Bank of America Announces 2023 Worcester-Area Student Leaders

Worcester, Mass – Bank of America today announced two Worcester-area students were selected as Student Leaders® (#BofAStudentLeaders), an eight-week paid summer internship providing students with first-hand experience in serving their communities. As part of the program, the students will develop leadership and practical workforce skills while working with the Boys and Girls Club of Worcester, all while earning $17 per hour.

With changing economic environments and a shifting job market, young people need access to workforce experience and career skills-building opportunities. The private sector has a role to play to help better position and support young adults be successful in today’s workforce.

“By providing the pathways and resources for young adults to gain the foundational work skills and leadership experience they need to succeed, we are investing in long-term economic growth in the Worcester area,” said Edwin Shea, President, Bank of America Central Massachusetts. “The teens selected for this paid summer intern program are truly extraordinary, but they may not have had access to opportunities like this until now. The Student Leaders program is just one example of how we connect people to meaningful employment resources that also builds a stronger pipeline of diverse talent for our local workforce.”

The class of 2023 Worcester-area Bank of America Student Leaders are:

· Erika Our, a rising senior at Douglas High School. She volunteers at the Simon Fairfield Public Library in her hometown of Douglas and is also active in student government.

· Nihitha Krishna Reddy, a rising senior at the Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science in Worcester. She volunteers as a tutor at the Light and Salt Academy, which helps refugee students catch up to their grade level.

As part of the program, Student Leaders traveled to Washington D.C. in July and participated in a week-long, all expenses paid, national leadership summit focused on the power of cross-sector collaboration and community advocacy. At the first in-person Summit since 2019, Student Leaders from across the nation discussed the importance of civic engagement and met with members of Congress.

Started in 2004, the Student Leaders program recognizes 300 community-focused juniors and seniors from across the U.S. annually.