Press ReleaseMay 5, 2020
Charter Launches Spectrum Scholars, Awarding $400,000 In Scholarships to Eligible College Students
Charter’s New Scholarship and Mentorship Initiative Aims to Support 20 Underrepresented Students With Demonstrated Financial Need
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STAMFORD, Conn. – Charter Communications, Inc. today announced the creation of Spectrum Scholars, a two-year educational program for eligible rising juniors with financial need. To help with the selection of the Spectrum Scholars, Charter is collaborating with the American Indian College Fund, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, UNCF (United Negro College Fund) and Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), national non-profit organizations focused on supporting the needs and aspirations of underrepresented students.
Launching today, Charter and its non-profit partners will begin the application process to select 20 students who will each be awarded a $20,000 college scholarship to be used over the course of their junior and senior years. Students selected as Spectrum Scholars will participate in a structured, two-year program that will focus on professional development. Beginning in the 2020-2021 academic year, students also will receive a Charter mentor and the opportunity to explore an internship at Charter, one of the nation’s largest broadband and connectivity companies.
“Charter is pleased to continue its commitment to diversity and inclusion and service of local communities through the launch of Spectrum Scholars,” said Tom Rutledge, Chairman and CEO, Charter. “This new initiative supports our future workforce through financial assistance and career mentorship. We look forward to welcoming the first class of Spectrum Scholars and to introducing them to the many different career opportunities with Charter."
The addition of Spectrum Scholars continues the company’s deep commitment to its communities. And Spectrum Scholars’ goals to further develop the company’s workforce, especially during a difficult economy, fall within Charter’s overall mission of meeting the needs of the communities it serves. Rutledge continued, “We recognize that, now more than ever, these scholarships may be critical to the students’ ability to continue their education in the fall.”
More information on how to apply to become a Spectrum Scholar is available here.
Charter Communications is committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of its business, and strives to leverage the full diversity of its people and partners to make a meaningful difference for its customers, employees and communities. In addition to this commitment, Charter’s Community Impact team has developed several programs to improve local communities. In 2015, it launched its initial signature program, Spectrum Housing Assist, with the goal of improving 50,000 homes. To date, the company has reached more than 41,000 homes. In 2017, Charter expanded its philanthropic efforts by launching Spectrum Digital Education, which provides funding to local organizations helping to close the digital divide. Since the program’s inception, the company has committed $6 million in grants and in-kind support. In 2019, Spectrum Employee Community Grants was created to support employees’ volunteer work at local social and human services nonprofits. Last year, the company donated $250,000 to 140 organizations across 24 states for this program.
About Charter
Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) is a leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator serving more than 29 million customers in 41 states through its Spectrum brand. Over an advanced communications network, the company offers a full range of state-of-the-art residential and business services including Spectrum Internet®, TV, Mobile and Voice.
For small and medium-sized companies, Spectrum Business® delivers the same suite of broadband products and services coupled with special features and applications to enhance productivity, while for larger businesses and government entities, Spectrum Enterprise provides highly customized, fiber-based solutions. Spectrum Reach® delivers tailored advertising and production for the modern media landscape. The company also distributes award-winning news coverage, sports and high-quality original programming to its customers through Spectrum Networks and Spectrum Originals. More information about Charter can be found at corporate.charter.com.
Media Contact
Leslie Byxbee