Penn National Gaming in $4m STEM scholarship program
Barstool Sportsbook operator targets next generation of tech graduates with university partnership
Penn National Gaming (PNG) has launched a new science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) scholarship program in partnership with some of the US’s historically black colleges and universities.
The Barstool Sportsbook operator has pledged to donate $4m over the next five years to fund STEM scholarships and internship opportunities at PNG.
Initial participating universities include Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia, Bowie State University in Bowie, Maryland, and Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio.
Penn National’s commitment to fund STEM scholarships and internship opportunities is an extension of established partnerships with 33 universities across the US.
These facilitate potential career opportunities within the firm’s retail portfolio via the its Leadership Excellence at Penn National Gaming (LEAP) Program.
LEAP provides hands-on training, mentoring, and real world experience to new or recent college graduates who are interested in building a long term career in the gaming industry.
In 2020, PNG formed the Penn Diversity Committee, which includes team members from underrepresented communities at various levels of the PNG hierarchy.
This indirectly led to the launch of a $1m annual Diversity Scholarship Program for children of Penn National team members with the aim of providing equity in post-secondary education opportunities.
In 2021, 58 scholarships were awarded to eligible candidates, 57% of whom are first-generation students.
PNG president and CEO Jay Snowden highlighted the role of the committee in pushing the cause of diversity and inclusion to the top of PNG’s agenda.
“The committee, which reports directly to me, includes a broad range of team members from underrepresented communities and at varying levels in our organization,” Snowden explained.
“The hard work of our diversity committee continues to help identify opportunities for new initiatives, including today’s announced commitment towards STEM scholarships and internships for students at HBCUs.
“Increasing access to STEM opportunities for HBCU students is another important step to promote social and economic equity, as well as diversity, inclusion and belonging.
Penn National is well positioned to be North America’s leading digital, entertainment, sports content, gaming, and technology company, and we look forward to supplementing these scholarships with real-life technical skills development for the STEM internship recipients,” Snowden concluded.