Jacksonville, Florida-based Southeastern Grocers is awarding $70,000 in college scholarships to 28 employees to help fund their future education.
The Southeastern Grocers scholarship program has provided more than $125,000 in scholarships since its founding in 2020. Each academic school year, interested employees with at least six months of tenure can apply for the program after obtaining a high school diploma or equivalent degree.
Each of the 28 scholarship recipients were awarded $2,500 from the grocer to help cover the cost of courses, books and more for the upcoming semester.
“At Southeastern Grocers, we passionately believe our people are our future,” said Raymond Rhee, chief people officer. “As a people-first company, we are committed to investing in our associates and helping them thrive during every stage of life.
“Our SEG Scholarship Program is one of many ways we help to propel our associates forward through education, growth and development in addition to job-specific trainings, professional development courses and GED completion programs. We are dedicated to fostering and supporting an inclusive environment where everyone can celebrate their differences and be their true, authentic selves, which is what makes Southeastern Grocers a great place to work.”
Southeastern Grocers invests inside and outside of its stores by empowering employees to set goals and make the most of their careers. Aimee Clesi, a recent University of Florida graduate, former SEG employee and one of this year’s Rhodes Scholars, personally credits her tenure at SEG for shaping her leadership skills.
“I began working at Harveys Supermarket during high school to save for college and continued working while attending the University of Florida where I double majored in philosophy and history,” Clesi said.
“During my tenure, I was able to gain experience working in every department, which taught me how to work well with others, be a team member, lead a team and provide exceptional customer service. SEG even allowed me to temporarily relocate to a Winn-Dixie in Tallahassee when my fellowship at the Supreme Court of Florida took me away from my home city so I could continue working and learning.
“While it was sometimes challenging to balance classes, my fellowship and work, I knew that while I was working, I was also gaining valuable lessons and real-life experiences that would help to shape my future.”
The grocer, in partnership with its charitable arm, the Southeastern Grocers Gives Foundation, actively supports the communities it serves throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi.
To date this year, the grocer has already donated nearly 10 million meals to alleviate hunger, funded more than 250 educational scholarships to the legacies of fallen and disabled service members through its partnership with Folds of Honor.
It is currently accepting applications for its Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant program to help address racial disparities in education, health care and food insecurity.
For more information, visit segrocers.com.
