New York Power Authority Awards $10,000 College Scholarships to 20 Accomplished Students
Program Promotes Educational Equity and Supports Greater Access to Careers in Energy Industry
WHITE PLAINS—The New York Power Authority (NYPA) today announced $10,000 in college scholarship funding to 20 accomplished New York high school students who plan to pursue a four-year college degree in a STEM field related to the energy industry. The Future Energy Leaders scholarship program is part of NYPA’s commitment to diversify the clean energy workforce development pipeline by increasing the number of highly educated and career-ready professionals of color. In total, NYPA has awarded college scholarships to 50 students since the program began in 2021.
“Every college student needs support to be successful, and NYPA is taking steps to do just that” said Laurie Wheelock, NYPA trustee. “The Power Authority is awarding this year’s Future Energy Leaders scholarships to high school graduates in underrepresented communities with the goal of reducing barriers to pursuing energy-related careers. By giving a boost to today’s students, we are also helping shape the clean energy workforce of the future.”
“Equity and justice are key elements of the New York Power Authority’s workforce strategy, which provides opportunities and support to the next generation of energy workers,” said Justin E. Driscoll, Power Authority president and CEO. “These scholarships will support 20 students in environmental justice communities, promoting equal access and a culture of inclusion in the utility industry.”
The recipients were inducted at the 2024 Future Energy Leaders Conference on June 15 at NYPA’s office in White Plains. Several NYPA scholars from 2021-2023 were also in attendance. The event included a welcome from Driscoll; messages of support from Wheelock and Eagle Academy Foundation CEO Donald Ruff; and a career panel.
The scholarships are awarded to academically accomplished and underrepresented high school seniors enrolled in a four-year college for the semester immediately following graduation. They must also reside in New York State, be in good academic standing, and express an interest in working toward careers related to the energy industry.
This year NYPA partnered with five community and industry organizations that were responsible for program administration, including recruitment of qualified candidates, evaluation of applications and final selection of scholarship awardees. The 2024 awardees are as follows:
Eagle Academy Foundation
- Gio Lopez, Eagle Academy for Young Men of Staten Island, to study civil engineering at Manhattan College
- James Coombs, Eagle Academy for Young Men at Ocean Hill, to study mechanical engineering at University at Buffalo
- Maelieh Perez, Eagle Academy for Young Men – Bronx, to study finance at Cornell University
- Matthew Okurenjoku, Eagle Academy for Young Men of Southeast Queens, to study business administration at St. John’s University
- Sean Hamilton, Eagle Academy for Young Men of Harlem, to study international business and policy at Connecticut College
National Society of Black Engineers
- Shalimar Rodriguez, City Honors School at Fosdick Masten Park in Buffalo, to study business administration at University at Buffalo
- Abubakr Jallow, Frederick Olmsted High School in Buffalo, to study finance and data science at Canisius College
- Zigabor Banuna, Hutchinson Central Technical High School in Buffalo, to study mechanical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University
- Faith Floyd, City Honors School at Fosdick Masten Park in Buffalo, to study public health and global affairs at University at Buffalo
- Kagame Munroe, Christian Brothers Academy in Albany, to study electrical and computer engineering at Duke University
New York Urban League
- Adedoyin Adeshuko, Curtis High School in Staten Island, to study biochemistry at University at Buffalo
- Adrian Rodriguez, A. Phillip Randolph High School Campus in the Bronx, to study mechanical engineering at Stony Brook University
- Japheth Holder, Uncommon Preparatory Charter High School in Brooklyn, to study aerospace engineering at Pennsylvania State University
- Timmii Dansby, Science Skills Center High School for Science, Technology and the Creative Arts in Brooklyn, to study mechanical engineering at the City College of New York
- Denver Kelly, Forest Hills High School in Queens, to study neuroscience at University of Connecticut
United Neighborhood Houses
- Alexis Torres, Health Education and Research Occupations (HERO) High School in the Bronx, to study computer science and renewable energy innovation at Hunter College
- Anuedy Carmona Castro, Health Education and Research Occupations (HERO) High School in the Bronx, to study civil engineering at Manhattan College
- Daphney Ramirez, Bronx Academy for Software Engineering, to study mechanical engineering at University at Buffalo
- Jailyn Montalvo, Bronx Health and Sciences High School, to study biochemistry at Old Dominion University
- Layla Santos, In-Tech Academy in the Bronx, to pursue business and environmental studies at Brooklyn College
Hear from the scholarship recipients in their own words.
See photos from the conference here and here. More photos available on request.
For more information about this program, please contact Julieanne Sullivan, Environmental Justice senior project manager, at [email protected].
About NYPA
NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 17 generating facilities and more than 1,550 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us
