New York Power Authority awards $10,000 college scholarships to students seeking clean energy careers

Future Energy Leaders Scholarship helps prime energy industry workforce pipeline with diverse, well-qualified professionals

New York Power Authority Press Release

To encourage students from all parts of New York to pursue STEM careers, the New York Power Authority has announced $10,000 college scholarships for 20 academically accomplished New York high school students. NYPA’s Future Energy Leaders scholarship program provides support to high-achieving students of color interested in four-year degrees that will prepare them for careers in the energy industry. In total, NYPA has awarded college scholarships to 70 students statewide since the program began in 2021.

"The Power Authority is committed to cultivating a skilled clean energy workforce and ensuring a pipeline of qualified professionals who can bring innovative solutions to the challenges of energy production, transmission and sustainability," NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said. "By supporting STEM education among students of color in environmental justice communities through the Future Energy Leaders program, NYPA can help diversify the energy industry and increase the number of highly educated and career-ready professionals that will make up the next generation of engineers, scientists and technologists."

This year’s recipients were inducted at the 2025 Future Energy Leaders Conference on June 7 at the IBM Center in Armonk. The event, themed “Eyes on the Prize – Aspirations. Resilience. Perseverance,” included remarks from Driscoll and messages of support from NYPA trustees Bethaida Gonzales and Laurie Wheelock, NYPA program representatives and Donald Ruff, CEO, Eagle Academy Foundation.

“The New York Power Authority is at the forefront of building a robust and inclusive clean energy workforce by empowering students from underserved communities who show passion for STEM careers with tools and support,” Gonzalez said. "The Future Energy Leaders scholarship program enables students to unlock their full potential. Through this scholarship, these rising leaders have the opportunity to individually achieve their academic goals and to be part of a more diverse and innovative utility industry for decades to come.

“Engaging students from disadvantaged communities in New York’s energy transformation is not just a commitment – it's a necessity for building a sustainable and equitable future,” Wheelock said. “Through NYPA’s Future Energy Leaders scholarship program, the Power Authority is investing in the next generation of innovators and leaders who will help drive progress as we transition to cleaner energy resources and implement positive change in their communities benefitting all New Yorkers.”

The scholarships are awarded to academically accomplished and underrepresented high school seniors who are enrolled in a four-year college for the semester immediately following graduation with the intention of pursuing STEM-related majors. They must reside in New York, be in good academic standing, and express an interest in working toward careers related to the energy industry. 

Local awardees include:

National Society of Black Engineers 

√ Sudeshna Deb, City Honors School at Fosdick-Masten Park, Buffalo, to study computer science at University at Buffalo 

√ Mohammed Muhaimin, Math Science and Technology Prep School, Buffalo, to study computer engineering at University at Buffalo 

√ Samia Uddin, Burgard High School, Buffalo, to study computer science at University at Buffalo 

√ Arian Bhuiyan, City Honors High School, Buffalo, to study computer engineering at University at Buffalo