UNF announces generous support from CSX for Diversity in Business Program and T&L scholarship
The University of North Florida and CSX Transportation, Inc. announced $700K in funding directed by CSX for the Diversity in Business (DIB) program within the Coggin College of Business and the recently named Mark K. Wallace CSX Transportation & Logistics Endowed Scholarship.
CSX is a strong and dedicated partner of UNF and the Coggin College of Business. With this support, the Diversity in Business program will focus on increasing the number of diverse students pursuing degrees in the Coggin College of Business as well as supporting all students interested in advancing the progress of diversity in the workforce.
In addition, a fund established by CSX to assist students was named the Mark K. Wallace CSX Transportation & Logistics Endowed Scholarship, in honor of the former CSX executive vice president who passed away last year. These scholarships will be awarded to need-based students within Coggin’s transportation and logistics program.
“CSX is pleased to partner with UNF and the Coggin College of Business to further progress workplace diversity,” said James M. Foote, president and chief executive officer of CSX. “We are equally proud to create the Mark K. Wallace CSX Transportation & Logistics Endowed Scholarship to honor Mark’s legacy by helping support the advancement of students in the transportation and logistics program.”
UNF’s Diversity in Business program will increase opportunities among students from diverse groups by fostering exposure to professional development opportunities, building networks and identifying opportunities for career advancement. In addition, the program will increase awareness among diverse undergraduates of the full range of business careers and opportunities available to them at UNF.
The program will have multiple quantitative standards for success including the goal of doubling the proportion of students from diverse backgrounds at Coggin, increasing Black and African American enrollment to 10% in the next five years, having 500 students join and complete the program in five years, and having a meaningful increase in majors and fields which have historically had underrepresentation from diverse groups.
“UNF is extremely appreciative of CSX’s continued commitment during the 50th anniversary of UNF and the Coggin College of Business,” said Dr. Richard Buttimer, dean of UNF’s Coggin College of Business. “The DIB program will help recruit more underrepresented students into the college, and support and assist as they matriculate and graduate with increased exposure to career opportunities. CSX’s generosity towards this program and the endowed scholarships will create a collaborative environment to further support more diverse students with the skills needed for the business workforce.”
UNF’s Coggin College of Business is named among the Best Business Schools for 2022 by The Princeton Review and is recognized in the best on-campus MBA list, based on a combination of factors including the school’s academics, student body, campus life and career pathways.