Irving Innovation Award Spotlight: Dominion Energy Educational Equity Scholarship Program

This fall, Scholarship America will once again be presenting the Irving Innovation Awards, honoring organizations that have reimagined what it means to support students, providing financial assistance and creating holistic opportunities for personal and professional growth.

These awards reflect the vision of organization founder Dr. Irving Fradkin, whose pioneering work in establishing community-based scholarships has grown into a nationwide movement. In 1958, after years of hearing from patients who dreamed of college but couldn’t afford it, Dr. Fradkin gathered his neighbors to initiate community scholarship fundraising. Fifteen scholarships were awarded that first year—and today, that community effort has grown into Scholarship America, the nation’s largest administrator of scholarships.

As we lead up to the Irving Innovation Awards on September 23, we’re proud to spotlight the award winners here. Our first featured program is the Dominion Energy Educational Equity Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships up to $10,000 to students who reside in Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia or West Virginia, supporting them as they pursue college, vocational or trade school and helping develop the future workforce of the energy industry.

To learn more, we spoke with Latoya Smith, Vice-President of Employee Experience & Talent Strategy at Dominion Energy.

What’s your role at Dominion Energy and how do you work with the scholarship program?
As Vice President of Employee Experience and Talent Strategy, I am responsible for the strategic oversight of the company’s end-to-end talent ecosystem that supports its mission to deliver reliable, affordable and increasingly clean energy. This includes, among other things, the company’s workforce development and student employment programs and initiatives.  The Dominion Energy Educational Equity Scholarship Program is one of the ways we invest in students to help them pursue their goals and prepare for what’s next.

Why does Dominion Energy feel it’s so important to invest in scholarships?
Education has the power to change the course of someone’s life. Not because it solves every challenge, but because it expands what they believe is possible. It can provide exposure, confidence, language for ideas, access to rooms and opportunities they otherwise may never have encountered.  I’ve met students who are balancing school, work, family responsibilities, and everything else life brings. If we can help ease some of that pressure and allow students to focus on pursuing their goals, that’s a worthwhile investment. At the end of the day, we want to do our part to support future leaders who will help shape not only the energy industry – but our communities and our country.

How does the Dominion Energy Educational Equity Scholarship Program fit in with your broader CSR, mission, and workforce development initiatives?
People are at the center of everything we do and integrate all three of these pillars. We are committed to expanding educational access, cultivating future talent that is committed to our company’s mission, and helping to build a skilled talent pipeline for the energy industry. To that end, whether we’re developing employees, building future leaders, or supporting students as they pursue post-secondary education pathways, we’re focused on creating opportunities for growth. The Dominion Energy Educational Equity Scholarship Program reflects that commitment. It helps students access educational opportunities, supports long-term workforce development, and reinforces our belief that investing in people strengthens communities.

What led you to partner with Scholarship America for the administration of the scholarship?
We wanted a partner with deep expertise and a strong reputation for administering scholarship programs. Scholarship America brings decades of experience, a commitment to fairness and transparency, and a strong focus on the student experience. That gives us confidence that the program is being managed with integrity and that applicants are receiving the support they deserve throughout the process.

How do you think the Dominion Energy Educational Equity Scholarship Program is impacting your future workforce?
The future workforce is being shaped right now by students who are developing skills, pursuing their education, and preparing for careers in a wide range of fields. The Dominion Energy Educational Equity Scholarship Program help support that journey. While recipients may choose many different career paths, they’re becoming future leaders, innovators, problem-solvers, and contributors to their communities.

Are you in touch with past scholarship recipients? What have they gone on to do that’s stood out?
One of the most rewarding parts of the Dominion Energy Educational Equity Scholarship Program is receiving correspondence from scholarship recipients following their selection and hearing from them throughout their educational journey. What stands out most isn’t any one achievement. It’s seeing the students’ respective growth, confidence, and determination. It’s a reminder that sometimes a little support at the right moment can make a lasting difference.

What advice would you give to applicants?
Don’t count yourself out before you apply. Some students underestimate the value of their own experiences or assume someone else is more qualified. My advice? Be you! Be authentic. Share your goals, talk about what motivates you, and don’t be afraid to tell your story. In addition to understanding your accomplishments and experiences, we want to get to know the person behind the application.  Often, it’s the most genuine applications that leave the strongest impression.

Our thanks to Latoya for her time, and congratulations to Dominion Energy!