The Goodyear Foundation (Goodyear) is committing $1.6M to The University of Akron (UA) for a new program designed to increase job readiness training for underserved students called The Driving Opportunity Scholars Program. Goodyear鈥檚 gift will support full tuition and fees scholarships for 15 undergraduate students over the next three years with the first five beginning this fall. Selected freshmen will represent a wider range of underrepresented communities in the workplace and will be enrolled in a training and mentoring program for up to five years.
In addition to tuition, students will be matched with a Goodyear mentor to assist with career planning and networking and will also bepaired with a peer mentor from UA鈥檚 Office of MulticulturalDevelopment to assist with individual academic and personal goal setting.
Students will have the opportunity to interview for an internship or co-op at Goodyear, will attend Goodyear events and will participate in training and career-focused activities from the company. While at the University of Akron, they will also complete a capstone project, participate in a study abroad program or a service-learning experience and receive a laptop.
鈥淚nclusive opportunities are needed to build a diverse workforce tohelp corporations succeed, both today and in the future. Driving Opportunity will nurture the growth of underrepresented students as they expand their skills, build a professional network and create acareer path,鈥� said Richard J. Kramer, Goodyear chairman, CEO and president. 鈥淲e are excited to collaborate with The University of Akronto invest in these students鈥� futures and in Goodyear鈥檚. Beyond fundingstudent activities and scholarships, our funding will also support the program coordination, coaching and mentoring to students throughout their UA education.鈥�
鈥淕oodyear is a dedicated corporate and community partner, and we are deeply grateful for the investments they make in our University and the incredible opportunities they give to ourstudents,鈥� said UA President Gary L. Miller. 鈥淭he Driving Opportunity Scholars Program will allowour students unprecedented access to seasoned professionals and exciting internship opportunities that are sure to be life-changing.鈥�
Factors that will be considered as part of the application review and award include:
- a (preferred) 3.0 or higher grade point average in high school with other factors considered that impact GPA;
- obtain ACT or SAT score at a competitive level; with consideration of test optional years in 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic;
- come from a socioeconomically disadvantaged background;
- be the first generation in one鈥檚 family to attend college
Candidates will be asked to submit an essay and one-minute video describing their interest in the program and complete an interview.