Jackson State University and Cadence Bank, formerly BancorpSouth, are working to build community by establishing an academic scholarship for College of Business students with a commitment of $60,000. Funds will be disbursed over three years.
The financial organization also offers a pipeline of summer internships and job placement for interested students without specification of major.
“This is not a start but a continuation of the type of opportunities and initiatives we are creating for our students to elevate and gain experience in conventional industries that will give them lifelong skills,” said Elayne Hayes-Anthony, Ph.D., acting president of JSU. “We are looking at great things happening through our collaboration with Cadence Bank, and we are grateful for their investment in our students.”
According to Michael Booker, president of Hinds County for Cadence Bank, the partnership speaks to Jackson State’s ability to deliver solid students for the growing economy.
“And, of course, have productive citizens that can lead Jackson State and the workforce at Cadence Bank and be competitive,” he said.
Booker added that the funds will enable students to complete their academic journey while attracting them to the bank’s employment opportunities.
“We have training programs for graduates and internships. We hope they will become analysts, lenders, managers, and bank administrators over time,” he said.
Rosemary Cargin is the first vice president of Cadence Bank. She is also a JSU alumna.
“I think it is going to be a great union. I am so excited that we are finally able to give back. It has been something we have been working on for years, and it has finally come to fruition, and we are looking forward to working with the acting president and her staff,” she said.
Cargin shared that she believes JSU students will receive the same chance she received as a graduate.
“Somebody saw something in me that I probably did not even see and asked me to come and work for a bank. Here I am 40 years later, still with a bank, not the same bank, but in the banking industry,” Cargin explained. “I want to see something like that happen now for our talented students here.”
Cadence Bank (NYSE: CADE) is a leading regional banking franchise with approximately $50 billion in assets and more than 400 branch locations across the South, Midwest and Texas. Cadence provides consumers, businesses and corporations with a full range of innovative banking and financial solutions. Services and products include consumer banking, consumer loans, mortgages, home equity lines and loans, credit cards, commercial and business banking, treasury management, specialized lending, asset-based lending, commercial real estate, equipment financing, correspondent banking, SBA lending, foreign exchange, wealth management, investment and trust services, financial planning, retirement plan management, and personal and business insurance. Cadence is committed to a culture of respect, diversity and inclusion in both its workplace and communities. Cadence Bank, Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.