Southeastern Grocers Inc. has awarded $75,000 in higher education scholarships to 25 in-store and store support center employees. It also hosted a summer internship program to provide educational support and hands-on professional development opportunities for future leaders.
“Empowering our associates and nurturing the next generation of leaders is an investment in the future,” said Raymond Rhee, chief people officer for Southeastern Grocers.
“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.”
Each scholarship recipient will receive $3,000 to cover the costs of courses and books for the upcoming semester. Since the inception of its scholarship program in 2020, Southeastern Grocers has awarded $287,000 to employees. Each school year, those interested 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 is also reflected in its internship program. Over the course of 12 weeks, the 13 summer interns, including international students, worked with leaders across various departments, including accounting and finance, digital marketing, communications, HR, IT, marketing, e-commerce, merchandising and operations.
Through the paid internship, the rising college juniors and seniors participated in more than 30 business workshops, personal and professional development sessions, networking opportunities, 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.
Recently, SEG was recognized by Newsweek’s 2024 America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity list with a four-star rating for the second consecutive year for its dedication to supporting a diverse workforce and fostering a culture of inclusion.
Last year, SEG also received certification as a Great Place to Work for the fourth consecutive year; was recognized on Fortune’s Best Workplaces in Retail list, which uses employee feedback to highlight the top 20 companies with workplace cultures that reflect a genuine commitment to meet associates’ needs; and America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women in recognition of the grocer’s efforts to provide superior work-life balance and develop female leaders in the workforce, among other top recognition awards.
[RELATED: Southeastern Grocers Ranks Among Most Trustworthy Companies]
SEG has nine associate resource groups for employees, including Mobility, Support, Accessibility and Inclusion in the Community (MOSAIC), Women’s Development Network, Emerging Leaders, SEG Pride, Pa’lante, African Americans FOCUS, Asians and Pacific Islanders for Resource and Education (ASPIRE), Military Families and Working Parents Network.
The grocer also established its Empowered Leadership, Advance Leadership and Next Degree Leadership programs to help employees reach their full potential and foster a culture of growth, empowerment and improvement.
