AgFirst recognized for creating opportunities for S.C. State students

South Carolina State University recognized AgFirst for the bank’s outstanding support of students during the annual Career Center Dinner and Awards Banquet, held Sept. 23 at the Orangeburg Country Club. The event celebrated students who earned internships and scholarships, while also recognizing employers who played a key role in creating those opportunities. 

“Receiving this recognition is a reminder of why we do this work. Supporting S.C. State students isn’t just about internships or scholarships, it’s about showing up for their growth, their goals and their futures,” said Olivia McElveen Scott, AgFirst HR Business Partner. “We’re proud to be part of their journey and excited to keep building pathways that help them thrive.” 

AgFirst supports and creates opportunities for S.C. State students through several meaningful initiatives: 

• Annual HBCU Recruitment Day. Students are invited to participate in this recruitment event, designed to connect students with career opportunities at the bank.
• Summer internships with financial support. Students benefit from hands-on experiences at the bank during our summer internship program, along with a $3,500 Launching Leaders stipend from Farm Credit to help offset living expenses.
• Career development partnerships. AgFirst actively engages in S.C. State’s career fairs and collaborates with the university to offer professional development programming tailored to student success.
• Scholarships. For the current academic year, five students each received a $3,000 scholarship from AgFirst to support their educational journeys. 

This was also the third consecutive year AgFirst sponsored the Career Center Dinner and Awards Banquet. In recognition of this support, the bank was presented with a commemorative plaque. 

AgFirst celebrates the exceptional talent that emerges from Historically Black Colleges and Universities like S.C. State, and we’re proud to provide career opportunities for these students. These opportunities not only open doors for students to thrive in their careers but also strengthen the bank’s recruitment pipeline with diverse, driven talent.