Pasco-Hernando State College Volume XL, Issue II - Fall 2017

FOUNDATION NEWS Duke Energy Foundation D oubles First Generation Impact in STEM Fields T he Duke Energy Foundation supports effective dollar, to provide 60 semester scholarships to 2017-18 educational programs and initiatives that PHSC students recognized as the first in their family emphasize science, technology, engineering, to attend college. During the 2016-17 academic year and math (STEM) through education, training, and alone, more than 3,600 PHSC students were identified workforce development. Duke Energy regularly partners as first generation scholarship eligible. Less than 15% of with organizations that assist developing the next these students who applied received PHSC Foundation generation workforce by investing in high-performing, scholarship support. The investment from the Duke sustainable programs and initiatives that produce an Energy Foundation along with the matching funding impactful regional workforce. will allow the College increased accessibility to assist Through this initiative, the Pasco-Hernando State College Foundation received $19,500 to support first generation in college students pursuing careers in STEM. STEM has become integral to PHSC allowing students to pursue programs in more than 75 STEM more students. Along with the scholarship funding, Duke Energy also provided a generous donation toward cultural and social enrichment in the community through a presenting sponsorship of the upcoming PHSC Foundation Performing Arts Series. degrees and certificates. Popular areas of study incorporate high-demand career paths including engineering technology, cybersecurity, aviation, nursing and allied health, welding, and accounting. A Florida Department of Education matching program will allow Duke Energy’s funding to be duplicated, dollar-for- Claire Cohn, Director of Development, PHSC Foundation, Jeff Baker, Government & Community Relations Manager, Duke Energy, and William Shustowski, Jr. Ph.D., Executive Director, PHSC Foundation. FALL 2017 11

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