Atlantic City Electric, a unit of Exelon Corp. that provides power to more than 556,000 customers in South Jersey, provided $75,000 in grants to three local community colleges to support scholarships for local youth to become the next generation of the energy workforce.
The funding builds on $50,000 provided as part of Atlantic City Electric’s Community Scholars Program during the 2020-2021 academic year to support students across its service area struggling to continue their education due to the impacts of the pandemic.
“We hope this funding helps open the door to educational opportunities that all too often are just a dream for many young people within our communities,” said Rodney Oddoye, senior vice president of governmental, external and regulatory affairs for Pepco Holdings, which includes Atlantic City Electric. “Through our partnerships with local community colleges to our transformational workforce development programs like our partnership with Jingoli Power, we are not only expanding the possibilities for our youth, we are building the talent pool for the future energy workforce.”
Atlantic Cape Community College, Camden County Community College and Rowan College of South Jersey all received funding. Additionally, as part of a partnership with the United Negro College Fund, Exelon and the Exelon Foundation provided $2.4 million in scholarships to 24 college freshmen attending historic black colleges and universities as part of its HBCU Corporate Scholars Program launched in fall 2021. Newark resident Bernice Hightower will receive up to $100,000 in need-based aid over her four years of schooling at Howard University.
“We appreciate the wonderful partnership with UNCF and the opportunity to further the support and relationship with our HBCUs to provide greater and more meaningful impact to local students who are building their knowledge and preparing themselves to become the future energy workforce,” Oddoye added.
