Congratulations to our 2024-25 CME Group Foundation Scholars!
In August, CME Group Foundation announced that 18 historically underrepresented students majoring in finance, technology and other related fields have been awarded up to $20,000 each, renewable for three years. With this addition to our cohort of renewing Scholars, the Foundation is providing scholarships to 35 students at 11 partner colleges and universities for the 2024-25 academic year. Since its launch in 2019, the CME Group Foundation Scholars Program has awarded over $3.5 million in scholarships to more than 100 talented college students.
“Through our Foundation and other initiatives, CME Group is committed to supporting future leaders in our community by providing financial assistance and career development opportunities,” said Terry Duffy, CME Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and CME Group Foundation Trustee, “We congratulate this year’s recipients and wish them well as they go on to pursue college degrees debt-free that will lead to careers in finance, computer science and technology.”
On August 14, CME Group hosted a Day of Recognition and Market Education for Foundation Scholars to learn more about internship and career opportunities available at CME Group, including a new mentorship program exclusively for Foundation Scholars and in the financial services industry. Over 40 CME Group employees participated in the event, which included an awards ceremony, networking and breakout sessions for specific majors. All seven alumni of the Foundation Scholars Program who now work full-time at CME Group were among the participating staff.
University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen is an enthusiastic supporter of the program with its path to debt-free education and career success. “The U of I System is proud to participate in the CME Group Foundation Scholars program and we are thrilled with the impressive enrollment of Foundation Scholars in our universities,” Killeen said. “Opportunities abound in today’s dynamic, rapidly evolving workforce and the U of I System is committed to providing a world-class education to students of all backgrounds. The CME Group Foundation Scholars program is incredibly important in raising awareness for rewarding career opportunities, as well as removing barriers for students to succeed.”
New Scholars like Lylli Rodriguez recognize the program’s unique benefits and gateway to a brighter future. “The CME Group Foundation Scholarship means the ability to achieve my goals and the possibility to create a life for myself,” said Rodriguez, a senior accounting major at University of Illinois Chicago. “This scholarship is funding my future and is opening doors that will help me improve my skills and advance my education. Words cannot express how thrilled I am to continue my educational and professional career as a Latina woman in the business world.”
This year’s new recipients of the CME Group Foundation Scholarship include:
- Aaron Alexander, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Cristian Brenes, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Tristan Caldwell, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Ali El-Hindi, University of Illinois Chicago
- Aylin Erdal, Stevens Institute of Technology
- Olamiji Fabamigbe, University of Illinois Chicago
- Shria Halkoda, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Babak Hatami, DePaul University
- Hemam Kassahun, DePaul University
- Brenda Leyva, University of Illinois Chicago
- Alyssa Lopez, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Blythe Madera, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Luis Miranda, University of Illinois Chicago
- Lylli Rodriguez, University of Illinois Chicago
- Farheen Saiyed, Loyola University Chicago
- Enrique Santillan, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Fiker Yonathan Shimels, DePaul University
- Thomas Zaborenko, DePaul University
Scholarship partner colleges and universities include:
- DePaul University
- Illinois Institute of Technology
- Loyola University Chicago
- National Louis University
- Northern Illinois University
- Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
- St. Xavier University
- Stevens Institute of Technology
- University of Illinois Chicago
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Wilbur Wright College
