Sodexo launches $10M scholarship initiative
UNCF to administer program for frontline employees and dependents to attend HBCUs
Dianne Fox, Director, Strategic Planning & Program Management, Sodexo, was a Howard University student. 
Chas Harris, of Sodexo schools, was a Prairie View A&M University student.
GAITHERSBURG, Md. — Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company, has announced a $10 million scholarship initiative for its U.S. frontline employees and their dependents. The program— administered by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) — is for students to attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) that are partners with Sodexo or UNCF.
Eligible frontline employees and their dependents can apply for scholarships and receive up to $12,000 for tuition, books and other educational expenses. Scholarships will be awarded based on financial need and merit and dispersed directly to each student’s college or university this fall. UNCF will oversee the program and administer the scholarship funding. The program runs through 2030.
“We are excited to launch this program with UNCF and our HBCU partners,” said Sarosh Mistry, Region Chair, Sodexo North America. “It will give more than 85,000 Sodexo frontline employees and their family’s access to funding to pursue their educational goals at the prestigious and iconic institutions where our teams proudly serve.”
“Sodexo’s commitment to our HBCUs and the students they serve is outstanding, and we thank them for this new gift,” said Michael L. Lomax, President and CEO of UNCF. “Diversity across all sectors of the U.S. economy is important, and our member institutions, along with all other HBCUs, add a significant boost to the annual American economic landscape—delivering a $14.8 billion impact each year. Ensuring that more students of color can attend our HBCUs and earn their degrees — while at the same time helping them bring vital economic impact for their communities, regions and states — brings a win-win for everyone involved. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Sodexo, and hope others like them will join us as well.”
