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Our "Mae-A-Difference" series celebrates team members making a positive impact in the communities where we live, work, and serve. In 2023, a dedicated group of 16 Sallie Mae team members from the Newark office delivered over 800 meals to those in need in New Castle County through City Fare Meals on Wheels. Originating in Philadelphia in 1954, Meals on Wheels’ mission is to improve the health and quality of life of seniors in the community, so no one is left hungry or isolated. Volunteers deliver nutritious meals to seniors while fostering social connections and providing safety checks to support the health and independence of the recipient. “The volunteers at City Fare Meals on Wheels are the backbone of the program. We wouldn’t be able to help so many without those who are willing to deliver,” said Dana LeNoir, Volunteer Coordinator for City Fare Meals on Wheels. “We are very grateful to all the volunteers at Sallie Mae who have stepped up to help us fill the void.” Inspired by a desire to make a difference and help address hunger in their communities, members of the volunteer team expressed feeling a personal connection to this program. “Whatever our motivation, we each come away from the experience feeling that we’ve benefitted at least as much as the Meals on Wheels client!” said Karen Thuresson, coordinator of this volunteer effort. Thank you to this dedicated team for continuing to bring our mission to life!
Yesterday, Dec. 7, marked the beginning of the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah – also known as the Festival of Lights. Over the next eight days and remaining seven nights, the Jewish community will remember and reflect on how their ancestors reclaimed the Holy Temple, and then rededicated it to God. Hanukkah also celebrates the miracle where a day's supply of oil allowed a candelabra, known as a "menorah" in the rededicated Temple in Jerusalem, to miraculously remain lit for eight days. Here are some ways this important holiday is observed. Hanukkah Traditions Hanukkah is primarily celebrated at home, rather than in a synagogue. To commemorate the oil that miraculously lasted for eight days, Jewish families will recite blessings and light candles on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. In addition to lighting the menorah together, families also cook and eat foods such as potato latkes and sufganiyot, play dreidel games, and sing Hanukkah songs. Gift-giving has also become a tradition of Hanukkah. Some families may give several gifts each night, while others may choose to give monetary gifts or make a donation to a nonprofit or charitable organization. Giving the gift of time through volunteering is also a common tradition during this holiday. We wish you a safe, bright, and Happy Hanukkah!
November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich and diverse culture, traditions, and histories, and important contributions of Native Americans. It's also a time to raise awareness about the unique challenges Native American people have faced and the obstacles Indigenous communities still face today. How It Began In 1986, President Reagan proclaimed the week of Nov. 23-30, 1986, as "American Indian Week." However, in 1990 President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November as "National American Indian Heritage Month." Every President since has issued annual proclamations designating the month of November as the time to celebrate the culture, accomplishments, and contributions of the first inhabitants of the United States. To learn more about the Native American Heritage and how to celebrate this month, attend an upcoming event, visit a nearby exhibition, listen to a podcast, or explore the many other resources available on the Smithsonian website! Happy Native American Heritage Month!
Oct. 9 marks Indigenous Peoples' Day, an official holiday that honors Native Americans and commemorates their cultures and the contributions they have made to history. The day, which coincides with Columbus Day, recognizes those lost to genocide and Western colonization. In 1977, the United Nations International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas proposed that Indigenous Peoples' Day replace Columbus Day. Today, at least 10 states, 10 universities and more than 130 cities across 34 states now observe Indigenous Peoples' Day as an alternative to Columbus Day. To all of our Native American team members and customers, Happy Indigenous Peoples' Day!
The Sallie Mae Fund is proud to again partner with HBCU WEEK FOUNDATION, INC. to support the HBCU Week College Fair in Wilmington, Del. on Sept. 22. The College Fair gives students the opportunity to meet one-on-one with HBCU admissions officers and partners, apply for internships, access free tools and resources like Sallie Mae’s free scholarship tool Scholly, and potentially get on-the-spot acceptance and scholarships. Looking forward to another great event! #HBCUWeek #CollegeFair #Scholarships
We take pride in fostering a workplace culture that empowers and supports our team members, and we’re proud to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best Companies to Work For:
Supreme Court Ruling on Federal Student Debt Cancellation Should Be a Wake-Up Call Our CEO, Jon Witter recently penned an op-ed for The Hill highlighting a variety of common-sense solutions to constructively reform the broken federal higher education system to support students and limit overborrowing. "If we fail to make significant structural reforms to the federal higher education system, another generation of students and families will inevitably face the same hurdles so many face today. The Supreme Court's decision is a call for us to come together and work toward meaningful reform," he wrote. Read the full piece below.
As an education solutions company, we strive to reach our customers in creative ways, sharing resources and providing insights to support students and families as they navigate to, through, and immediately after higher education journeys. As a result, we're excited to share that two of our innovative campaigns were recently recognized with two prestigious awards. Our Bridging the Dream Scholarship for High School Students campaign for National Scholarship Month has been recognized with a PRNEWS Digital Award in the LinkedIn and Twitter Campaign categories. This award acknowledges the year's most outstanding digital communicators and their campaigns. Our award-winning campaign shared the stories of 25 high school student recipients, highlighting the profound impact of scholarships in supporting students, especially those from underserved communities, to access higher education. Earlier this year, the campaign also received a MUSE Creative Award.
During today’s GMA broadcast, we surprised Brandon Tsay – the heroic 26-year-old man who stopped a mass shooting targeting the Asian-American community in Southern California – with a $20,000 scholarship to complete college. Brandon left college early to take care of his mother while she battled cancer and to manage his family’s ballroom dance studio. We're thrilled we can play a part in helping him return to school, earn his degree, and use it to continue to make an impact in his community and to help others.
Powering Confidence with Vince Papale This month on Second Tuesday, former Sallie Mae team member and Philadelphia Eagles legend, Vince Papale visited our Newark headquarters for an engaging and inspiring conversation about powering confidence and overcoming adversity. Sharing details about the people and experiences that shaped his life, Vince spoke candidly about the many obstacles he faced growing up and his own mother’s struggles with mental illness. Vince also revealed behind-the-scenes stories about the hit movie “Invincible” based on his incredible journey playing for the Philadelphia Eagles as the oldest rookie in the NFL and shared fond memories of his time working on the Sales team at Sallie Mae. Thank you to the team involved in making this installment of Second Tuesday a success!
