Hyundai Motor America has contributed $90,000 to the University of California, Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business since 2023. This funding supports the school’s Future Leaders Initiative (FLI), which aims to provide business education and career preparation for local, underserved high school and community college students.
The Future Leaders Initiative offers in-person courses at the UCI campus, covering tech-driven business education, financial literacy, and career readiness. Over the past decade, FLI has served 3,000 underrepresented students. The program, which runs for six days, has expanded its reach to approximately 300 students annually in the last five years. This year’s session was held from July 27 to August 1.
Beyond financial support, Hyundai engages directly with the students. Brandon Ramirez, Hyundai’s director of corporate social responsibility, noted that the partnership "goes beyond a single classroom visit or summer course participation," incorporating industry perspective, employee engagement, and technology demonstrations. Hyundai executives, including Gil Gastillo, director of regulatory compliance, have spoken to FLI students. The company also brings its vehicles to campus to showcase new technologies.
Last year, more than 60 students from Orange County participated in a Hyundai-hosted course focused on the design and electrification elements of the 2026 IONIQ 9 SUV. Hyundai stated that its sustained support for UC Irvine is part of its commitment to investing in local communities, including Orange County, where its North American headquarters are located.
The Future Leaders Initiative collaborates annually with various Orange County business leaders. These collaborations provide students with professional insights into technology industries, drawing from executives at companies such as CathWorks in Newport Beach, Cotality, and Karma Automotive in Irvine. Dean Ian O. Williamson of the Paul Merage School of Business commented in an April statement that the school aims to ensure local students have a pathway into the economy, recognizing Orange County's concentration of innovative companies.
In addition to the support for the Merage School, Hyundai made a separate $15,000 donation last month to the UCI Basic Needs Center. This center assists students in accessing essential resources, including food, emergency housing, transportation support, and financial wellness programming during their studies.
Andrea Mora, Director of the Basic Needs Center, stated that Hyundai’s contribution will allow the center to purchase additional food, improving the variety and nutritional value of items available at the campus food pantry. Mora also noted that the food pantry served 4,230 distinct students through 19,526 visits over the past year. Hyundai employees also contributed professional attire to the center through a clothing drive.
Brandon Ramirez of Hyundai reiterated the company’s view that "Investing in students today creates stronger communities tomorrow."
