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Chick-fil-A Awards First $25K Scholarship in Puerto Rico
Feb. 28, 2025
Team Member Nileika Cherena aspires to become a local Chick-fil-A Owner-Operator on the Island
When Nileika Cherena, a Chick-fil-A® Team Member in Puerto Rico, arrived at work one day in late February, she had no idea that her life was about to change. Later that day, Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew T. Cathy surprised her at Chick-fil-A La Rambla in Ponce to share that she was the brand’s first $25,000 scholarship recipient on the Island.
With this opportunity, Nileika plans to use her scholarship from Chick-fil-A, Inc. to pay off student loans, so she can graduate and help Chick-fil-A expand its brand in Puerto Rico.
Nileika’s journey with Chick-fil-A
Nileika was inspired to apply for a Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures™ scholarship after applying for an internship at the Chick-fil-A Inc. Support Center in Atlanta while working on her undergraduate degree in finance at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez. When she was selected and got a behind-the-scenes look at the company and its operations, she was inspired to pursue Restaurant leadership.
“As soon as I returned to Puerto Rico from Atlanta my mind was made up,” Nileika says. “I met with Enrique Questell, the local Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A La Rambla in Ponce and asked if he would become my mentor.”
At the time, Nileika already was cobbling together multiple part-time jobs to defray college costs. As one of six children from a low-income home, she needed that income to bridge the gap between the Pell Grant and the cost of tuition and supplies. Although the commute to Enrique’s Restaurant and the time commitment is significant, Nileika says it’s paying off as she learns the ins and outs of how to run a quality, Guest-focused local business.
“Nili has been an amazing addition to our Restaurant,” says Enrique. “She’s taken ownership and leadership in the administration aspects of our business and demonstrates her business acumen all the time.” Enrique says her passion and financial acumen make her a promising candidate for future business leadership.
How this scholarship supports her advancement
Nileika still has a year and a half before she completes her finance degree, but the
Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures scholarship helps give her peace of mind to concentrate on finishing strong without feeling anxious about tuition payments.
“It’s a big relief to know that I can now graduate debt-free and give my all to becoming a transformational leader at Chick-fil-A,” she says. “After graduation, I look forward to applying for the Chick-fil-A Leadership Development Program, so I can hopefully own my own Restaurant and pay this honor forward to develop other Team Members.”
Since 1973, Chick-fil-A has contributed $215 million to advance higher education for more than 122,000 Team Members. Learn more about the program and other winners here.
Team Member Nileika Cherena aspires to become a local Chick-fil-A Owner-Operator on the Island
When Nileika Cherena, a Chick-fil-A® Team Member in Puerto Rico, arrived at work one day in late February, she had no idea that her life was about to change. Later that day, Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew T. Cathy surprised her at Chick-fil-A La Rambla in Ponce to share that she was the brand’s first $25,000 scholarship recipient on the Island.
With this opportunity, Nileika plans to use her scholarship from Chick-fil-A, Inc. to pay off student loans, so she can graduate and help Chick-fil-A expand its brand in Puerto Rico.
Nileika’s journey with Chick-fil-A
Nileika was inspired to apply for a Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures™ scholarship after applying for an internship at the Chick-fil-A Inc. Support Center in Atlanta while working on her undergraduate degree in finance at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez. When she was selected and got a behind-the-scenes look at the company and its operations, she was inspired to pursue Restaurant leadership.
“As soon as I returned to Puerto Rico from Atlanta my mind was made up,” Nileika says. “I met with Enrique Questell, the local Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A La Rambla in Ponce and asked if he would become my mentor.”
At the time, Nileika already was cobbling together multiple part-time jobs to defray college costs. As one of six children from a low-income home, she needed that income to bridge the gap between the Pell Grant and the cost of tuition and supplies. Although the commute to Enrique’s Restaurant and the time commitment is significant, Nileika says it’s paying off as she learns the ins and outs of how to run a quality, Guest-focused local business.
“Nili has been an amazing addition to our Restaurant,” says Enrique. “She’s taken ownership and leadership in the administration aspects of our business and demonstrates her business acumen all the time.” Enrique says her passion and financial acumen make her a promising candidate for future business leadership.
How this scholarship supports her advancement
Nileika still has a year and a half before she completes her finance degree, but the
Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures scholarship helps give her peace of mind to concentrate on finishing strong without feeling anxious about tuition payments.
“It’s a big relief to know that I can now graduate debt-free and give my all to becoming a transformational leader at Chick-fil-A,” she says. “After graduation, I look forward to applying for the Chick-fil-A Leadership Development Program, so I can hopefully own my own Restaurant and pay this honor forward to develop other Team Members.”
Since 1973, Chick-fil-A has contributed $215 million to advance higher education for more than 122,000 Team Members. Learn more about the program and other winners here.
