MonPower establishes diversity scholarship for Power Plant Tech Program
Students pursuing careers in the power plant generation field are now eligible for a new scholarship offered at Youngstown State University.
Funded by MonPower, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., the FirstEnergy Fleet Operations Diversity Scholarship provides a $3,500 per year award, renewable for up to two years, to eligible minority and female students enrolled in YSU’s Power Plant Technology Program. Students who successfully complete the two-year program earn an associate’s degree and are prepared for entry-level employment in the utility industry.
The FirstEnergy Fleet Operations Diversity Scholarship is also available to students in the Energy Systems Operations Pathway at Pierpont Community and Technical College in Fairmont, W.V. Between the two schools, four scholarships are available each year.
“We thank FirstEnergy for supporting the YSU Power Plant Technologies program and this initiative to help improve diversity in the field,” said Dan Coyne, program coordinator and instructor in the Engineering Technology Department.
YSU’s Power Plant Technology Program prepares graduates to perform basic operating functions required in electric utility power plants and other related industries. Students gain knowledge in electrical theory, electrical machinery and controls, power plant operations, boiler, turbine, and generator operations, power plant instrumentation, and pollution control equipment. In addition, college writing, oral communications, and general education form an integral part of the program.
“Sustaining a high-performing team and attracting, retaining and developing a diverse, qualified workforce is vital for us to compete and succeed in today’s highly competitive job market,” said Dan Rossero, vice president, FirstEnergy Fleet Operations. “Supporting a culture where we respect differences while building a team that reflects the demographics of the workforce in regions we serve makes FirstEnergy and our communities stronger.”