$100,000 CIBC Gift supports Indigenous students at Royal Roads

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Nelson Chan, Matt Gillberg, Jacky Weber, Philip Steenkamp, Spencer Walker, Russell Johnston, Cherylanne James, Shelby Blackjack stand in a line. Philip and Spencer hold a large cheque for $100,000 from CIBC to Royal Roads University.

Indigenous students entering any Royal Roads University leadership and management program will now be eligible to receive a CIBC Entrance Award thanks to a generous donation of $100,000 from CIBC.

“At CIBC we’re creating a culture of inclusion, and accessibility plays a large role in this. We believe that everyone should have access to opportunities to help achieve their ambitions, which is why removing barriers to progress is so important,” says Veni Iozzo, EVP, Workplace Transformation and Enterprise Real Estate at CIBC. “As a graduate of Royal Roads, I know the life-changing educational experiences it offers students. The CIBC Entrance Award will provide additional pathways to meaningful employment to the next generation of changemakers and leaders.”

The CIBC Entrance Award will provide qualifying Indigenous students with support in the range of$2,000 to $10,000 towards tuition and fees. 

“We are grateful for CIBC’s support,” says President and Vice-Chancellor of Royal Roads University Philip Steenkamp. “The CIBC Entrance Award will benefit up to 50 Indigenous students studying business and leadership at our university as well as supporting economic self-determination for award recipients.”

The CIBC Entrance Award is intended to reach and support the growing number of Indigenous students attending Royal Roads University. Eligible students are encouraged to apply to the CIBC Entrance Award as part of their program application. The first entrance awards will be disbursed in 2025. 

Entrance awards are also the focus of the university’s RRU Together alumni appeal, which sparked excitement for Iozzo, who is a Royal Roads MBA alum.

“As an employee, I’m proud that CIBC is supporting the transformational education my alma mater offers,” Iozzo says. “Tuition support is integral for students pursuing new skills, and this award will provide access to those opportunities.”

CIBC’s generous donation marks one of the first to be announced towards the university’s most ambitions fundraising campaign – Leading with Courage –which aims to harness the power of local and global communities to find solutions and connections that transform lives and the world.