Ford Motor Company Announces $1 Million Grant for New Global Scholars Program and Expansion of Existing Leaders Scholarship Initiative

Washington, D.C. – Thanks to a $1 million grant from Ford Motor Company, many more students will have the opportunity to participate in The Washington Center for Internship and Academic Seminar’s internship program.  The grant will fund the establishment of the new Ford Motor Company Global Scholars Program and the expansion of the existing Leaders Scholarship Initiative. 

Twenty-four honors students – twelve from the United States and twelve from foreign nations – will be invited to participate in the new Ford Motor Company Global Scholars Program.  During the fifteen-week spring 2008 semester, these students will receive academic training and real-world work experience.  Programming will be a combination of theoretic and experiential components.  The program’s goal is to groom participants to become community leaders who can address the many socio-economic issues that affect the well-being and sustainability of global communities and their citizens.  Students will develop skills that are essential for 21st century workforce development.  These include critical analysis; collaboration and negotiation; communication and writing skills; and decision making.

The objective of the Leaders Scholarship Initiative is to empower students from diverse backgrounds to embrace global innovation and enterprise.  This is accomplished through their participation in a U.S. based internship program or through an internship abroad experience.  Students receive results-oriented programming and leadership training focused on the value of business and social development for global innovation. "Ford has a long history of helping make a difference in our global communities through support of innovative educational programs and partnerships, Ziad Ojakli, group vice president of government and community relations, said. 

"The Ford Motor Company Global Scholars program is an extraordinary opportunity for young people to set a positive path for their future."

The number of students in the Leaders Scholarship Initiative, which supports students from underrepresented areas, will be expanded from 10 students per year to forty-eight students – sixteen each year for three years – beginning with the spring 2008 semester.  Individual diversity scholarship award amounts will vary depending on students’ financial needs.  The scholarships may be coupled with matching grants in states in which Ford Motor Company has a presence or an interest.  Florida, Ohio and Kentucky are examples of these states. 

“This generous support from Ford Motor Company will increase the diversity and number of students we will welcome to Washington, D.C. next year.  We look forward to providing them the dynamic academic programs and real-world work experience of our internships,” Michael Smith, president of The Washington Center, said.  “We greatly appreciate the support and vision of Ford Motor Company in helping develop the world’s future leaders.”

The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars is an independent, non-profit educational organization founded in 1975.  Its mission is to prepare college and university students for civic leadership through experiential education.  In this way, The Washington Center seeks to promote future leadership for the private, public and nonprofit sectors of society.  It has served more than 35,000 students from close to 1,000 colleges and universities located in the United States and around the world.  For additional information, please visit our website at www.twc.edu.

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents.  With about 260,000 employees and about 100 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda.  The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.  For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.fordvehicles.com.

Dates & Deadlines

Competitive Deadline for Fall Semester, Quarter and Postgraduate 2008 is May 2, 2008.

Deadline for Fall 2008 Washington, D.C.-London Internship Program is May 23, 2008

Regular deadline for Fall Semester, Quarter and Postgraduate 2008 is June 13, 2008. 

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