Five MCC Students Awarded ESL Work Scholarships
February 11, 2021
Program aims to create pathway to careers, strengthen student opportunities, and reduce educational costs.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – ESL Federal Credit Union and Monroe Community College are pleased to announce the fourth class of ESL/MCC Scholars, an earn-and-learn program to prepare students for a career in banking and finance. The five students selected for the program — and recently welcomed to the ESL team at a virtual luncheon — are:
2021 ESL/MCC Scholars participants
- Miranda Albarran
- Hunter Clancy
- Jamelia Edwards
- Anajah Jackson
- Clifford Smith
Students are offered a part-time, paid position in one of ESL’s 22 local branches and a $1,000 scholarship for each semester they participate (up to $2,000). Students will have an 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.
“As an employer committed to helping our community thrive and prosper, we reaffirm our commitment to developing, promoting and retaining a talented, diverse workforce at ESL, and investing in education for emerging leaders in our community,” said Maureen Wolfe, senior vice president/director, human resource and community impact. “We are excited to welcome our fourth class of students through the ESL/MCC Scholars program, and sincerely appreciate our continued partnership with Monroe Community College in providing MCC students a career pathway to banking.” Wolfe also serves as 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 priority given to students from underrepresented backgrounds.
“My congratulations go to the five new ESL/MCC Scholars,” said Todd Oldham, Ed.D., vice president of Economic and Workforce Development and Career Technical Education at MCC. “Through this program, students gain a full range of valuable career-development opportunities and real-world experiences that will build a strong foundation for success in the financial services industry. Applied learning is practically a necessity for job seekers in any field these days and may even be a pathway to higher salaries. We are grateful for ESL Federal Credit Union’s investment in our talented students.”
Additional information about the ESL/MCC Scholars program can be found at esl.org/2021MCCScholars.