PepsiCo + Scholarship America: Coming Together To Support Students

Scholarship America was thrilled to be part of the 5th Annual PepsiCo S.M.I.L.E. Success Summit, hosted recently at PepsiCo world headquarters in Purchase, NY! 

Scholarship America administers the PepsiCo S.M.I.L.E. Scholarship, which is awarded to students who began their higher education journey in community college and who plan to continue their education at a four-year institution; Scholarship America’s Abigail Seldin, Cassandra Efta, Jaci Bengfort and Bev Kraft joined PepsiCo executives and 21 PepsiCo S.M.I.L.E. Scholars for three days of networking and learning. 

After an introductory gathering, Scholars headed to PepsiCo R&D in Valhalla, NY, to get a firsthand glimpse of how PepsiCo approaches its mission of creating more smiles with every sip and every bite. The Scholars then made their way to HQ for Rolling Remembrance, PepsiCo’s annual Memorial Day event, during which a combat-flown U.S. flag is routed, over the normal course of business, across the United States. (Even more impressive, every truck that carries the flag is driven by a veteran employed by the company.)  

Rolling Remembrance raises funds for Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation, which provides scholarships to the children of service members who have died a duty-related death. The event was attended by PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta, and after the event, Scholars were able personally to express their gratitude. 

The day wrapped up with some friendly contests including an HQ-wide scavenger hunt and a gameshow-style competition that saw Scholars battling it out at the buzzer and pumping out pushups. 

On the final day of the Summit, Scholars participated in a series of intimate roundtable discussions with PepsiCo executives before heading to the day’s final event; following remarks from PepsiCo Foundation President C.D. Glin, Blair Bennett, SVP of Global Talent Acquisition, and a keynote by Rebekah Metts-Childers, VP, Global Employee Communications, on the Summit theme of Leveling Up, Scholars “walked the stage” to receive their graduation stoles and awards. 

With many Scholars set to go on to internships and future careers with PepsiCo, this is a powerful example of how a scholarship can be more than just money toward school – PepsiCo S.M.I.L.E. Scholars who attend the Summit form a community of support that can help them as they set out on careers. 

Huge thanks to our PepsiCo team partners on the Summit Planning Committee, who poured many hours into making the Summit a success: Jamelle Lacey, Traci Rue White, Willa Woods, Lisa Sherry, Anastasia Bucur, and Chase Haller. 

All photos courtesy Laurie Spens