Berkshire Bank grant supports first-generation students, new internship program at Salve

Salve Regina has announced a grant from Berkshire Bank that will directly fund scholarships for first-generation undergraduate students and support the development of a new internship program for students pursuing degrees in business, finance and marketing. Berkshire is a leading, socially responsible community bank with financial centers in New England and New York.

Berkshire executives visited with Salve Regina leadership and students on several occasions during the University’s 75th anniversary celebration in 2022-2023. The grant, made through the bank’s foundation, not only commemorates Salve Regina’s historic milestone but also supports the University’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to education and bolstering community-based learning opportunities that bridge workforce gaps and create pathways of upward mobility for traditionally underserved families.

“At Berkshire, we believe that building stronger communities requires a better approach to banking,” said Cristina Feden, Berkshire Bank’s regional president. “Working with the Rhode Island community to improve the overall quality of life to help support personal and financial growth is important. We are pleased to work with Salve Regina and provide support helping students reach their educational potential. It was great to spend time with the students and learning about their college journey and milestones.”

Jim Fowler, Salve Regina’s vice president for enrollment management, said Berkshire Bank’s support in establishing an internship program for business students serves as an example of how community partnerships can augment experiential learning opportunities for students in highly intentional ways, ensuring that future graduates will have the skills and competencies that employers are demanding.

“We know that families are expecting colleges today to do more than just provide the curricular knowledge base that their generations received,” Fowler said. “They are expecting their students to leave college with career-ready competencies that will allow them to transition seamlessly to post-graduate success. Partnerships like the one we’ve developed with Berkshire Bank are critical in helping us deliver on that promise.”