$65,000 in funding supports EDGE Scholarship program
Inver Hills Community College recently received a $65,000 grant from Travelers to support the Travelers EDGE Scholarship program at the college. Established in 2007, Travelers EDGE®, or Empowering Dreams for Graduation and Employment, helps underrepresented students succeed through a unique, holistic approach to education.
Through ongoing partnerships with colleges, universities and community-based organizations, Travelers EDGE gives underrepresented students increased access to higher education, providing more opportunities for advancement on academic and professional pathways.
“The program helps students progress from middle to high school curriculum in preparation for postsecondary education, building a strong pipeline of future leaders to college and beyond. Once enrolled in college, Travelers EDGE students benefit from a broad range of support services, including financial support, career and business advice from our employees, internships and job shadowing, and professional development workshops.” — Travelers EDGE® Overview
Travelers is ensuring opportunity by contributing to efforts that create strong, vibrant communities and offer pathways to success. Through corporate funding and the Travelers Foundation, Travelers targets its giving to three key outcomes:
With the primary focus of educating underrepresented students to lead the workforce of the future, Travelers also contributes to organizations that aid in developing communities through small business support and neighborhood revitalization—all while enriching lives and learning through arts and culture.
About Travelers
The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV) is a leading provider of property casualty insurance for auto, home and business. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Travelers has approximately 30,000 employees and generated revenues of approximately $27 billion in 2015. For more information, visit Travelers.
Matt Kruger, director of TRIO Student Support Services and Travelers EDGE at Inver Hills, is proud of the college’s most recent Travelers EDGE Scholars, Dominique Dailey, Winnie Nyange, Maayuk Eta, Rolando Rincon, Nathawadee Yang, Luis Quintanilla and Loren Bushyhead. Luis Quintanilla, Dominique Dailey, Nathawadee Yang, Rolando Rincon, Winnie Nyange (not pictured: Loren Bushyhead and Maayuk Eta)
“The continued support of Travelers for career-focused learning opportunities at Inver Hills has allowed us to develop innovative programs that empower our students to take their learning into the workforce,” Matt said. “The Travelers EDGE program is an excellent model of how to create career pathways for students from diverse backgrounds. The scholarships allow our students to gain work experience relevant to their fields of interest while still being able to pay their bills and support their families.”
Travelers EDGE program goals
Increase the number of underrepresented students attending college through rigorous middle and high school curricula
Help underrepresented students graduate from college through scholarship support and academic advising
Build awareness of careers in insurance and financial services by providing a combination of professional development, internship and mentorship opportunities
Matt Kruger (third from right) with Travelers EDGE success stories
(left to right)Joyal Varghese, Inver Hills and Metro State EDGE alumnus; Wahlwae Thawtrue, Inver Hills and Metro State EDGE alumna; Rodolfo Ledezma, Inver Hills and Metro State EDGE alumnus; Lillian Conely, Inver Hills EDGE alumna and current Metro State EDGE Scholar; Randa Phommathet, Inver Hills and Metro State EDGE alumna; and Arcelia Hernandez, Inver Hills EDGE alumna and current Metro State EDGE Scholar
Gail Morrison, Inver Hills Foundation director, reported that the college’s partnership with Travelers represents one of the best ways to develop the talent pool required by Minnesota businesses and industries to strengthen the state’s economy in a global marketplace.
The partnership also allows the college to advance its ongoing efforts to eliminate the racial and economic disparities that keep too many Minnesotans from becoming valuable members of a dynamic and inclusive workforce.
“Travelers EDGE is a wonderful program,” Gail said. “EDGE Scholars participate in professional development workshops that cover such topics as communication, resume and cover letters, and interview preparation. Our scholars intern in positions relevant to their career goals. They meet one on one with faculty and take part in biweekly group meetings. Our scholars also complete individualized career development plans that lead to additional work experience, mentoring, and leadership experience in student organizations.”
To learn more about Travelers EDGE at Inver Hills, contact:
Matt Kruger
TRIO Student Support Services Director
Travelers EDGE Director
651-450-3701
Gail Morrison
Executive Director
651-450-3512 Leslie Krona
Scholarship and Alumni Coordinator
651-450-3714 Travelers EDGE Scholars from the Twin Cities
