Henkel North America Announces New DEI Scholarship and Internship Programs

ROCKY HILL, Conn., March 4, 2021  /3BL Media/ - Henkel, the company behind well-known brands such as Loctite^®, Dial^®, Right Guard^®, Schwarzkopf^®, and Persil^®, has announced new scholarship and internship programs in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across Henkel businesses. As an important part of Henkel’s broader commitment to accelerating DEI, these programs will help build leadership, education, and career opportunities that strongly support future growth in underrepresented communities and diverse representation of Henkel employees, as well as the company’s early talent pipeline for diverse talent.

With an initial investment of over $600,000, the initiative will be granted and rolled out over the next year. This investment will include $445,000 to help establish the Henkel Diversity Scholarship and collectively contribute scholarships and internship opportunities for incoming students across our communities. The new scholarship program, which will be made available online through Scholarship America, offers renewable 4-year scholarships for students from underrepresented populations across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico in need of financial assistance.

“Henkel believes that increased access to quality education and job opportunities is a critical lever to help close the equity gap in society and business. These new Henkel scholarship and internship programs will reach students from under-represented populations in North America and help strengthen the future workforce,” said Steven Essick, President of North America and Regional Head of Finance at Henkel.  

“We are thrilled to join forces with Henkel on its new scholarship program that provides financial assistance to students from diverse populations in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico,” said Robert C.  Ballard, President and CEO, Scholarship America.  “We have long supported the values of diversity, equity and inclusion, and we are doing everything we can to create equity in higher education.”

This new initiative will also include enriching internship opportunities with INROADS and CEE Centre For Young Black Professionals. These partnerships will offer mentoring and training opportunities across a broad range of areas at Henkel, including Engineering and Business Analytics, Research and Development, Product Development, Talent Acquisition, Marketing, Sales, Logistics, and e-Commerce, to students from diverse backgrounds to help prepare students for corporate and community roles. Later this year, Henkel plans to announce additional programs with other educational partners.

“Meaningful partnerships with businesses like Henkel are vital to expand our reach and impact while continuing our mission of delivering innovative programs that accelerate and elevate the development of underrepresented talent throughout their careers,” said Forest T. Harper Jr., President and CEO of INROADS.

“At CEE, we work with young black youths, their families, community leaders, and companies like Henkel to help create positive opportunities, including internships, that empower youths to pursue their passions while learning ways to overcome social and economic barriers with an amazing community support group,” said Agapi Gessesse, Executive Director, CEE.

The Henkel Diversity Scholarship program is currently accepting applications until March 18th, 2021. For more information about this program, please contact henkeldiversity@scholarshipamerica.org or visit the website to submit your application directly: Henkel Diversity Scholarship Program (scholarsapply.org).

About Henkel in North America

In North America, Henkel operates across its three business units: Adhesive Technologies, Beauty Care, and Laundry & Home Care. Its portfolio of well-known consumer and industrial brands includes Schwarzkopf® hair care, Dial® soaps, Right Guard® antiperspirants, Persil®, Purex®, and all® laundry detergents, Snuggle® fabric softeners as well as Loctite®, Technomelt® and Bonderite® adhesives. With sales of around 6 billion .S.U.S. dollars (5 billion euros) in 2019, North America accounts for 26 percent of the company’s global sales. Henkel employs approximately 9,000 people across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit www.henkel-northamerica.com, and on Twitter @Henkel_NA.

About Henkel

Henkel operates globally with a well-balanced and diversified portfolio. The company holds leading positions with its three business units in both industrial and consumer businesses thanks to strong brands, Press Release innovations, and technologies. Henkel Adhesive Technologies is the global leader in the adhesives market – across all industry segments worldwide. In its Laundry & Home Care and Beauty Care businesses, Henkel holds leading positions in many markets and categories around the world. Founded in 1876, Henkel looks back on more than 140 years of success. In 2019, Henkel reported sales of more than 20 billion euros and adjusted operating profit of more than 3.2 billion euros. Henkel employs more than 52,000 people globally – a passionate and highly diverse team, united by a strong company culture, a common purpose to create sustainable value, and shared values. As a recognized leader in sustainability, Henkel holds top positions in many international indices and rankings. Henkel’s preferred shares are listed in the German stock index DAX. For more information, please visit www.henkel.com.

About Scholarship America

Scholarship America is a non-profit organization that helps students fulfill their college dreams. Since 1958, Scholarship America has distributed over $4.5 billion to more than 2.8 million students. The organization works with partners to lower barriers to a college education and give students the support needed to succeed. Learn more at scholarshipamerica.org.

Contact: Seona Skwara
Phone: 203-832-7026
Email: seona.skwara@henkel.com