MONROE, La. – April 1, 2022 – Regions Bank is contributing to an effort to address a critical shortage of teachers in Louisiana.
A $100,000 grant from the bank will provide two annual $10,000 scholarships for the next five years for University of Louisiana-Monroe education majors who meet scholarship criteria and are accepted into the fund.
Recipients must be participants in ULM’s Educators Rising program, an effort launched three years ago to cultivate future educators by providing college-credit classes, support, and guidance to Louisiana students from high school through university graduation.
“From the success of Educators Rising, we developed the first Pre-Educator Pathway program in the state for high school students,” said Dr. Amy Weems, ULM associate professor of education. “The goal was to create a comprehensive education pathway that includes key content and development of skills to prepare high school students for their transition in a teacher preparation program such as the ULM School of Education.”
The first Regions Bank ULM Educators Rising scholarship will be awarded for the fall semester of 2022.
“Education and workforce readiness are two of Regions Bank’s top priorities for uplifting and supporting our communities,” said Kevin Smith, Monroe market executive for Regions Bank. “Often the difference between those who succeed, and those who do not, is whether they can access the training they need to launch a career. We know these scholarships will help empower ULM students with the tools they need to become excellent educators of tomorrow.”
Scholarship recipients must be in good standing with ULM and have at least a 2.5 GPA. The scholarships are renewable if a 2.5 GPA is maintained up to a maximum of eight total semesters for incoming freshmen. All other recipients may receive the scholarship for the remaining semesters (up to eight) needed to complete a four-year degree.
For more information about the ULM Pre-Educator Pathway or Educators Rising, contact Dr. Weems at [email protected] or 318-342-1280.
About ULM Pre-Educator Pathway
The ULM Pre-Educator Pathway was recognized by the Louisiana Department of Education, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. In 2020, the program was adopted statewide by the Louisiana State Workforce Commission Workforce Investment Council.
About Educators Rising
Educators Rising is a nonprofit organization designed to cultivate future educators by providing college-credit classes, support, and guidance while still in high school and through university graduation. The National Education Association, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and the Walton Family Foundation are among its partners.
About Regions Financial Corporation
Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF), with $163 billion in assets, is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation’s largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates approximately 1,300 banking offices and more than 2,000 ATMs. Regions Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.