Duke Energy Aims To Increase Graduation Rates in Greater Cincinnati With $100,000 Foundation Grant to Moon Shot for Equity

Rhea-AI Summary

Duke Energy has announced a $100,000 grant from its foundation to support the Moon Shot for Equity initiative aimed at increasing college graduation rates among underserved students in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. This initiative collaborates with four local higher education institutions, which will receive direct financial assistance and aid in creating an online resources portal. Key strategies focus on enhancing access to financial aid, improving transfer pathways, coordinating university services, and removing unnecessary registration holds. The grant reflects Duke Energy's commitment to bridging equity gaps in higher education.

Positive

• Duke Energy's $100,000 grant supports underserved students in Greater Cincinnati, promoting educational equity.
• Collaboration with four regional colleges enhances community engagement and student support.
• Initiative focuses on critical strategies like enhanced financial aid access and streamlined transfer processes.

Negative

• None.

• Program will provide services for underserved students experiencing significant challenges to degree completion

CINCINNATI, OH / ACCESSWIRE / March 9, 2023 / Duke Energy announced a $100,000 Foundation grant to support regional advancement of the Moon Shot for Equity initiative. This collaborative effort with local higher education institutions is designed to graduate more Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky students from college. The program will provide assistance to underserved students experiencing significant challenges to degree completion.

"Duke Energy is proud to invest in the success of our local students," said Amy Spiller, president of Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky. "It is critically important to acknowledge equity gaps in higher education and take action to reduce those gaps. By supporting today's students, we are ensuring a vibrant economy for the future."

Four local higher education institutions are participating: Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, Gateway Community & Technical College, Miami University Regionals and Northern Kentucky University. The Duke Energy Foundation grant will provide direct assistance to each university as well as support to help with the creation of the online resources portal.

"We are grateful not only for Duke Energy Foundation's generous support, but also for their inherent leadership to support the regional Moon Shot for Equity program," said Dr. Ande R. Durojaiye, vice president and dean, Miami University Regionals, College of Liberal Arts and Applied Science. "With this support, we can ensure degree completion for some of our region's at-risk and underserved community, and accelerate meeting the workforce development needs in the Greater Cincinnati area."

The Moon Shot initiative focuses on four key strategies:

1. Enhancing access to need-based financial aid.
2. Streamlining transfer pathways by ensuring transferability of college credits between institutions.
3. Coordinating between key university offices and services, from financial aid and career advising to student health and counseling, to promote a holistic care model fostering student success.
4. Eliminating and revising registration holds that are unnecessary and burdensome to students.

For more information on the Moon Shot for Equity program, visit the program website.

View original content here.

Duke Energy Foundation

The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation contributes more than $30 million annually in charitable gifts and is funded by Duke Energy shareholder dollars. More information about the Foundation can be found at duke-energy.com/foundation.

Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky

Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides electric service to 880,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in a 3,000-square-mile service area, and natural gas service to 550,000 customers in a 2,650-square-mile service area, in Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 28,000 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2022 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "World's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Contact: Casey Kroger
Office: 513.287.1051
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
Twitter: @DE_CaseyK

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Duke Energy on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:
Spokesperson: Duke Energy
Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/duke-energy
Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Duke Energy

View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/742963/Duke-Energy-Aims-To-Increase-Graduation-Rates-in-Greater-Cincinnati-With-100000-Foundation-Grant-to-Moon-Shot-for-Equity

FAQ

What is the purpose of Duke Energy's $100,000 grant announced on March 9, 2023?

The grant supports the Moon Shot for Equity initiative to help underserved students in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky graduate from college.

Which institutions are involved in the Moon Shot for Equity initiative?

The initiative involves Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, Gateway Community & Technical College, Miami University Regionals, and Northern Kentucky University.

How does Duke Energy's initiative aim to improve graduation rates?

The initiative focuses on enhancing access to financial aid, streamlining transfer pathways, coordinating university services, and removing unnecessary registration holds.

What is the significance of Duke Energy's investment in education?

Duke Energy's investment aims to reduce equity gaps in higher education and contribute to workforce development in the region.

Is the Moon Shot for Equity initiative limited to a specific area?

Yes, it specifically targets underserved students in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.