Learners to Leaders
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Dave Townsend
Tel: (913) 256-5303

Learners to Leaders

A National Alliance at a Local Level

Learners to Leaders is a national alliance that helps disadvantaged individuals achieve educational goals through local programs.

Learners to Leaders focuses on those who have the desire to succeed, but don’t yet have the skills to overcome their challenges—whether academic, social, or economic. These are often first-generation college-bound students, low-income, or minority individuals.

This program is a collaborative effort among Smithfield Foods, our independent operating companies, and local educational and mentoring partners. It strives to create confident leaders by providing them with the skills to succeed and putting them in a position to give back to their communities.

Learners to Leaders Close Up

Valeria Vargas

Denison, IA
UNIVERSITY
Denison High School

Valeria plans to attend Iowa Western Community College and major in social work. She was a cheerleader and participated in Dance Team and Show Choir.

Latest Updates
05/14/2012

First Denison Learners to Leaders Class Graduates

09/30/2011

First Denison Learners to Leaders® Class to Graduate

07/26/2011

Learners to Leaders® Supports TeamMates in Crete

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Related Content
Videos
Smithfield Foods Learners to Leaders Program 1:13 Smithfield Foods Learners to Leaders Program
Learners to Leaders Videos

Smithfield Foods Learners to Leaders Program

Learn how Smithfield Foods gives back to communities by providing educational opportunities through Learners to Leaders™. Here, students from Denison, Iowa, demonstrate their solar-powered cars for President and Chief Executive Officer C. Larry Pope at Iowa State University's Science Bound Awards Dinner.

Learners to Leaders-- Saratoga Foods and Morton East High School 1:22 Learners to Leaders-- Saratoga Foods and Morton East High School
Learners to Leaders Videos

Learners to Leaders-- Saratoga Foods and Morton East High School

Students from Morton East High School in Cicero had an opportunity in December to get some practical on-the-job experience, along with sampling some interesting spices, through a unique partnership between Junior Achievement of Chicago and the Smithfield Foods family of companies. The group of 16 sophomores, juniors and seniors took part in a "job shadow" event hosted by Saratoga Food Specialties of Bolingbrook, a unit of John Morrell & Co. and its parent company, Smithfield Foods, Inc. Junior Achievement of Chicago and Smithfield's Learners to Leaders® educational initiative planned the day for the students, which included touring Saratoga's plant, office, and research and development facilities, and then shadowing employees in each work area to learn something about their job duties. The students also were treated to lunch by Saratoga's research and development staff, which prepared dishes using some of the company's signature spices. Saratoga Food Specialties produces dry spice blends, including ethnic seasonings, marinades, sauce and gravy mixes, and meat and poultry seasonings.

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Events
05/14/2012
First Denison Learners to Leaders Class Graduates
09/30/2011
First Denison Learners to Leaders® Class to Graduate
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Newsroom
Press Releases
11/01/2011
Smithfield Foods Invites Conversation With Launch of New smithfieldcommitments.com Website
07/22/2010
Smithfield Foods Releases Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report
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