Scholarship Programs

Union Plus recently awarded $200,000 in scholarships to 189 students representing 38 unions, including two winners representing the American Postal Workers Union (APWU). This year’s group of scholarship recipients includes university, college, and trade or technical school students from 35 states, the District of Columbia, and one U.S. territory. The APWU winners are: 

• Jenyse Hill of Highland Springs, Virginia. Hill, whose mother, Virginia Hill, is a member of APWU Local 473, has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship. 

• Derek Martinez of Red Oak, Texas. Martinez, whose father, Abel Martinez, is a member of APWU Local 732, has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship. 

“We are continually impressed by the resilience of our scholarship applicants as students across the United States have faced ongoing challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Union Plus President Mitch Stevens said. “This year’s 189 Union Plus Scholarship winners are as extraordinary as ever, and we are very glad to help support them as they continue their educations.” 

Meet the 2022 APWU Honorees

Jenyse Hill
Henrico High School (HHS), Richmond, Virginia (2022)

Jenyse will begin college this fall and plans to major in biology. She wants to become a dentist and had the opportunity to shadow several dentists in the Richmond area, which led to her career path choice. Jenyse was among the top students in her graduating class at HHS, where she completed Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and honors classes. She was a member of the HHS Black Advance Student Program, a club for Black students in AP, IB, or honors classes who mentor and tutor younger students in such classes. Jenyse values her mother’s membership in APWU, which she said is a close-knit family. “My mother thoroughly enjoys working for the postal service,” Jenyse said. “She speaks of her coworkers as her friends and family, people she can rely on for advice and help on personal issues.” 

HHS social studies teacher Brittain Wesley Arthur said Jenyse is one of the most ambitious students he has ever taught. “Jenyse is a student that constantly challenges herself to grow academically, and I immediately noticed how intelligent she is,” Arthur said. “Jenyse has been a mentor and leader to the African American underclassmen enrolled in IB courses, assisting these students with academic and social matters. Her academic drive and outstanding leadership qualities are two of a plethora of reasons why any higher learning institution should consider itself blessed to have her.” 

Activities and honors: HHS varsity volleyball captain; U.S. Department of Education President’s Award for Educational Excellence; HHS Honor Roll; HHS Student of the Month 

Volunteerism: Little Feet Meet; church Youth Day 

Derek Martinez
University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
Dallas College: Associate of Science, engineering (2021)
Mesquite (TX) High School (MHS) (2016)

Derek recently completed his first semester at UTA, where he is an aerospace engineering major. He is passionate about aeronautics, manufacturing, design, and space exploration, and he plans to attend aerospace engineering graduate school after finishing his bachelor’s degree at UTA. Derek participates in the NASA L’SPACE Academy, an online, interactive program open to undergraduate STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) students interested in pursuing a career with NASA or other space organizations. He also is an apprentice electrician and a technician for the Mesquite Independent School District. 

Dallas College instructor John A. Garcia, who taught Derek’s integrated reading and writing course, said he is a self-motivated, responsible, and disciplined student. “Derek is an eager and dedicated learner, willing to digest college material and determine outcomes, draw conclusions, ask questions, and frequently participate in discussions regarding class or research materials,” Garcia said. “He is a special individual who does not take life and opportunities for granted. He will make the best of any situation and will strive to do things that will help him succeed in life.” 

Activities and honors: American Society of Mechanical Engineers; Society of Flight Test Engineers; Dallas College Engineering Club; MAES – Latinos in Science and Engineering 

Learn More About the Union Plus Scholarship Program 

The Union Plus Scholarship Program, now in its 31st year, awards scholarships based on outstanding academic achievement, personal character, financial need, and commitment to the values of organized labor. The program is offered through the Union Plus Education Foundation. 

Since starting the program in 1991, Union Plus has awarded more than $5.2 million in educational funding to more than 3,600 union members, spouses, and dependent children. Union Plus Scholarship awards are granted to students attending a two-year college, four-year college, graduate school, or recognized technical or trade school. The selection process is very competitive, and 3,741 applications were received this year from 63 unions and all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, two U.S. territories, and three Canadian provinces. 

Visit unionplus.org/scholarship for applications and benefit eligibility. 

About Union Plus 

Union Plus, founded by the AFL-CIO in 1986, uses the collective buying power of America’s 12.5 million union members to deliver top-quality benefits and services at competitive prices to working families. In addition to the scholarship program, Union Plus offers the Free College program, which makes it possible for union members and their families to earn an associate degree completely online at no cost. As a complement to the Free College program, Union Plus offers the Bachelor’s Degree Completion program, providing union members and their families a no-cost option to complete their bachelor’s degree completely online. Union Plus also provides a wide range of money-saving programs, including discounts on wireless services from AT&T, the only nationwide unionized wireless carrier; insurance protection; savings on travel and recreation; and more. For additional information, visit unionplus.org.