PepsiCo Scholar Summit Brings Students Together to Celebrate

Scholarship America partners with the PepsiCo Foundation to administer the NextStep Scholarship, designed to help students transition from designated partner community colleges to four-year colleges and universities, and the Field to Future Scholarship, a two-year leadership and career-development experience designed to inspire and prepare the next generation of agriculture and food-sector leaders.

In May 2026, the NextStep Scholars, along with Field to Future Scholars and ELC Scholars, gathered at PepsiCo Foods North America in Plano, Texas, for three days of networking, professional development, and pure fun.  

Upon arrival in Plano, Scholars checked into their hotel and received free, professional headshot photos prior to a welcome reception with a keynote by Tony Dixon, former Dallas Cowboys safety and now Director of Employee Giving & Community Engagement at the PepsiCo Foundation. 

Day Two was packed with activities at headquarters, including a Skittles-based icebreaker, sessions on resume building and communication styles, and plenty of conversation over meals. In the afternoon, Scholars enjoyed tours of the building—posing by the iconic Cheeto-dusted fingertips sculpture, feeding the catfish in Lake Frito, and visiting test kitchens and factory floors in the on-site R&D facility. 

Then it was off to The Star, the 91-acre Dallas Cowboys practice facility in Frisco, TX, for a tour focused on the history of the franchise, before rounding out the day with a group dinner.

On Day Three, Scholars were treated to a unique opportunity for intimate round-table discussions with PepsiCo leaders, before reconvening for a celebration featuring a keynote by Mike Del Pozzo, President of PepsiCo’s US Beverages Category.

Finally, Scholars were able to enjoy lunch with their mentors from across the PepsiCo team before departing to internships and new jobs. 

Over the course of three days, the Scholars formed a bond that, if the experience from five previous Summits hold true, will follow them into their futures. Scholarship America is proud to play a role in facilitating those connections in partnership with the PepsiCo Foundation team.

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, Anastasia Bucur, and Chase Haller.  

All photos courtesy of Photography by Misty.