JPL and its sister company, d’Vinci Interactive, are pleased to support a new scholarship program for students from Harrisburg University and Central Penn College with financial need who are interested in entering related marketing, communications and training industries.
At Harrisburg University (HU), two students will receive a JPL/d’Vinci scholarship which, when combined with assistance from the University, will cover the full cost of tuition. HU students whose majors include coursework in digital marketing, advanced media production, user experience design and purposeful game design will have internship and other collaboration opportunities at JPL and d’Vinci to enrich their educational experiences.
Top Left: Allison Thalen (HU). Top Right: Scott Stephens (HU). Bottom Left: Amanda Kelly (Central Penn). Bottom Right: Emmilee Brown (Central Penn).
“I’m excited for our students to get hands-on experience in the industry and see how they start to approach projects differently through their experiences at JPL and d’Vinci,” said HU’s Executive Director, Center for Advanced Entertainment and Learning Technologies Charles Palmer. The scholars program is a natural extension of our longstanding partnership with JPL and d’Vinci,” he added.
The first Harrisburg University JPL/d’Vinci Scholars are Scott Stephens, who is majoring in Interactive Media with a focus on UX Design, and Allison Thalen, who is studying UI/UX.
“Receiving this scholarship means that I can fully immerse myself in my education and related learning experiences. Money was the biggest obstacle preventing me from furthering my studies, and I don’t think I would be where I am now without this opportunity,” she said.
“This scholarship offers numerous opportunities for me to observe how my passions are applied to specific careers. I believe that my time at JPL will provide me with experiences that will influence which path I want to take,” Thalen added.
The first Central Penn College JPL/d’Vinci Scholars are Emmilee Brown and Amanda Kelly, who are both studying Corporate Communications.
“My hopes for the JPL experience have already been surpassed! I didn’t expect the staff to be so warm, kind, and willing to mentor. I look forward to an amazing relationship with JPL. Being in the presence of the employees invigorated my soul and cemented my vision for my future career,” shared Kelly.
The scholarship grows the decades-long relationship between the organizations which includes employing several of the school’s graduates.
“We are pleased to deepen our longstanding relationship with JPL and d’Vinci to support our students through this scholarship program. Beyond the financial assistance, allowing our students to have real-world experiences are invaluable and potentially life-changing,” said Michael Fedor, Central Penn College’s Chief Strategy Officer & Vice President, Advancement & Strategic Initiatives.
As part of their commitment to DE&I, JPL and d’Vinci provide educational and career development opportunities for underrepresented groups in advertising, creative design, media production, web development, and related marketing and learning technologies.
