Penn National Gaming Wednesday announced a new Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Scholarship Program in partnership with Historically Black Colleges and Universities. In states where Penn National operates, the gaming operator will dedicate more than $4 million over five years to fund STEM scholarships, and also provide internships at the company.
Participating HBCUs include Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia; Bowie State University in Bowie, Maryland; and Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio.
In a statement, Penn National CEO Jay Snowden said the formation of the Penn Diversity Committee in 2020 resulted in the new scholarship program.
“(The Diversity Committee’s) guidance led to the company launching a $1 million annual Diversity Scholarship Program for children of Penn National team members in furtherance of the company’s commitment to equity in post-secondary education opportunities,” Snowden said. “This year 58 scholarships were awarded to eligible candidates, 57 percent of whom are first-generation students.”
Penn National’s commitment to the STEM scholarships and internship opportunities is an extension of its partnerships with 33 HBCUs across the country. The ongoing collaboration with HBCUs facilitates career opportunities at Penn National’s properties and increases participation in its Leadership Excellence at Penn National Gaming (LEAP) Program, which provides hands-on training, mentoring, and real-world experience to new or recent college graduates interested in long-term gaming industry careers.
“We are incredibly proud of our partnerships with HBCUs across the country,” said Penn National Senior Vice President of Regional Operations Justin Carter, who also is chairman of the Diversity Committee. “The STEM Scholarship Program is another important step in narrowing the representation gap in STEM fields among certain underrepresented communities.”
