AgFirst interns awarded Farm Credit HBCU Launching Leaders stipend

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AgFirst is proud to celebrate five interns from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) selected as recipients of this year's Farm Credit Launching Leaders stipend. Each student received $3,500 to help offset living expenses during their summer internship, freeing them to focus on what matters most: gaining hands-on experience, expanding their skills and preparing for what's next.

More than financial support, the Launching Leaders program is a vehicle for opportunity. Designed for students and recent graduates from HBCUs and members of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences, the program reflects Farm Credit's commitment to creating pathways for diverse talent across agriculture, finance and technology.

This year's recipients are:

• Zaria Henderson - Applications Solutions intern studying computer science at South Carolina State University.
• Bimal Itani - CRM Systems intern studying computer science at Claflin University.
• Swikriti Neupane - Salesforce & nCino Business intern studying computer science at Claflin University.
• Nickola Simpson - HR technology intern who graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration and marketing from Benedict College.
• Chandler Robertson - Shared Solutions intern studying cybersecurity at South Carolina State University.

"The Launching Leaders program is about more than supporting internships, it's about creating access, building confidence and helping talented students see a clear path into the industry," said Olivia Scott, AgFirst's HR Business Partner. "These students are already making an impact, and we're excited to see how they continue to grow and lead."