Southeastern Grocers awards $75K in scholarships, hosts internship program
Southeastern Grocers, parent company and home of Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, has given $75,000 in higher education scholarships to 25 exceptional in-store and store support center associates.
The company also recently hosted a summer internship program to provide educational support and hands-on professional development opportunities for future leaders.
[Read more: Southeastern Grocers celebrates milestone in BID commitment with $1M awarded to nonprofits]
Raymond Rhee, chief people officer for Southeastern Grocers, said, “Empowering our associates and nurturing the next generation of leaders is an investment in the future. Our scholarship and internship programs are more than just financial support; by fostering education, providing robust training and offering career advancement opportunities, we are supporting their professional growth and laying the foundation for a more vibrant and forward-thinking industry. Our unwavering dedication to nurturing emerging talent underscores their capacity to shape a brighter, more successful future for all.”
Understanding the importance of prioritizing its people, SEG invests in the development of its associates, helping them reach their short- and long-term career goals. Each scholarship recipient will receive $3,000 to cover the costs of courses, books and more for the upcoming semester, the company said. Since the inception of SEG’s scholarship program in 2020, the grocer has awarded $287,000 to deserving associates. Each school year, interested associates with at least six months of tenure are encouraged to apply for a scholarship after obtaining a high school diploma or equivalent degree.
The grocer’s commitment to the future also is reflected in its internship program. Over the course of 12 weeks, the 13 summer interns worked with leaders across various departments, including accounting and finance, digital marketing, communications, HR, IT, marketing, e-commerce, merchandising and operations. The interns planned and executed their own projects, which directly contribute to the grocer’s innovation and success, SEG said.
[Read more: Southeastern Grocers celebrates milestone in BID commitment with $1M awarded to nonprofits]
Through the paid internship, the rising college juniors and seniors participated in more than 30 business workshops, personal and professional development sessions, networking opportunities, and they volunteered in the community and worked inside Harveys Supermarkets and Winn-Dixie grocery stores to gain firsthand experience. The program also offers potential continued employment opportunities upon completion and graduation.