Alcoa Foundation Joins with Institute for Civic Leadership to Establish Alcoa Global Service Leaders Scholarship Program

Program Open to Students Ages 15-18; Applications to Attend ICL Summer Academy Accepted Now through April 22, 2011

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alcoa Foundation is joining with Institute for Civic Leadership (ICL) to establish the Alcoa Global Service Leaders Scholarship Program. Through the program, 50 students, ages 15 to 18, from around the world, can apply for full scholarships up to US$5,000 to attend ICL’s 2011 Summer Academy, a comprehensive, two-week hands-on summer leadership program for students who have passion for leadership and service. Interested students can apply online via www.alcoa.com/serviceleaders. Applications must be received by April 22, 2011, and award winners will be notified May 2, 2011.

“At Alcoa, we work hard to create an inclusive culture that embraces diversity, inspires initiative, drives innovation and rewards excellence,” said Klaus Kleinfeld, Alcoa Chairman and CEO. “The Alcoa Global Service Leaders Scholarship Program was created to recognize those students who embody these attributes and demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and service leadership in their communities.”

“We thank Alcoa for their vision and support of the next generation of global leaders through sustainable leadership training,” said Kirk Spahn, Board President and Co-Founder of the Institute for Civic Leadership, “and for their generosity in providing 50 deserving students with the skills and tools necessary to becoming sustainable leaders in their communities.”

Alcoa Foundation scholarships will be awarded based on a combination of a student’s merit and need and will cover full program costs, including tuition, roundtrip international travel and passport and visa fees, if necessary. Applications will be evaluated by an elite panel of international judges from industry, government, sports and academics, including tennis great Monica Seles, former National Football League linebacker Brandon Short, former United Kingdom Ambassador to the United Nations Jeremy Greenstock, diplomat Mitra Vasisht of the Indian Foreign Service, and Jordan’s Prince Rashid el Hassan.

The scholarship winners will have a unique opportunity to study and learn together at Dwight International School, Vancouver Island, Canada. In a “classroom without walls,” students learn about sustainable leadership and the key skills to enable them to lead now and in the future. During workshops, team-building exercises, games and excursions, highly trained educators will push students to reach their highest leadership potential.

“After two weeks, students become part of a network of service leaders from around the world and have a different understanding of themselves and their ability to make service count,” said Mr. Spahn. “Participation in the ICL Academy helps students answer the most critical questions asked by both colleges and future employers: How are you a leader? How can you make a difference?”

For more information about Alcoa’s Global Service Leaders Scholarship Program and to complete a scholarship application, visit www.alcoa.com/serviceleaders. For questions about the application and the Summer Academy, email ICL at info@iclny.org.

About Alcoa Foundation

Alcoa Foundation is one of the largest corporate foundations in the U.S., with assets of approximately US $420 million. In addition to addressing local needs in communities where Alcoa operates, Alcoa Foundation is focused on promoting environmental stewardship, enabling economic and social sustainability, and preparing tomorrow's leaders through education and learning. Alcoa Foundation was founded more than 50 years ago and has invested more than US $515 million since 1952. Alcoa employees share their energy, passion and purpose to make a difference in our communities through the Alcoa Volunteers Program, which last year recorded 650,000 hours of service to 9,000 charitable organizations. Their time was matched with US $4 million in Alcoa volunteer grants. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com/foundation.

About Alcoa

Alcoa (NYSE:AA) is the world’s leading producer of primary and fabricated aluminum, as well as the world’s largest miner of bauxite and refiner of alumina. In addition to inventing the modern-day aluminum industry, Alcoa innovation has been behind major milestones in the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation, consumer electronics and industrial markets over the past 120 years. Among the solutions Alcoa markets are flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, as well as Alcoa? wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and building systems in addition to its expertise in other light metals such as titanium and nickel-based super alloys. Sustainability is an integral part of Alcoa’s operating practices and the product design and engineering it provides to customers. Alcoa has been a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for nine consecutive years and approximately 75 percent of all of the aluminum ever produced since 1888 is still in active use today. Alcoa employs approximately 59,000 people in 31 countries across the world. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.

About the Institute for Civic Leadership (ICL)

ICL inspires and connects a global network of service leaders who are “Making Service Count” in order to build a better world. ICL’s mission is to ensure that students and faculty around the world, who have become service leaders in their schools and communities, are recognized for their leadership in civic engagement, given training to enhance their leadership skills and provided with the resources to promote and sustain their endeavors. At ICL, we teach our students leadership skills that include critical thinking, teamwork, communication, reflection and self-awareness. With these skills, we empower our participants to use their passion for service to build a better world. For more information, visit www.iclny.org.