#United States #PG&E #Oakland #Scholarships #Financial Education

Celebrating Achievements: Students Graduate with Financial Knowledge

In a promising initiative aimed at empowering students from underserved communities, 25 high school seniors will graduate this Saturday from the PG&E Community Financial Education Program held at UC Berkeley. Each will receive a $7,000 scholarship, providing a critical financial boost for their higher education efforts.

Launched by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) alongside The PGE Corporation Foundation, this program has been functioning since 2022 to lay a solid groundwork for students' future financial success. The program emphasizes key areas including personal finance, capital markets, investments, and wealth creation—all essential knowledge for navigating today’s economy.

Building Bridges to Success

Designed specifically for high school seniors from challenging backgrounds, the program pairs students with undergraduate mentors from the Haas School of Business. These mentors guide high school participants, enriching their understanding of critical financial concepts and encouraging responsible financial decision-making.

Xariyah White, a graduate from De Anza High School, reflected on her experience:

“The PG&E program has immensely influenced how I view my financial future. It not only enhanced my budgeting skills but also prepared me for college expenses.”

Mariah McCoy, another successful participant, shares her appreciation for the program:

“This initiative gave me an invaluable opportunity to explore the business world and envision my future as a Haas School of Business student.”

Advocating for Financial Literacy

Since its inception, the PG&E Community Financial Education Program has grown and gained recognition as a critical resource. In fact, recent California legislation mandates that every high school student have access to a personal finance course by 2027, with financial literacy becoming a graduation requirement by 2031. The program serves as a timely model for such educational reforms.

By completing course modules over six months, taught by experienced professors and industry professionals at UC Berkeley, students not only gain academic knowledge but also learn the importance of pursuing higher education.

With this recent graduating class, a total of 96 students from the Oakland area have now benefited from the program, and the scholarships funded by the PGE Corporation have reached an impressive $800,000.

Collaborative Efforts for Community Impact

The course curriculum was crafted collaboratively by notable figures, including Haas Professor Panos Patatoukas and venture capitalist Jason Miles of Amenti Capital Group, who stressed the significance of early financial education in bridging wealth disparities.

According to Patatoukas,

“This program showcases the potential of accessible financial education in expanding opportunities for our youth.”

Furthermore, Miles remarked on the program’s essential role in empowering future leaders with practical investing knowledge, stating that such education is pivotal for fostering generational wealth creation.

The graduation ceremony set for February 7th, 2026, at UC Berkeley will feature Vincent Davis, PG&E's Chief Customer Officer, as a key speaker. Davis will highlight PG&E’s commitment to education as a pathway towards prosperity:

“By focusing on financial education, we’re equipping the next generation with the tools they need to build a brighter financial future.”

Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations

Among the program's early successes, Otis Ward, who shared his inspiring journey in the PGE film *