at the prestigious and iconic institutions where our teams proudly serve.”
“Sodexo’s commitment to our HBCUs and the students they serve is outstanding, and we thank them for this new gift,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, President and CEO, UNCF. “Diversity across all sectors of the U.S. economy is important, and our member institutions, along with all other HBCUs, add a significant boost to the annual American economic landscape—delivering a $14.8 billion impact each year. Ensuring that more students of color can attend our HBCUs and earn their degrees—while at the same time helping them bring vital economic impact for their communities, regions and states—brings a win-win for everyone involved. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Sodexo, and hope others like them will join us as well.”
Participating HBCU partner organizations for the 2021-2022 academic year include:
- Alcorn State University
- Bethune Cookman University
- Central State University
- Claflin University
- Clark Atlanta University
- Dillard University
- Edward Waters College
- Fisk University
- Fort Valley State University
- Gadsden State Community College
- Grambling State University
- Howard University
- Jackson State University
- Kentucky State University
- Langston University
- Lincoln University
- Morgan State University
- North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University
- North Carolina Central University
- Prairie View A&M University
- Shaw University
- South Carolina State University
- Texas Southern University
- Wiley College
- Xavier University of Louisiana
Sodexo’s longstanding commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion has been consistently recognized by external organizations and notable diversity publications. Globally, Sodexo has been named to Bloomberg's 2020 Gender-Equality Index and FORTUNE'S 2020 list of the World's Most Admired Companies.
For more information on the new scholarship program or to apply, please visit the UNCF Scholarships website.
About UNCF
UNCF is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically Black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding nearly 20% of African American baccalaureate degrees. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”® Learn more at UNCF.org, or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF.
Former HBCU students are now Sodexo employees.