Posted on February 18, 2016 by Joanna Carver
San Antonio philanthropist Harvey E. Najim has established the Harvey Najim Pathways Scholarship program in the UTSA College of Business to prepare underserved students for jobs in high-demand fields.
As part of a larger initiative that was announced today with the Alamo Community Colleges, the program will support transfer students from Alamo Colleges to the College of Business in the areas of cyber security and information systems.
“We are excited to partner with Harvey Najim to establish this program in the UTSA College of Business,” said Wm. Gerard Sanders , dean and Bodenstedt Chair. “Through this innovative program, local, first-generation students will be able to pursue a bachelor’s degree in cyber security—an area of high demand not only nationally, but particularly in San Antonio. We welcome this opportunity to educate San Antonio students and transform them into confident and career-ready professionals.”
Najim has pledged $1 million in funding for the Alamo Colleges and another $1 million for students to enroll in partner programs. In addition to UTSA, partner universities include Texas A&M-San Antonio and the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio.
“Too many jobs in technology and the medical field are not being filled with local San Antonio graduates—especially those from low-income families,” said Najim.
Fifty students per year for four years will be able to begin studies at Alamo College and then transfer to a partner university to earn bachelor’s degrees in cyber security, information technology, nursing and health professions.
UTSA scholars will receive $2,500 per year for two years to complete their degree from the Najim Pathways program. And, that amount will be matched by the College of Business–providing critical support for students to complete their undergraduate degree.
Wendy Frost—
Please send your comments to: wendy.frost@utsa.edu