Continuing its mission to diversify and strengthen the regional workforce pipeline, SJI’s local Employee Resource Group has awarded $71,000 in scholarships and stipends to high school seniors and undergraduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.
The merit-based funding was raised and distributed by the South Jersey Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE-SJC), an affinity group open to all SJI employees. The chapter generated the capital through its 13th Annual Scholarship Golf Outing alongside SJI’s annual corporate Employee Giving Campaign.
The chapter hosted its landmark fundraising tournament on May 20 at the Blue Heron Pines Golf Course in Egg Harbor Township. The financial windfall was strategically divided to support students entering freshman year as well as upperclassmen navigating ongoing tuition costs.
“The South Jersey Chapter of AABE remains deeply committed to creating opportunities that empower students to pursue their educational goals and prepare for successful professional futures,” Lisa Cottman, president of AABE-SJC and senior talent program specialist at SJI said.
Jerry Cephas, vice president of AABE-SJC and corporate insurance manager at SJI, added, “We’re proud of what we have accomplished as an organization this year and look forward to providing our local youth and communities with further support in the coming years.”
The local chapter operates under the umbrella of the national American Association of Blacks in Energy. The national organization is dedicated to ensuring that African Americans and other underrepresented minorities hold an active voice in shaping energy policy regulations, research and development breakthroughs, and environmental justice issues.
| Chapter Focus Area | Core Community Deliverables |
| Financial Support | Direct deployment of annual collegiate scholarships and retention stipends. |
| Professional Growth | One-on-one mentoring pipelines pairing students with active utility professionals. |
| Community Outreach | Local educational awareness campaigns, technical networking, and community service. |
By targeting regional funding directly into STEM disciplines, SJI and its employees are working to create direct entry points for South Jersey minority youth to enter high-paying technical careers within the evolving clean energy and utility sectors.
