Scholarship program to boost El Paso workforce development

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Sentry establishes scholarship program to aid students, invest in El Paso’s future.

EL PASO, Texas (August 21, 2023)—Sentry Insurance, which recently opened its newest field office in El Paso, Texas, announced today that it has established a scholarship program at area colleges.

The Sentry scholarship program, facilitated by the Sentry Foundation, will provide financial assistance to students at the University of Texas–El Paso and El Paso Community College. Preference will be given to students with financial needs from the El Paso area who demonstrate resiliency, a positive attitude, and drive to succeed regardless of obstacles or hurdles they face in life.

“Sentry scholarships are an important part of our commitment to building a robust workforce,” said Elisha Williams, Chief Customer Services Officer at Sentry Insurance and a member of the Sentry Foundation board of directors.

“By supporting education and workforce development opportunities, we can help to level the playing field for students who may have faced obstacles in their lives. We believe that everyone deserves a chance to succeed, and that education is the foundation of that success.”

For the 2023–2024 school year, the Sentry Foundation will provide two scholarships at $2,500 per year to University of Texas–El Paso students, and two scholarships at $1,000 per to El Paso Community College students. When fully funded, starting in 2026 and each year thereafter, the Sentry scholarship program will offer eight $2,500 scholarships per year to University of Texas–El Paso students, and four scholarships of $1,000 per year to El Paso Community College students.

“We are grateful for the generous support of Sentry Insurance and appreciate their commitment to the El Paso community,” said Lori Cook, Associate Vice President of Development, University of Texas at El Paso. “These scholarships will enhance the experience of our students and ensure that financial barriers do not get in the way of their educational success.”

Keri Moe, Associate Vice President of External Relations, Communications, and Development for El Paso Community College, added: “The Sentry scholarship program is a meaningful investment in the future of our community, providing vital support to students who face obstacles in their pursuit of higher education. We’re grateful to Sentry for empowering these students with the resources they need to succeed.”

Hiring still underway at Sentry’s El Paso field office

Sentry, headquartered in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, is one of the largest and most financially secure mutual insurance groups in the United States. Company leaders chose to establish their newest field office in El Paso in December 2022. Located in a 60,000-square-foot-building at 1575 Resler Drive, the office provides personal and commercial lines claims and customer service support. Sentry has already hired 85 employees to staff the office and expects to employ up to 300 people in El Paso by 2028, including claims and customer service representatives, managers, support staff, and information technology workers.

“We’re thrilled to have opened our newest field office in El Paso and further enhance our presence in the western part of the country,” Williams said. “The decision to expand to El Paso was driven by several key factors, including its large bilingual workforce, growing and diversified economy, and strong talent pipeline. We’re excited to be a part of this this vibrant community and contribute to its continued growth and success.”

With the opening of the El Paso location, Sentry now has 24 field and regional offices throughout the country. The office operates under Sentry’s companywide hybrid work model, with three days of in-office, face-to-face work bookended by two work-from-home days.

In addition to the scholarships in El Paso, Sentry Insurance provides financial assistance to students who face obstacles at 11 other universities and colleges across the country, totaling 88 scholarships per year when fully funded. The company also offers $510,900 annually in scholarships to students at 24 universities and colleges in Wisconsin and on Maui, where The Sentry—a PGA TOUR Signature Event—is played, and through the National Merit Organization.