Voya Financial, Inc., announced today that four New York-area college students have been selected to each receive a $5,000 scholarship from Voya Foundation, through the company’s Voya Teacher Voices® program. Voya Financial is a leading provider of retirement plans for educators.
The recipients of the 2021 Teacher Voices scholarships, Keely Bubb (2023); Ruth Fraser (2022); Tricia Maxwell (2022); and Rene Vacianna (2022), are early childhood and special education majors at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn. The college is part of the City University of New York (CUNY) and one of the country’s Predominantly Black Institutions.
“Awarding this year’s Teacher Voices scholarships to these four inspiring students from a Predominantly Black Institution reflects our commitment to diversifying our nation’s workforce of educators and to supporting students in underserved communities,” said Braeden Mayrisch, Voya’s associate vice president, stakeholder equity and impact; vice president, Voya Foundation; and a board member of the Medgar Evers College Educational Foundation. “We are thrilled to continue this commitment by helping these outstanding students who are destined to have a tremendous impact on students when they begin their careers.”
The recipients were chosen by a selection committee consisting of five 2021 State Teachers of the Year and the 2021 National Teacher of the Year. The National Teacher of the Year Program is managed by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), a nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education, which has long worked with the Voya Teacher Voices program.
Established in 2018, Voya Foundation’s signature program, Voya Teacher Voices, focuses on empowering teachers to become leaders by promoting the teaching profession, recognizing high-achieving educators, providing training opportunities, and offering financial support.
Through Voya Teacher Voices, its classroom grants program, Voya Unsung Heroes®, and other Voya Foundation programs, including sponsorship of the national and state Teacher of the Year recognitions, Voya has been committed to supporting current and aspiring educators for 25 years.