Miami, Feb. 10, 2025 – Miami Dade College (MDC) and the PepsiCo Foundation have partnered to offer the 2025 PepsiCo Foundation S.M.I.L.E Scholars program, a scholarship and support services program designed for MDC graduates from underserved and under resourced communities seeking to transfer to a four-year university to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
“As Miami Dade College joins hands with the PepsiCo Foundation in yet another student-centered endeavor, we are together amplifying pathways to social mobility and sustainable generational growth,” said Dr. Malou C. Harrison, MDC Executive Vice President and Provost. “There is a great need to support students’ transfer aspirations toward upper division studies and beyond.”
The S.M.I.L.E (Success Matters in Life & Education) Scholars program is a part of the PepsiCo Foundation’s broader commitment to dismantling economic barriers for underserved communities and unlocking access to education, employment and prosperity.
The PepsiCo Foundation community college program, including the S.M.I.L.E Scholars program, is designed with a holistic approach to promote access to educational advancement by addressing obstacles that disproportionately impact students from underserved communities such as retention, completion, and workforce readiness. The scholarship is specifically designed for first-generation college students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.
“We believe in the power of community colleges as a unique pathway for students seeking an affordable and flexible education, which creates economic opportunities and enables them to secure jobs in industries with growth potential,” said C.D. Glin, Global Head of Philanthropy, PepsiCo & President, The PepsiCo Foundation. “Through the S.M.I.L.E scholarship, the PepsiCo Foundation and Miami Dade College are proud to work together, continuing to break down barriers of inequality and feeding the potential of students who aspire to continue their educational journey.”
The S.M.I.L.E Scholars program is unique in that it provides more than just financial support. The PepsiCo Foundation is committed to providing support services including access to emergency grants, mentorship, networking, financial literacy courses and access to career coaching to help position scholars for future success. The S.M.I.L.E. scholarship can be used for education costs, along with expenses for childcare, transportation, and basic living costs.
The S.M.I.L.E. Scholars program is open to MDC graduates, with preference given to students in select business or STEM fields. Eligible students can apply through March 10 through Scholarship America at learnmore.scholarsapply.org/pepsicosmile/.
About the PepsiCo Foundation
The PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of PepsiCo, invests in the essential elements of a sustainable food system with a mission to support thriving communities. Working with non-profits and experts around the globe, we’re focused on helping communities obtain access to food security, safe water and economic opportunity. We strive for tangible impact in the places where we live and work—collaborating with industry peers, local and international organizations, and our employees to affect large-scale change on the issues that matter to us and are of global importance. Learn more at www.pepsicofoundation.com.
About Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College (MDC) is the most diverse institution in the nation, with 167 nations and 63 languages represented in its student body. The college’s eight campuses and outreach centers offer over 300 distinct degree pathways, including associate and baccalaureate degrees, certifications and apprenticeships. MDC is the recipient of many top national awards, including the prestigious Aspen Prize. The College changes lives through accessible, high-quality teaching and learning experiences. It is home to the Miami Culinary Institute, the Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex, the Miami Fashion Institute, The Idea Center, the Cybersecurity Center of the Americas, two AI Centers, the Center for Learning, Innovation and Simulation at the Medical Campus, the Business Innovation & Technology Center, the School for Advanced Studies and New World School of the Arts, among others. MDC has been recognized among the nation’s “Great Colleges to Work For” since the program’s inception. The College serves as an economic, cultural and civic leader for the advancement of our diverse global community. MDC alumni and employees contribute more than $3 billion annually to the local economy, and graduates occupy top leadership positions in every major industry. MDC’s renowned rich cultural programming includes the Miami Book Fair, Miami Film Festival, the National Historic Landmark Miami Freedom Tower, Koubek Center Mansion and Gardens, Live Arts Miami at MDC, the Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Florida Moving Image Archives, and the Museum of Art and Design. MDC has admitted more than 2.5 million students and counting, since it opened its doors in 1960. Approximately 125,000 students are currently enrolled. For more information, visit www.mdc.edu.