Miller Lite is partnering with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities to provide $180,000 in college scholarships and leadership development programs for 40 Hispanic students pursuing a higher education at a college or university.
Each of the 40 recipients also will get a spot at HACU’s ¡Adelante! Leadership Institute, a three-day career leadership and development networking symposium designed to build the career and leadership skills of undergraduate students.
This year’s Miller Lite scholarship program continues its longstanding relationship with HACU, a nonprofit that aims to improve access to and the quality of post-secondary educational opportunities for Hispanic students. Over the last two decades, Miller Lite has awarded more than $700,000 to HACU to help champion Hispanics in higher education.
“As a brand that believes in the power of being your authentic self, we recognize the importance of supporting future leaders with diverse perspectives and backgrounds,” says Allison Wallin, Miller Lite marketing manager at Molson Coors. “This is why every year Miller Lite works with HACU to provide college scholarships and professional development opportunities to the Hispanic community."
In past years, the brand has paired its partnership with HACU with its Miller Lite Conciertos Originales program, a multicity music series featuring prominent Latino artists. But with the shows called off this year due to safety concerns related to the global coronavirus pandemic, Miller Lite opted to up its investment with HACU by extending its scholarship program to more recipients.
This year, 32 scholarships of $2,500 will be awarded to college students in select cities in California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, New York, Texas, Wisconsin and Puerto Rico. Eight scholarships worth $5,000 will be awarded to eligible students in Houston. Scholarships are open to college students who are age 21 or older, attend a HACU-member institution in a participating market, and are U.S. citizens, permanent residents or DACA recipients. The deadline to submit applications is July 31.
With financial constraints listed as a primary factor, just 54% of Hispanic students are able to finish their bachelor’s degree within six years, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
That statistic is a key driver in Miller Lite’s and Molson Coors Beverage Co.’s continuing partnership with HACU, says Kayla Garcia, community affairs manager for Molson Coors.
“Molson Coors is committed to advance the Latinx and Hispanic communities and we continue to do so through our longtime partnerships, such as HACU,” she says.
HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores says in a statement: “We are thrilled to continue our longstanding partnership with Miller Lite (and) we hope to provide Hispanic students with more opportunities for years to come.”