SC Johnson donates $5.5M to Gateway Technical College

RACINE, Wis. - SC Johnson announced on Thursday, Feb. 11 it is donating $5.5 million to Gateway Technical College to create a program dedicated to providing women, people of color, and those with limited means the opportunity to gain a four-year degree in STEM-related career fields.

The gift marks the largest single donation to Gateway Technical College in its history.

"Investments like this, building scholarship opportunities gives young folks the chance to think about their future and their career," said Bryan Albrecht, Gateway president and CEO.

The SC Johnson STEM Scholars Pathway program will serve at least 180 high school graduates who live within the Racine Unified School District and attend a high school within Racine County.

A total of 18 scholarships will be awarded annually for the next 10 years to female students, underrepresented students of color and low-income students enrolling in the following programs:

• Electrical Engineering Technology
• Architectural-Structural Engineering Technician
• IT-Data Analytics Specialist
• IT-Cybersecurity Specialist
• IT-Network Specialist
• IT-Web Developer
• IT-Software Developer

"The fact that we've identified targeting these scholarships toward young women, students of color and underrepresented populations increases the opportunity for more students to have access to higher education," Albrecht said.

Data show women have just 25% of available STEM jobs. Black and Latina women represent just 5% of employed engineers and scientists, per SC Johnson.

Rosalie Daca, Racine Unified School District chief academic officer, hopes the STEM scholars program can change those statistics.

"You can begin to get involved in elementary school, then grow it in middle school, and perfect it in high school, then go on and make that a career of a lifetime," Daca said.

It's opening the door to a sustainable career with a scholarship that will also promote diversity.

"Finances these days are tough on all of us, and some of these kids would never think that's a possibility," said Daca. "It's very exciting to see and to give them the option."

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After completing their Gateway degree, students can enroll at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), Carthage College or Concordia University to complete their bachelor’s degree.

For more information on program eligibility and to fill out an application, visit gtc.edu/admissions/sc-johnson-stem-scholars-pathway. Applications for the next academic year are due by April 1.

Fisk Johnson, Chairman and CEO of SC Johnson, issued the following statement in a news release:

"Removing barriers to economic mobility for underserved people is key to the future strength of the United States. The high-demand fields chosen for these scholarships, like software development, electrical engineering and cybersecurity, can create higher-paying jobs, provide long-term career opportunities for students and benefit our economy. We are pleased to be able to support Gateway in its efforts to do just that for people in our community."