DHC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
College is becoming more and more unaffordable. We all know this as tuition rates climb every year, far outpacing wage increases. Even for those who happen to have a less obstructed path to pursuing a higher education, it can still be financially challenging to earn a college degree. For others, it’s even more so.
In 2019, DHC started a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) Scholarship Program in hopes of alleviating some of that difficulty for those who need it most in our communities. Nick Britten, Senior Engineer at DHC, found himself bothered by the disparity that exists amongst civil engineers. He wanted to help our community members who are struggling to afford the rising costs of a college education by providing financial assistance. This financial assistance is intended to remove some of the barriers to entry in a field that is often unapproachable for those who don’t fit the traditional demographic.
Nick vocalized his vision for a scholarship program to the leadership at DHC and it was wholeheartedly welcomed and encouraged. Years later, DHC has had the opportunity to award collegiate scholarships to deserving students from our local schools, each pursuing an undergraduate degree in a STEM field. At DHC, we care about the future of our industry, and we know that a diverse workforce is one that has the most opportunity for growth, creativity, and innovation. DHC has chosen to actively support and provide resources for high school students to pursue a career in STEM, looking specifically to aid those who are underrepresented in our field of civil engineering.
The scholarship program has now partnered with DHC’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team with hopes of continuing to expand, and to positively impact marginalized students in our community. We acknowledge the prevalence of systemic wealth inequality and know its harm is felt deeply by many members of our community, generation after generation. That is why we are proud to make small ripples in this space that can have massive impacts at the individual level.