"Today, we are changing the lives of Charlotteans on our way to transforming Charlotte," said Queens University President Dan Lugo as he welcomed senior executives from Lowe's Companies Inc. to announce details of the Charlotte Talent Initiative (CTI), a newly established partnership designed to expand Charlotte's talent pipeline while also impacting the lives of low-income graduates of local high schools.
"Higher education should serve to create a level playing field for driven individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic background. That’s what economic mobility is all about," Lugo said in his remarks. "Queens University of Charlotte might be the best in the city and in the county and in the entire state in creating upward mobility, but our role in this community means we must continue to create more opportunities for the people of Charlotte." Marvin Ellison, Lowe's chairman and chief executive officer, along with Lowe's senior executives Janice Dupré, executive vice president of human resources; Margi Vagell, senior vice president and general merchandising manager; and Joel Cogdell, division president, South Division; presented the $2.5 million check to formalize the Lowe's partnership.
"From an early age, my father taught me that education is the path out of poverty," Ellison said. "I worked my way through college … and went from making $4.35 an hour … to being the first Black Chairman and CEO of one of the world’s largest retailers. So, I know firsthand the power of education … and the impact it has when someone empowers you to go out and take on life’s challenges." CTI, a partnership between organizations in Mecklenburg County and Queens will create pipelines of socioeconomically diverse and talented university graduates to contribute to the most pressing organizational needs of partner organizations.
The annual Lowe's investment over four years will provide full-tuition scholarships for students in the Lowe's cohort. "We are beyond honored to have Lowe's as our first corporate partner in this bold effort that begins to level the playing field for talented young people, while also fueling Charlotte's engine of economic mobility," Lugo said. "We at Queens, are honored to build upon the legacy of creating opportunity with today's announcement." The Lowe's partnership will enable Queens to infuse curricular and co-curricular management experiences throughout the student experience. The program will provide students with an authentic application of learning while providing Lowe's with a pipeline of valuable interns and graduates. "Collaborative college and career readiness efforts like the Charlotte Talent Initiative are putting low-income students on the path toward achieving economic mobility,” said Sherri Chisholm, executive director for Leading on Opportunity. "Queens' and Lowe's commitment to these students' success through education combined with mentorship and internship opportunities will help them be successful in the classroom and life. These types of partnerships will help us close the economic mobility gap – one family at a time." The first Lowe's student cohort will begin in the 2022 Fall semester. Students will take a suite of management, business and leadership courses designed and developed in partnership with Lowe's while pursuing a major in their chosen field of interest.
"This first partnership is the beginning of an extraordinary journey – where the excellence that has endured throughout the history of Queens, extends well beyond the Queens campus. I could not be more grateful and pleased to have Lowe's take the first step in this journey with us," Lugo said.
"Together we will make Queens a top destination for talented students from some of the most under-resourced areas of our city and county… who will go on to make meaningful contributions to our diverse community."
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