Empowering Communities

DePaul College Prep Students Commit to STEM Education through the 2023 ComEd Scholars Program

May 26, 2023
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STEM is in the air! On Friday, May 5, ComEd representatives and DePaul College Prep staff celebrated three impressive high school juniors who have committed to continuing their science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education through the ComEd Scholars Program.

This year’s scholars will receive academic scholarships that provide financial support and mentorship through their academic careers at DePaul College Prep and afterward if they enroll in STEM-related studies at DePaul University. High school students who commit to STEM coursework in high school and in college can receive up to $60,000 in scholarship funding from ComEd over the course of their high school and college years.

The students admitted into the Class of 2024 ComEd Scholars Program from DePaul College Prep are:

  • Henry Bautista,a junior at DePaul College Prep and Albany Park resident who is passionate about math and science.
  • Josephine Favela,a junior at DePaul College Prep and Albany Park resident who is interested in pursuing a STEM career that helps combat climate change.
  • Gabriella Peña,a junior at DePaul College Prep and Lincoln Square resident who is excited about using STEM to access new learning opportunities.

“We know that addressing our biggest energy and environmental challenges will require a bright and diverse local workforce of problem-solvers,” said Gil Quiniones, CEO of ComEd. “We congratulate these three, exceptional students from DePaul College Prep for answering the call and considering a career in STEM. This program is just one way that ComEd is working to recruit and prepare the best and the brightest from our communities to help build our clean energy future.”

“We are proud and thankful for this long-lasting partnership between DePaul College Prep, ComEd, and DePaul University,” said Mary Dempsey, president of DePaul College Prep. “The mentorship and support that ComEd offers our students is immeasurable. We are grateful for their dedication to building the next generation of STEM leaders.”

For the last seven years, the DePaul College Prep scholarship, part of the ComEd Scholars program, has helped Chicago-area students explore careers in STEM. To date, the program has provided over $187,000 to 24 DePaul College Prep students as they prepare for jobs in the clean energy and STEM fields—including one student who has joined Constellation, a new power generation company created as a result of separation from ComEd’s parent company Exelon.

The DePaul College Prep Scholars program builds on ComEd’s work and commitment to increase diverse, local representation in STEM-focused careers. In 2022, ComEd reached over 2,000 participants in the Chicago area through education and workforce development programs including ComEd’s Youth Ambassador Program, in-person career fairs and other scholarship programs.​​​​

If you are interested in the various scholarship and mentorship opportunities ComEd offers, visit ComEd.com/Education.