The Delta Air Lines Foundation awarded a $1 million grant to the Agnes Scott College Global Journeys initiative - part of a four-year experience called SUMMIT that allows all first-year students to engage with the wider world on faculty-led trips across the globe.

The four-year grant was announced Oct. 13 at Agnes Scott’s annual Women’s Global Leadership Conference during an on-stage conversation between Delta CEO Ed Bastian and President Leocadia “Lee” I. Zak to discuss inclusive leadership.

“At Delta, we have so much appreciation for what you are doing in education and we’re big fans of the Global Journeys program,” Ed said in his surprise announcement. 

In 2022, Agnes Scott College sent 300 students to 16 destinations through the Global Journeys initiative, including Paris, Alaska, Martinique, Bulgaria, Belize, Tuscany, Jamaica and more. Global Journeys is one of the many reasons Agnes Scott has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the nation’s No. 1 most innovative liberal arts college for five years in a row. The college’s student population is incredibly diverse with 61% of the students identifying as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color).  32% of Agnes Scott’s students are the first in their families to attend college. The college has been ranked in the top ten for social mobility by U.S. News & World Report as well. 

“I was completely stunned when Ed announced the grant to Agnes Scott,” said Dr. Zak. “This generous grant from The Delta Air Lines Foundation is going to take our SUMMIT experience to even greater heights and allow us to continue providing our first-year students with life-changing experiences that will truly transform their minds, build confidence and position them to claim their places in our community, workplaces and world. On behalf of the college, we are so grateful for supporters like Delta – whose mission and values align with ours.”

Joanne Smith, E.V.P. and Chief People Officer, is a trustee of Agnes Scott College and was in attendance for the surprise grant announcement. Delta Board Chairman Frank Blake is also a trustee. 

ABOUT DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

At Delta, we are committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) as part of our work to connect and reflect the world. Delta drives meaningful impact by actively seeking diversity, boldly pursuing equity and consciously promoting inclusion. As part of our holistic, comprehensive DEI strategy, Delta has placed a focus on closing representation gaps and systemic change by becoming an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory organization. Learn more here.