Two College of Illinois Chicago engineering college students had been lately named ComEd Students and will probably be supplied scholarships to fill the schooling hole not lined by monetary assist.
The scholars, Chanel Hamilton and Aaron Tillery, make up the 2022 ComEd Students fourth cohort and are a part of the UIC CHANCE program’s STEM Academy.
Tillery is a second-year scholar from Chicago’s Washington Heights neighborhood who’s pursuing a level in laptop engineering, and Hamilton is a first-year scholar from suburban Nation Membership Hills who’s pursuing an engineering diploma.
Tillery mentioned he was extraordinarily grateful and honored to be one among ComEd’s new scholarship recipients. He mentioned he was grateful for “the entire wonderful leaders and workers” at UIC, CHANCE and ComEd.
“Since getting into school, I’ve been in a position to work tougher and get one step nearer to my dream of changing into a pc engineer. With the ability to construct expertise for the longer term and assist my metropolis is one thing that I attempt to realize,” Tillery mentioned. “With the assistance of ComEd and the CHANCE program, I’m on the trail to doing so. I’m blessed and enthusiastic about what the longer term holds.”
As a brand new school scholar and as a first-generation scholar, Hamilton mentioned she appreciated the assistance and monetary assist that CHANCE and ComEd have supplied her. The assist started for her when she was concerned in this system’s summer time engineering class.
“Not solely did I discover ways to do a number of the tougher points of engineering as an aspiring engineer, however I additionally discovered in regards to the open and inclusive surroundings at UIC,” Hamilton mentioned. “I used to be extraordinarily excited to use to UIC once I heard about this unbelievable alternative with ComEd as a result of I love the work that ComEd has carried out for the group. I’ll make CHANCE and ComEd proud.”
The ComEd Scholars program goals to put money into a various workforce, ComEd officers mentioned. Along with the UIC college students, two college students from the Illinois Institute of Know-how, often known as Illinois Tech, additionally had been recipients.
The ComEd Students program, in its fourth 12 months, offers scholarships to college students pursuing levels in STEM that cowl education-related prices that exceed monetary assist. For the reason that ComEd Students Program’s inception in 2019, 26 college students have been awarded assist.
“ComEd’s dedication to creating the varied STEM workforce of the longer term exemplifies what it means to create equitable pathways for the following era of leaders and change-makers,” mentioned UIC Interim Chancellor Javier Reyes. “We’re grateful for this partnership and funding in UIC college students.”
ComEd CEO Gil Quiniones mentioned the scholarships symbolize “an funding in your educational {and professional} journey.” He mentioned the corporate goals to offer college students with publicity by way of its internships and help to turn out to be STEM leaders.
Along with monetary help, the ComEd Students are additionally granted the chance to interview for internships at ComEd and its father or mother firm, Exelon, and are inspired to take part in a mentorship program with ComEd engineers.
“At ComEd we’re dedicated to diversifying the STEM workforce and supporting proficient college students from throughout our communities,” Quiniones mentioned. “The ComEd Students program seeks to present college students data, confidence and assets to not solely obtain their schooling and profession aspirations, however to even have a significant influence of their communities for years to come back.”
UIC’s CHANCE program started in 2004 and was designed to help the college with its purpose to extend recruitment, retention and commencement charges of underrepresented college students in partnership with Chicago Public Faculties, Metropolis Schools of Chicago, community-based organizations, numerous suburban faculty districts and constitution faculties. CHANCE stands for Counseling Assist and Help Needed for a twenty first Century School Schooling.
“This partnership continues to boost the lives of our students. The CHANCE Program is delighted to work with ComEd,” CHANCE Director Khalilah Younger mentioned. “This chance is life-altering; we’re so grateful to ComEd for investing within the good minds right here at UIC.”
