The relationship between the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and the University of Lethbridge goes back more than 30 years, and its evolution has been one of increased collaboration and deepening impact.
RBC’s commitment to post-secondary education manifests at uLethbridge in a breadth of program support and development opportunities, as well as bringing the business community and students together in the spirit of learning and growth.
“The support we receive from RBC speaks directly to our mission to provide impactful and experiential learning opportunities for our students,” says Dr. Kerry Godfrey, dean, Dhillon School of Business. “The RBC funding allows the Dhillon School of Business to directly support local co-op work opportunities in small and family businesses and bring the business community and our students to learn together through the RCB Small Business Summit. Neither of these initiatives would be possible without the generosity of RBC.”
The RBC Future Launch program, a 10-year, $500 million commitment RBC made to help prepare young people across Canada for the future of work, is the foundation of the relationship.
“Future Launch is based on four primary goals,” says Jerilynn Daniels, Director, Community Marketing and Citizenship. “Helping young people improve their networks, bridging the gap between post-secondary education and the workplace, providing integrated learning opportunities, and supporting mental wellness. Our purpose is to facilitate and foster expanded learning in communities and schools across the country.”
Beyond financial contributions, RBC provides wholistic engagement that includes mentoring and workshops through their Future Launch Champions group, comprised of RBC volunteers.
“RBC team members are passionate about giving back in ways that promote the betterment of our communities,” says Daniels. “From running workshops on resume writing and interview skills to working directly with students and universities through on campus banking branches, our aim is to partner with schools like the U of L so the students of today become the success stories of tomorrow.”
SHINE: The Campaign for the University of Lethbridge launched in 2018 with two main goals: to significantly increase engagement opportunities for alumni and community members and to raise $100 million to propel the entire region forward. Thanks to your support, we have surpassed these goals. More than 20,000 alumni are now actively engaged with the University and, thanks to the incredible generosity of 11,000 donors who made 33,000 gifts, we have raised more than $103 million.
Thank you for joining us to take bold steps toward a brighter future together.