Three-year educational program to support students with diverse backgrounds
MIDLAND, Mich. – Dow (NYSE: DOW), in collaboration with the Saginaw Community Foundation, Saginaw Public School District (SPSD) and Delta College announced the launch of the Dow Treasure Academy (DTA). The Academy is a three-year educational program to support a more equitable talent pipeline for students with diverse backgrounds.
“The Dow Treasure Academy has impacted my life by helping me learn about self-core values, my purpose and taking ownership and charge of my life,” said Roscoe Smith, DTA student. “My favorite part of the program has to be all the motivating conversations with the mentors and with Mr. Bowen and Ms. Ware. My other favorite part is all the rewards we get for being engaged. I hope to learn how to be a better me for myself and the people around me. I also want to know more about science.”
The DTA was created as part of Dow ACTs – a bold framework designed to address systemic racism and inequity within Dow and in the communities where the Company’s employees live and work.
“Dow ACTs stands for Advocacy, Community and Talent and it’s truly a holistic plan to address racism faced by the Black community in the U.S.,” said Don Gaertner, Dow human resources director and sponsor of the DTA. “Since launching Dow ACTs in 2020, I’m inspired by the leadership of our Global African Affinity Network, to take initiative and build on that plan — forming partnerships, like the DTA, and that employees from all backgrounds are providing support to ensure the success of these talented students.”
Through this educational initiative,18 freshman students from the SPSD will gain access to mentors, educational materials, field trips and project-based learning opportunities. Ten Dow employee mentors will spend approximately 1,800 hours over the next three years building relationships with students and helping to remove barriers to their development.
“This student academy is a true partnership of our community,” said Kareem Bowen, DTA executive director. “The first phase centers around students learning self-awareness and building a strong foundation of emotional intelligence, so they have the resiliency to build proficiency in core academics subjects like science, math and reading comprehension. We’re also introducing them to mentors, tutors and inspirational speakers from professional sport and business.”
Dow invests in programs such as the DTA to create sustainable, long-term positive change in the communities where the Company’s employees work and live. This program will support two of Dow’s strategic Global Citizenship priorities: Building inclusive communities and developing tomorrow’s innovators.
“We are committed to addressing the social, emotional and academic needs of students,” said Dr. Ramont Roberts, SPSD Superintendent. “I believe education is the great equalizer, and I live by the philosophy championed by the late Nelson Mandela, ‘It always seems impossible until it is done.’ The DTA is a great example of how parents, schools, businesses, community organizations and people who care can work together to improve the trajectory of our students’ lives.”
Additional community partners include Microsoft; Garber Management Group; Isabella Bank; First Ward Community Center; Covenant Health Care; Horizons; and Alpha Media Group.
