The Provident Bank Foundation (PBF) has announced Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pa., as the recipient of the Foundation’s $50,000 Signature Grant for 2017 in the Education funding priority area.

Cedar Crest College was selected to receive this Signature Grant for its work in the Higher Education focus area. Funding will support the launch of its Student Employment Center (SEC)’s “Preparing for That First Job” program and will help 100 students during the fall 2017 to learn basic workplace skills such as on-time arrival, appropriate dress, work efficiencies, communications skills, professionalism, and how to work well with supervisors.

“The goal of this grant is to help Cedar Crest College undergraduate students prepare for today’s workforce,” said Jane Kurek, Executive Director, The Provident Bank Foundation. “Through Student Employment Center programming, students will have access to unique academic opportunities that will increase their capacity for social stability and ultimately strengthen the economic growth of the region – also a goal of ours at the Foundation.”

Part of the College’s Career Planning Center, the SEC is an innovative and strategic initiative designed to place college students in on-campus employment that aligns with their academic and career goals. The SEC delivers a transformational student experience, offering students the opportunity to gain practical knowledge in their desired field while earning an income. The experience opens the door for students to be promoted to positions of greater responsibility within their office of employment throughout their four years and provides students with meaningful, developmental work experiences that will prepare them to contribute to the community and the economy post-graduation.

“At Cedar Crest College, we are committed to equipping our students with the skills they need to be competitive in their career field upon graduation,” said Elizabeth Meade, Interim President of Cedar Crest. “To that end, we have launched the Student Employment Center, which is designed to match students with on-campus positions that align with their professional aspirations. Through the center, students learn professional skills such as leadership, communication, teamwork and management. Students will then graduate with several years of meaningful work experience related to their vocational goals. We are excited to welcome 100 students into the program in its inaugural year, with plans to expand in the future. The Student Employment Center is another innovative way Cedar Crest is fulfilling our mission of providing transformational experiences for our students that will position them for success in their future endeavors.”

Since its founding in 1867, Cedar Crest College has taken a bold approach to education – creating a college and a curriculum designed for women who want to achieve at the highest levels. Recognizing the multi-dimensional nature of students, Cedar Crest College is dedicated to the education of the next generation of women leaders by preparing them for life in the global community. Cedar Crest also provides a wealth of opportunities for non-traditional and graduate students through its co-educational School of Adult and Graduate Education (SAGE).

The Foundation will present the check during a presentation on Wednesday, September 13, 2017, 11 a.m. in Blaney Hall, located on the Cedar Crest College campus at 100 College Drive, Allentown, Pennsylvania.

For more information about PBF, visit www.ProvidentNJFoundation.org or call (862) 260-3990.

About The Provident Bank Foundation

The Provident Bank Foundation was established in 2003 by Provident Bank to enhance the quality of life in the region through support of not-for-profit groups, institutions, schools and other 501(c)(3) organizations that provide services in communities served by the Bank. Since inception, the Foundation has granted more than $22 million to not-for-profit organizations and institutions working toward stronger communities. For more information about The Provident Bank Foundation, visit www.ProvidentNJFoundation.org or call (862) 260-3990.