Application is now available until May 3

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Feb. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – Sixty percent of U.S. college students take out loans, and graduates leave school with an average of about $20,000 in debt*, even as a college degree is recognized as essential for career success. To help more students afford that all-important college degree, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) announced today that the application period for its MassMutual Scholars program is now open for high achieving students of multicultural backgrounds interested in careers in the insurance and financial services industry.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130226/NY66308-INFO-a )
(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130226/NY66312 )

Through this program, MassMutual will offer a total of $150,000 in scholarships–$5,000 scholarships to students attending four-year colleges and $2,500 scholarships to those attending two-year colleges. Students of all majors are eligible who are of African-American, Asian/Pacific Islander or Hispanic descent and attending school in the United States. Applicants also must meet certain academic criteria, such as maintaining a 3.0 or better GPA, express interest in financial services and insurance careers and demonstrate financial need.

“I always knew I would be going to college to have a good career with a high earning potential,” said Jeffery Clemons, who heads up MassMutual’s Nevada Agency in Las Vegas., “but even with GI Bill funds from my time in the air force, I needed to work two jobs to pay for school.”

Mr. Clemons encourages students to take full advantage of all resources available to them, federal funding, part-time work, in-state tuition and the growing availability of corporate scholarships, to help them finish school and obtain a college degree. “It’s well worth the cost,” he pointed out, “my time, connections and experiences at UNLV are the reason I am where I am today.”

Also in recognition of the financial challenges that new graduates and young professionals face, MassMutual kicked off the New Year with the launch of a Facebook-centric campaign to help the Millennial generation address the issue of student loan debt. Participants were invited to share how they plan to pay down their student debt on facebook.com/massmutual, and one participant will be rewarded up to $20,000 to pay down outstanding loans. The grand prize winner will be announced in mid-March.

“One in five households has student debt in this country*, and the issue is receiving growing attention,” said Nick Fyntrilakis, Vice President of Community Responsibility at MassMutual. “Our MassMutual Scholars program helps provide financial support to students of diverse backgrounds, helping them achieve their dreams of obtaining a college degree.”

The MassMutual Scholars program is just one of many initiatives that are part of the company’s Community Responsibility agenda, which provided over $7 million in charitable contributions in 2012. In addition to national scholarships, the Career Pathways Program supports eligible high school and college students in Hampden, Mass. and Hartford, Ct. counties through scholarships, internships and experiential learning opportunities focused on careers in financial services.

MassMutual also has provided more than $640 million in free term life insurance coverage to eligible working families across the country, as part of its unique LifeBridge^SM Free Life Insurance Program, designed to help protect children’s educational aspirations.

The application deadline for the MassMutual Scholars Program is May 3, 2013, and winners will be notified in late summer.

Eligibility Criteria:

Open to students of African-American, Asian/Pacific Islander or Hispanic descent.

• Must show proof of U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency with a permanent resident card or passport stamped I-551 (not expired).
• Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Plan to attend a degree-seeking program, full-time at a U.S. accredited institution in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands or Guam during the 2013-2014 academic year.
• Will be entering sophomore, junior, senior or 5th-year senior year in pursuit of an undergraduate degree at an accredited college or university.
• Students of all majors will be considered. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate:
  • An interest in pursuing a career in the insurance and financial services industry.
  • Leadership and participation in extracurricular activities.
• Must apply for federal financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
• Selected students attending accredited 2 year and 4 year colleges/universities will be awarded $2,500 or $5,000 respectively.
• A total of $150,000 in scholarships will be awarded for the 2013-14 school year.

For more information on how to apply or to obtain an application, visit www.act.org/massmutual.

*Pew Research Center. Tabulations of Survey of Consumer Finances Data (2012). A Record One-in-Five Households Now Owe Student Loan Debt. 26 Sept., 2012.

About MassMutual

Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyholders. The company has a long history of financial strength and strong performance, and although dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid dividends to eligible participating policyowners consistently since the 1860s. With whole life insurance as its foundation, MassMutual provides products to help meet the financial needs of clients, such as life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, retirement/401(k) plan services, and annuities. In addition, the company’s strong and growing network of financial professionals helps clients make good financial decisions for the long-term.

MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. MassMutual is headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts and its major affiliates include: Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; The First Mercantile Trust Company; MassMutual International LLC; MML Investors Services, LLC, Member FINRA and SIPC; OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB.

For more information, visit www.massmutual.com or find MassMutual on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Google+.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Karen Lavariere-Sanchez
413.744.7660
klavarieresanchez@massmutual.com

The post As Student Debt Skyrockets to $1 Trillion, MassMutual Supports African American Students through Scholarship Programs appeared first on DiversityInc.

Walmart announced the promotion of Karen Roberts to Executive Vice President and General Counsel. She manages a department that is responsible for all legal matters affecting the company in its domestic and international markets. A 17-year veteran of the company, Roberts previously was Senior Vice President and President of Walmart Realty, overseeing close to 1 billion square feet of real estate. Roberts has a bachelor’s degree from Harding University and a juris doctor from the University of Arkansas.

Charmaine Brown, Director of Diversity & Inclusion at Forest City, was named Diversity Executive of the Year by Commercial Property Executive magazine. CPE cited Brown’s role in implementing a new recruitment strategy and in helping bring the Real Estate Associate Program to Forest City’s hometown of Cleveland. Brown is also involved in the Greater Cleveland Partnership’s Commission on Economic Inclusion and the Northern Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council. Brown has a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University.

Lissiah Hundley has been named Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Cox Communications. She is the primary advisor on the research, development, execution and enhancement of D&I programs and initiatives at Cox, working closely with HR and senior leaders to develop D&I strategies for the business. Previously, Hundley was Vice President and Diversity Project Management Manager at Wells Fargo. She has a bachelor’s degree and a juris doctor from St. Mary’s University in Texas and a master’s degree from the University of Texas. She is a member of the board of directors of Urban League of Central Carolinas. Cox is No. 25 in the DiversityInc Top 50.

Kellogg Company has promoted two women to new leadership roles in its human-resources department. Sammie Long has been named Senior Vice President, Global Human Resources. In her new position, Long is responsible for all of the company’s HR functions for its 31,000-plus employees worldwide. The England native graduated from the University of Salford outside Manchester. Replacing Long as Vice President, Human Resources, Kellogg North America, covering the company’s operations in the United States and Canada, is Lyn Frantz, formerly Vice President, Human Resources, Kellogg North America Supply Chain. Frantz has a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University. Kellogg Company is No. 49 in the DiversityInc Top 50.

Kellogg Company announced the election of Mary Laschinger, Senior Vice President of International Paper and President of IP’s xpedx division, to its board of directors. Laschinger, who is responsible for IP’s North American distribution business, was also appointed to the board’s Manufacturing Committee and to its Social Responsibility and Public Policy Committee. Laschinger has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s degree from the University of Connecticut.

Wyndham Worldwide has named Tiziana Sullivan as Vice President, Diversity and Inclusion. She will focus on D&I initiatives in recruitment, development and retention of global talent, as well as customer and stakeholder relations. She will also manage diversity initiatives among Wyndham’s associate business groups. Sullivan previously served as Director, University Relations and Diversity Recruitment. She has a bachelor’s degree from Concordia University. Wyndham Worldwide is one of DiversityInc’s 25 Noteworthy Companies.

New York Life announced the appointment of Troy Glover as Senior Vice President in charge  of the company’s Long-Term Care Insurance operation. He is responsible for all facets of product development, marketing and administration of the Long-Term Care Insurance line. Glover most recently was Chief Operating Officer of the unit, which is based in Austin, Texas. He has a bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University and a master’s degree from Cornell University.

Ernst & Young has named Chobani founder Hamdi Ulukaya as the 2012 Overall Award winner in its National Entrepreneur Of The Year program, for his vision in jumpstarting the U.S.’s Greek yogurt boom. The award encourages entrepreneurial activity and recognizes leaders and visionaries who demonstrate innovation, financial success and personal commitment as they create and build world-class businesses. Winners in 10 industries were selected by an independent panel of judges from among 244 regional honorees. Ernst & Young is No. 6 in the DiversityInc Top 50.

Rhonda Davenport Johnson has been named Senior Vice President and Director of the Comerica Loan Center. She oversees all Comerica Loan Center operations for mortgage, home equity, consumer and small-business loans generated through Comerica’s national operations. Davenport has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Western Michigan University and is a graduate of the Consumer Bankers Association’s Graduate School of Retail Bank Management. Comerica Bank is No. 3 in DiversityInc’s Top 10 Regional Companies.

The Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) announced two promotions: Chris Mendoza to Vice President of Multicultural Market Development and Brian K. Lee to head of the company’s Greater Los Angeles agency. Mendoza is responsible for the development of multicultural business and market strategies, including securing and leveraging strategic alliances with diverse organizations that support recruiting and business generation. Lee is building on the agency’s decades-long commitment to Los Angeles as well as expanding the agency’s multicultural reach to address the financial needs of various ethnic groups in and around the area. One of Lee’s goals is to double the number of multilingual financial professionals in the Los Angeles office. MassMutual is one of DiversityInc’s 25 Noteworthy Companies.

The Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress, the division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau responsible for increasing the city’s share of the multicultural meetings, conventions and tourism markets, has appointed Nicole Johnson-Reece as its new Executive Director. Reece most recently was Vice President of Global Diversity and Inclusion for ARAMARK. She has a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University.

The post Deloitte’s New Inclusion Leadership Team, Plus Walmart’s New General Counsel [Slideshow] appeared first on DiversityInc.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Aug. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — As the U.S. economy teeters on recovery, the ever expanding Latino population may be poised to play a key role in the country’s future. ALPFA, the largest Latino association dedicated to enhancing opportunities for Latinos and building leadership skills, wants to help as many of the more than 50 million Latinos in the U.S. as possible to prepare for that role and has joined forces with Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) to boost awareness of the need for financial education and the available tools to help plan their financial futures.

Over the past year, ALPFA and MassMutual have worked together to help the exploding number of Latino small business owners and families make good financial decisions for a more secure future. The two organizations have taken to the road to raise awareness of the need for financial education and future planning, hosting informational events and panel discussions in several locations across the country.

As ALPFA celebrates its 40^th anniversary at its national convention on August 11, in Las Vegas, MassMutual will provide career opportunities and guidance to the up to 3,000 expected attendees at the landmark event.

Jeffery Clemons, general agent of MassMutual’s Nevada Agency, will present an accelerated workshop to help participants grow through personal development. Clemons sets a powerful example, rising from modest means as a child in Saginaw, Mich., joining the U.S. Air Force at 18 and, after his service was complete, pursuing his dream for a degree in managerial finance at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

MassMutual’s Chris Mendoza, assistant vice president of Multicultural Markets Development, will participate in a leadership panel discussion, and students and professionals are invited to visit MassMutual’s booths at the career and product fairs to learn more about the FORTUNE 500* mutual insurer.

“Our country is at an economic crossroads, and given the Latino population’s phenomenal growth, we’re at a critical juncture. We want to work with Latinos to help them secure greater career and financial security for themselves, their businesses and their families,” said Chris Mendoza, assistant vice president, multicultural market development, MassMutual. “ALPFA’s annual convention is an ideal way to reach current and future Latino business leaders, helping them to acquire more of the skills and information they need to help ensure the success of future generations.”

“ALPFA members at our annual convention—both seasoned professionals and student future leaders—with the help of MassMutual, will have the opportunity to understand and explore ways to not only increase their own fiscal fitness, but also how to help others close these gaps in our community’s fiscal health,” said Manny Espinoza, CEO, ALPFA.

*FORTUNE Magazine, May 21, 2012

About MassMutual

Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyholders. The company has a long history of financial strength and strong performance, and although dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid dividends to eligible participating policyholders every year since the 1860s. With whole life insurance as its foundation, MassMutual provides products to help meet the financial needs of clients, such as life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, retirement/401(k) plan services, and annuities. In addition, the company’s strong and growing network of financial professionals helps clients make good financial decisions for the long-term.

MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. MassMutual is headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts and its major affiliates include: Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; The First Mercantile Trust Company; MassMutual International LLC; MML Investors Services, LLC, Member FINRA and SIPC; OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB.

For more information, visit www.massmutual.com or find MassMutual on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Google+.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Karen Lavariere-Sanchez
(413) 744-7660
Klavarieresanchez@massmutual.com

SOURCE  MassMutual

The post MassMutual Teams Up with ALPFA to Celebrate 40-Year Anniversary and Help Develop Latino Business Leaders appeared first on DiversityInc.