Diversity equals strength
In Sallie Mae’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report, you’ll learn how we support diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace and communities
Jon Witter
Chief Exective Officer
At Sallie Mae, we succeed when each of our team members can fully contribute and grow while supporting our important mission. Fostering a diverse and inclusive environment is the right thing to do and it’s right for our business.
Creating a diverse, inclusive, and engaged workforce
We’re focused on providing a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace—where team members feel seen, understood, respected, valued, safe, recognized, and rewarded. With DEI at the heart of our mission and culture, Sallie Mae aspires to be the most inclusive and just workplace in America.
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Promoting a culture where diverse people thrive
At Sallie Mae, our team members can develop and grow in their careers with confidence. We’ve introduced new diversity focused programs and a hybrid work model to allow for flexibility, connection and growth, while continuing to provide competitive benefits to our 1,700+ team members.
Be a champion for students at Sallie Mae
Moving forward with our DEI efforts
In 2022, we made significant progress in building a just, inclusive, and mission-led culture through our continued DEI efforts. Through regular learning and engagement forums and features spotlighting our employee community, we continue to provide a sense of belonging where our team members can feel empowered to bring their full selves to work every day.
Sallie Mae welcomed Dr. Tony Allen, Delaware State University President and Chair of President Biden’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), to our Newark headquarters in September 2022. Our discussion with Dr. Allen focused on the important role of HBCUs in advancing access and completion in higher education.
We launched “Second Tuesday,” a curated set of monthly events designed to re-acquaint team members with their in-office communities and showcase aspects of Sallie Mae’s work and diverse culture. Team members get to learn more about a variety of topics and reconnect with colleagues in a meaningful way.
Sallie Mae’s DEI Council provides guidance to promote DEI in company policies and advises the leadership team on issues of culture, equity, inclusion, and diversity in the workplace. The Council strives to enable an organizational culture where all employees feel valued, have a sense of belonging, and feel empowered to do their best work.
We developed a new series of “person-on-the-street” style interviews spotlighting team members of all tenures, levels, and areas of the organization. The monthly profiles showcase the diversity of talent and perspective at Sallie Mae.
Continuing our
commitment to DEI
In 2022, we also made significant strategic philanthropic investments through our charitable arm, The Sallie Mae Fund, including:
$385,000 to advance social justice and support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). In addition, we provided $1 million in scholarships through our Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program, in partnership with Thurgood Marshall College Fund, as part of our three-year $3 million commitment to assist students from underserved and underrepresented communities.
Sallie Mae Bank also provided $71 million in new investments to support low- and -moderate income housing in Utah and an additional $371,000 in scholarships and grants to Utah students through the Community Reinvestment Act.
$71 million
for low- and -moderate income housing in Utah through the Community Reinvestment Act
$1 million
in scholarships awarded to underserved and underrepresented students, in partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund
$371 thousand
in scholarships and grants to Utah students
$3 million
committed over 3 years to assist students from underserved and underrepresented communities
$385 thousand
to advance and promote social justice, including $100,000 to support 2022 National Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) week
Sallie Mae recognized as a top place to work
U.S. News and World Report has named Sallie Mae as one of its 2023-24 Best Companies to Work For. Discover your career path at a mission-led company offering a diverse, flexible work environment, opportunities to grow, and more.