Jay and Jyoti Chaudhry Pledge $4 Million For First-Generation Students

India-West Staff Reporter

CINCINNATI, OH – Indian American technology entrepreneur Jay Chaudhry and his wife Jyothi have made a transformative $4 million donation to the University of Cincinnati (UC), aimed at supporting first-generation college students. The pledge will establish the Chaudhry Family Scholarship Fund, which will provide scholarships to approximately 150 Pell-eligible students beginning in the fall of 2025.

The funds will benefit students living in UC’s Gen-1 1MPACT House, a living-learning community designed specifically for first-generation college students. This scholarship will bridge financial gaps, ensuring that students receive the support needed to complete their education without the burden of unmanageable debt.

The Chaudhrys, both of whom are UC alumni, spoke about the significant impact the university had on their careers. “We are very grateful for the excellent education we got at UC, which played a significant role in our success,” said Jay Chaudhry, who earned multiple master’s degrees in engineering and business from the university in the 1980s. His wife, Jyothi, earned her MBA from UC in 1987.

“This scholarship fund is a gesture of our gratitude and appreciation to our alma mater that will help many needy students to complete their college education and change their and their families’ lives,” they added.

UC President Neville G. Pinto expressed deep gratitude for the couple’s generosity, emphasizing the lasting impact the donation will have on students, their families, and their communities. “Jay and Jyoti are dedicated partners in our ongoing commitment to first-generation students,” Pinto said. “Their generosity will forever change the lives of these students.”

The Gen-1 program, which was established in 2008, is the nation’s first living-learning community specifically for first-generation students. The program provides a wide array of academic, personal, and social support services, helping students navigate the unique challenges they face in college. With a retention rate of 98% from the first to second year, Gen-1 students are significantly more likely to graduate than the national average of 68% for first-generation students.

Suzette Combs, director of the Gen-1 Program, stressed that the gift will alleviate financial stress for students, allowing them to focus on their studies and extracurricular activities. “This gift lets them know that there are people out there who believe in them and think they belong here,” Combs said.

In addition to his work at Zscaler, a cloud security company he founded with his wife in 2007, Jay Chaudhry’s roots in education and philanthropy run deep. He grew up in a small village in India, where his parents instilled a strong value for education. His personal journey from a small village in Himachal Pradesh to becoming the CEO of a successful tech company exemplifies the power of education in transforming lives.

The Chaudhry Family Scholarship Fund will make it possible for many students, who otherwise may not have had the opportunity, to pursue their dreams and reach their full potential at UC.