Ten students from SUNY Westchester Community College (WCC) in Valhalla have recently been selected to receive S.M.I.L.E. (Success Matters in Life and Education) scholarships from the PepsiCo Foundation. This scholarship is part of the PepsiCo Foundation’s Community College Scholarship Program – which was established in 2021 to address the issue of underrepresentation in high-demand fields.
The PepsiCo Foundation S.M.I.L.E. Scholarship awards two-year scholarships of up to $25,000 per year ($50,000 total) to students from historically underserved communities. Each scholar also receives access to resources such as financial literacy courses and is assigned a professional mentor from PepsiCo to provide guidance and support during the educational journey. To qualify, students must be transitioning to complete their bachelor’s degree in a business or STEM field in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited four-year college or university in the United States.
The scholars and their schools are:
- Daniela Bloom-Pavon – SUNY Binghamton University;
- Wellington Castro – Pace University;
- Sashawn Francis – CUNY Lehman College;
- Adriana McFadden – CUNY Queens College;
- Shirley Montenegro – Pace University;
- Tyfanna Moulton – Kennesaw State University;
- Ramon Perez – Kennesaw State University;
- Jason Uyaguari – CUNY Hunter College;
- Joan Waldron – Columbia University;
- Khayri West – Pace University.
“SUNY WCC is proud to continue its relationship with PepsiCo to further our shared commitment to diversity and access in higher education,” said Belinda S. Miles, Ph.D., president of Westchester Community College. “Those of our students who were selected for the S.M.I.L.E. Scholarship have distinguished themselves for their academic excellence and dedication. They are typical of the thousands of students who come to SUNY WCC for an affordable option before continuing their studies at a four-year institution.”
“Driving lasting change is our focus at the PepsiCo Foundation, and what better way to do that than to invest in the education and future of the next generation,” added C.D. Glin, president of the PepsiCo Foundation and global head of social impact at PepsiCo. “A single scholarship can be the catalyst for these ambitious students to complete their education, build generational wealth within their families and contribute to a stronger community for all.”
The PepsiCo Foundation’s community college program also includes Uplift Scholarships for students seeking two-year associate degrees or trade certificates.
