ComEd Scholars program supports students looking to attain STEM-focused careers

CHICAGO (Nov. 19, 2019) – Four second-year students pursuing degrees in engineering are the first recipients of a new ComEd scholarship that fills the tuition gap not covered by financial aid for the rest of their undergraduate careers.

The four recipients – two from Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) and two from University of Illinois at Chicago – are the first group of ComEd Scholars, an educational investment that seeks to develop a diverse workforce reflective of the communities served by ComEd.

"ComEd's support of the communities we serve starts with helping students access and attain their education goals," said Michelle Blaise, ComEd's senior vice president of technical services and an Illinois Tech mechanical engineering alumna. "It is our hope that this workforce of the future will lead the way in creating new innovations that will help our local communities to succeed."

In addition to powering homes and businesses across northern Illinois, ComEd leads the conversation on the value of STEM-focused careers and increasing participation of underrepresented communities. ComEd plans to expand the ComEd Scholars program every year, by creating mentorship and internship opportunities for recipients.

The 2019 ComEd Scholars are:

• Anita Cofie, a second-year student at the University of Illinois at Chicago pursuing a degree in electrical engineering from the Auburn Gresham neighborhood of Chicago.
• Alexander Espitia, a second-year student at Illinois Tech pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering from Burbank, Il.
• Daniel Flores, a second-year student at the University of Illinois at Chicago pursuing a degree in electrical engineering from the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago.
• Brandon Gomez, a second-year student at Illinois Tech pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering from the Irving Park neighborhood of Chicago.

"We know that the success of our future generations is more evident when education, business, and the civic communities align to the benefit of our young people," said J. Rex Tolliver, vice chancellor for Student Affairs. "ComEd's generous contribution to the UIC CHANCE Program's STEM Academy provides substantial opportunities for UIC to attract, retain and advance students of diverse backgrounds in their studies and desired professional fields. This is an extraordinary demonstration of ComEd's commitment to fueling a pipeline talent to take science, technology and engineering to new heights in Chicago and beyond."

"Illinois Tech attracts brilliant students whose accomplishments in the workforce help benefit our society, from inventions such as the cell phone to Amazon Alexa," said Ernie Iseminger, vice president for institutional advancement at Illinois Tech. "ComEd's investment in Illinois Tech students through scholarship funding and opportunities to participate in the workforce is also an investment in our students' successes."