Aramark Partners with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to Launch the Aramark HBCU Emerging Leaders Program
PHILADELPHIA–Aramark (NYSE: ARMK), the provider of food, facilities, and uniform services to millions of people in 19 countries around the world, today announced a new partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community, to launch the Aramark HBCU Emerging Leaders Program.
The HBCU Emerging Leaders Program will offer 15 students from HBCUs a two-day immersion at Aramark’s headquarters in Philadelphia, PA, focusing on career exploration and professional development. Alabama A&M University, Alabama State University, Bowie State University, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Florida A&M University, Norfolk State University, Tuskegee University, and Winston Salem State University will all be represented.
Students attending this immersion will have the opportunity to engage in planned simulations, network with executive leadership, participate in discussions about internships and post-graduation career opportunities, and provide Aramark with vital consumer insights.
“We are incredibly excited to partner with an organization committed to ensuring that HBCU students have concrete professional experiences and access to leadership opportunities,” said Camille Mosley, Vice President for HBCU Engagement with Aramark Collegiate Hospitality. “TMCF ensures that its students are thriving in a broad range of places and spaces as they embark on their careers. We are privileged to be a part of this journey.”
This fully sponsored, highly competitive program was open to students majoring in hospitality, culinary arts, business management, economics, marketing, information technology, retail management, human resources, supply chain management, accounting, finance, project management, and management information systems. This breadth of studies reflects the wide range of opportunities at a multi-national enterprise like Aramark.
The HBCU Emerging Leaders Program kicks off with a welcome reception hosted by Aramark’s Collegiate Hospitality leadership and members of LEAD, Aramark’s employee resource group dedicated to team members who self-identify as Black, African American, West Indian, or of African descent, as well as allies. The following day includes a tour of the corporate headquarters, meetings with executives, career development sessions, and an open exchange with Aramark employees who graduated from HBCUs. The final day will include immersive experience participating in the annual LEAD ERG summit.
“We are delighted to partner with Aramark for the upcoming HBCU Emerging Leaders program in Philadelphia,” said Dr. Harry Williams, President and CEO of Thurgood Marshall College Fund. “This is another example of a strategic partnership that allows us to work with companies to achieve their DEI goals. It’s also great that our participating students are being exposed to all the terrific careers in the hospitality industry.”
As part of Aramark’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Aramark proudly supports Historically Black Colleges and Universities and is committed to an equitable workplace, engaging employees and building trust in an environment where differences are valued.
“This program was named Emerging Leaders because we look to these students as the future of our industry and Aramark,” said Jack Donovan, CEO and President of Aramark Collegiate Hospitality. “This partnership demonstrates our commitment to HBCU institutions and the students that they serve. We can’t wait to see how our program participants leverage their potential, and we hope that this experience supports their pathways to success.”
Aramark’s commitment to people is a core part of the company’s environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) plan, Be Well. Do Well., focused on positively impacting people and the planet. Aramark’s people priority is to facilitate access to opportunities that will improve the well-being of the company’s employees, consumers, communities, and people in its supply chain.
ABOUT ARAMARK
Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves the world’s leading educational institutions, Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, prominent healthcare providers, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 19 countries around the world with food, facilities, and uniform services. Because our culture is rooted in service, our employees strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and the planet. Aramark has been recognized on FORTUNE’s list of “World’s Most Admired Companies,” DiversityInc’s “Top 50 Companies for Diversity” and “Top Companies for Employee Resource Groups,” Newsweek’s list of “America’s Most Responsible Companies 2023,” the HRC’s “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality,” and scored 100% on the Disability Equality Index. Learn more at www.aramark.com.
ABOUT THE THURGOOD MARSHALL COLLEGE FUND
Established in 1987, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. TMCF member-schools include the publicly supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black Institutions, enrolling nearly 80% of all students attending black colleges and universities. Through scholarships, capacity building and research initiatives, innovative programs, and strategic partnerships, TMCF is a vital resource in the K-12 and higher education space. The organization is also the source of top employers seeking top talent for competitive internships and good jobs. TMCF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization. For more information about TMCF, visit: www.tmcf.org.
