Constellation Brands enhances endowed scholarship for diversity in computing field

Constellation Brands is enhancing its endowed scholarship at RIT, aimed at increasing diversity in the field of computing.

The Constellation Brands Endowed Scholarship is now available to support students in both the Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences and the Saunders College of Business. The newly expanded endowment was made possible by a $500,000 gift from the company.

“Constellation Brands is dedicated to cultivating a diverse workforce that authentically represents the vibrant tapestry of our consumers and communities,” said Mark Brown, manager of Acquisition and University Relations at Constellation Brands. “By supporting education and empowering underrepresented groups, we not only foster stronger recruiting outcomes, but also open doors to unique faculty collaborations. This endeavor isn’t just about giving back—it’s about shaping a future where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive, enriching both our company and the communities we serve.”

The scholarship was established in 2021 to support women, students of color, and first generation students in the Golisano College. It is now available to students enrolled in the Saunders College. The goal of the scholarship is to help foster an inclusive culture within computing, characterized by diversity in background and thought.

Third-year student Chloe Pendergast was the first recipient of the Constellation Brands Endowed Scholarship. She recently switched majors from new media interactive development into the individualized program, with a concentration in user experience in web design. She said that speaking with people at Constellation Brands has given her peace of mind, in the sense that many of their employees start their careers in one field, but then evolve into an entirely different area of specialty.

“Being financially backed by such a huge company where their main goal is to lift up and promote women in these male-dominated jobs feels very rewarding and reassuring,” said Pendergast, who is from Ridgewood, N.J. “I’ve met some amazing people at Constellation Brands and they have supported me and helped me grow as a student—and honestly as a person.”

The endowment will provide a scholarship of about $3,750 to one student every year. The scholarship is administered by financial aid.

“On behalf of Saunders College of Business, we would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to Constellation Brands for their generous investment in student scholarships,” said Saunders College Dean Jacqueline Mozrall. “This commitment will enable students to access a transformative business education at RIT and we couldn’t be more grateful. Constellation Brands has a strong history of partnering with Saunders College of Business and this gift reaffirms its commitment to RIT, Saunders College of Business and to our region.”

Based in Victor, N.Y., Constellation Brands is a Fortune 500 company and leading international producer and marketer of consumer-loved beer, wine, and spirits brands—including Corona, Modelo, Robert Mondavi, Kim Crawford, and The Prisoner.