RMA Scholarships Benefiting HBCU Students - And Soon the Industry

“The scholarship helped me not stress about paying for my tuition, because I have to pay out of pocket.”

–Jenei Grogans, Roanoke, VA Norfolk State University

 

 

RMA has awarded $152,000 in scholarships to students at Historically Black Colleges & Universities as part of its effort to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the financial services industry.

The $2,000 scholarships are designed to benefit students pursuing financial services careers—and the RMA member banks that will ultimately gain from their talents. “When I learned I was awarded the RMA Scholarship I was surprised and excited!” said Jenei Grogans, a junior at Norfolk State University. “The scholarship helped me not stress about paying for my tuition, because I have to pay out of pocket.”

The awards align with RMA’s belief that DEI is not only the right thing to do, it is also good business: Several studies show that banks with higher levels of racial, ethnic, and gender diversity exceed their peers in innovation, profitability, and other performance measures.

Grogans, of Roanoke, Virginia, said she is “pursuing a career in financial services because I feel like I can help people using the skills I am best at, which leans towards the financial industry.”

In addition to Norfolk State, the scholarship awards went to students from the following Historically Black Colleges & Universities: Alcorn State University, Benedict College, Bowie State University, Chicago State University, Dillard University, Edward Waters University, Florida A&M University, Harris Stowe State University, Howard University, Medgar Evers College, Morgan State University, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina Central University, Prairie View A&M University, Saint Augustine’s University, South Carolina State University, Tennessee State University, Texas Southern University, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and the University of the District of Columbia.

“These scholarships will help usher new talent into the industry at a critical time,” said RMA President and CEO Nancy Foster. “With the challenges presented by rapid technological transformation, climate, and demographic change, and ever-increasing emerging risks, the financial industry needs workforces with a diversity of talent and backgrounds to achieve its important mission.”

RMA is committed to supporting and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion for the benefit of its members and the industry through efforts including its RMA Women in Risk initiative and RMA’s collaboration with MinBanc to provide training at MDIs.

RMA, which works to advance sound risk management principles in the financial services industry, awards scholarships through its RMA Foundation to assist in attracting banking talent at a time of increasing baby boomer retirements and competition for graduates from tech and other sectors.

The RMA Foundation has distributed more than $1.3 million to over 500 students. Applications are now being accepted for the next round of RMA Scholarships through March 31 at 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

RMA Scholarship Winners

Denise Allen-Clark Fort Campell KY Norfolk State University

Karen Atherly Brooklyn NY Edward Waters University

Evan Badger Inverness FL Bowie State University

Meauna Bailey Memphis TN Harris Stowe State University

Nasjay Bostick Orangeburg SC Tennessee State University

Finn Boyens St. Louis MO Howard University

Adaiah Brunson Brooklyn NY Saint Augustine's University

Sifa Butcher Pembroke Pines FL Florida A&M University

Jada Carter Milwaukee WI Tennessee State University

Sherifa Clarke Brooklyn NY Norfolk State University

Faith Crawford Pittsburgh PA Bowie State University

Valerie Davenport Bellwood IL Florida A&M University

Jada Fisher Houston TX Morgan State University

Dasia Foster St Louis MO Alcorn State University

Etaya Fowler Alexander AR Morgan State University

Shanice Francis Columbia SC Norfolk State University

Savena Fuller Washington DC Harris Stowe State University

Jenei Grogans Roanoke VA Tennessee State University

Sidney Hampton Washington DC North Carolina A&T State University

Caitlyn Harris Port Orange FL Alcorn State University

Uniqua Harris Durham NC Norfolk State University

Efhe Ikharo Durham NC North Carolina Central University

Danielle Jackson Chesapeake VA Alcorn State University

Shajuana Jenkins Tallahassee FL University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Jaleeya Jennings Tallahassee FL Florida A&M University

Jordan Johnson Tallahassee FL Howard University

Monica Johnson Portsmouth VA Harris Stowe State University

Anijah Jones Cartersville GA Harris Stowe State University

Elisha Jones Cleveland MS Tennessee State University

Janee Jones Ft. Washington MD Texas Southern University

James Jordan Vineland NJ University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Save'ion Kellam Selbyville DE Dillard University

Patrina Kennedy Garland TX Chicago State University

Arianna Khan Watchung NJ Florida A&M University

Nikolez Land Washington DC Benedict College

Jahmahn Larsosa Chicago IL Howard University

Kaila Lee Galveston TX Texas Southern University

Nafyad Lenjiso Westfield NJ Norfolk State University

Xavian Lewis Natchez MS Howard University

Jade Littleton New Orleans LA Prairie View A&M University

Isabela Londono St Louis MO Prairie View A&M University

Myles Lynch Pennsauken NJ Florida A&M University

Alexis Mack Annapolis Junction MD Texas Southern University

Tiffany Major Orangeburg SC Medgar Evers College

DeVaughn Malancon Baton Rouge LA Harris Stowe State University

Jordan Maraj Washington DC Florida A&M University

Chibuzor Martins Middle River MD Florida A&M University

Britnee McCauley Upper Marlboro MD University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Andrea McIntosh St. Louis MO Bowie State University

Rayonne McToy Charlotte NC Norfolk State University

Adeleye Mesogboriwon Jacksonville FL Tennessee State University

Kameron Napoli Jacksonville FL Howard University

Seynabu Ndoye Nashville TN Morgan State University

Rita Nwoke Houston TX Howard University

Benjamin Patterson Nashville TN South Carolina State University

Branden Patterson Alexandria VA Norfolk State University

Auriel Patton Tallahassee FL Dillard University

Taylor Phillips Portsmouth VA Florida A&M University

Tyra Powell Irvington NJ Prairie View A&M University

Kameron Pree Houston TX Alcorn State University

Shontavia Riggins Elloree SC Norfolk State University

Devin Robinson Richmond VA University of the District of Columbia

Jada Simmons Pine Bluff AR Tennessee State University

Destiny Spady Harrisburg NC Florida A&M University

Miya Staggers Baltimore MD Benedict College

Jay'Len thompson Houston TX Medgar Evers College

Mylan Townsel Memphis TN South Carolina State University

Ruth Uche Lorman MS University of the District of Columbia

Chinedu Ufio Lorman MS Howard University

Nadirah Umran-Sanders Baltimore MD Norfolk State University

Claudia Utria Alvarez Baltimore MD South Carolina State University

Kimberlee Walters Tallahassee FL Norfolk State University

Kaycee Watkins Country Club Hills IL North Carolina Central University

Ashley Weekes Raleigh NC Chicago State University

Willie Willis Memphis TN Alcorn State University

Leonardo Zuazo Miami FL Alcorn State University