January 2016

The IEEE PES Scholarship Plus Initiative recognizes highly qualified electrical engineering undergraduate students with multi-year scholarships and assists in connecting them with relevant and meaningful career experiences. Since the program launched in 2011, 587 students received 942 scholarships have from more than 150 universities, including Ivy League colleges, flagship state universities and prestigious engineering colleges.

Gillian Koch – Stevens Institute of Technology, May 2016

Gillian chose to study engineering because she was always interested in math and science.  In addition, she became very interested in the power industry and chose a concentration in power after working for PSE&G and Con Edison.  She loves the various fields within power engineering because there is so much to learn. She is honored to have been selected as a PES Scholar and Gillian looks forward to being involved in the field upon graduation.

Gillian is the first PES Scholar selected from Stevens Institute of Technology.    You can support PES Scholars like Gillian by contributing to the IEEE PES Scholarship Plus Initiative.

Donor Profile – ComEd                                    

As Chicago’s local utility and energy delivery company with more than a century of experience, ComEd’s commitment to customer service, security, and satisfaction is guided by the progress of the past and the promise of the future. Driving an industry that is entrepreneurial in nature, the company has always remained focused on benefiting the people, environment, and economies of the communities it serves. As a part of this commitment, ComEd is heavily invested in programs that benefit the education of tomorrow’s leaders, such as the IEEE PES Scholarship Plus Initiative.

“As the energy industry continues to evolve and grow, we’re going to need a trained and highly-skilled workforce of innovators to solve our region’s greatest energy challenges,” said Joe Svachula, vice president of Smart Grid and Technology, ComEd.

ComEd is focused on continually innovating for customers to achieve superior service and cost savings today – and to meet customers’ changing expectations for tomorrow. The company continues to enhance its services and the future workforce that will generate smart ideas.

“As an energy leader in northern Illinois, we have a responsibility to nourish the communities where we live, work and raise our families by investing in educational programs that produce real outcomes,” continued Svachula. “These scholarships will help our future engineers develop a strong foundation that prepares them for a successful future, while also ensuring that our industry has a workforce of highly-trained engineers, trained right here at home.”

“Being a PES Scholar means that I am in the top of a competitive and rewarding field in engineering. This validation of my achievements gives me the motivation to continue to pursue my passion in electrical engineering. Also, the reward proves that the power industry is a generous and lucrative field.”

Thomas – PES Scholar – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Volunteer – Become part of a Regional Review Committee

WANTED:  knowledgeable people from the power and energy field to serve on PES Scholarship Regional Committees.   The primary responsibility is to review the PES Scholar applications but we would also welcome assistance in helping the PES Scholars obtain career experiences and the identification of companies/organizations that would be willing to provide support to the PES Scholarship Plus Initiative.

Almost all committee activity is conducted via teleconference and/or online for the application review process.   The applications will be reviewed in July/August of 2016. A job description for this position is available. If interested, please complete the volunteer survey that has been created.

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