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Golden LEAF funds NC Community College Scholarships

The Golden LEAF Foundation helps rural students further their education throughout the state with its scholarship programs. At its June Board meeting, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded $775,000 to the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) to help approximately 2,000 students in the 2018-2019 school year.

“Golden LEAF has awarded scholarships to the NCCCS since 2000 to help thousands of North Carolinians develop their knowledge, skill and talent,” said Dan Gerlach. “We consistently hear from industry that they are interested in the available workforce when looking to locate or expand. These scholarships are a step toward filling the skills gap to help build our state’s economy, and helping our people compete for high-wage jobs.”

Brittney Hurley of Lansing, NC in Ashe County, is an example of a student working hard to get the skills needed for meaningful employment.

Hurley graduated from Wilkes Community College in May 2018 with an associate degree in nursing. She was able to use her Golden LEAF Scholarship to assist with transportation needs to and from clinical sites.

“I live in Ashe County and had to travel as far as Iredell County at times for the clinical rotations,” said Hurley. “The Golden LEAF Scholarship provided money to help with the expense of gas and the wear on my car.”

Upon graduation, Hurley was hired at Wake Forest Baptist Health – Wilkes Medical Center and starts her new job this month.

“I am excited to begin this phase of my life,” said Hurley. “The job I am starting is my dream job.  It is where I first did clinical rotations. I also hope to start working on my BSN within the next three years.”

Fabiola Taylor, May 2018 graduate of Bladen Community College, is working hard to create a better life for her family as well as her community.

“I want to give back to my community,” said Taylor. “I want to work in my hometown as a PA because a lot of my community does not speak English, or speak English well. This creates a barrier for the Hispanic community in seeking healthcare when we cannot explain what’s wrong or understand what we are being told by health professionals.”

Fabiola Taylor earned certified nursing assistant (CNA) degree and has an associate of arts and sciences degree. She is from Dublin, NC in Bladen County. She said she was able to use the Golden LEAF Scholarship to help pay for her uniform and boots for her clinical rotations while getting her CNA.

“I am a nontraditional-aged student with a family, and English is my second language,” said Fabiola Taylor. “I had to overcome a lot to get to where I am, but I was given so much help by Bladen Community College with financial aid assistance and career advice.”

Fabiola Taylor is attending Methodist University in Fall 2018 and plans to get a degree in biology and then pursue a career as a physician assistant.

Morgan Taylor of Tarboro wants to be a local business owner and is willing to work hard to reach her goals.

“My goal after finishing college is to go out and pursue a business-related job,” said Taylor. “Long term, that might mean having my own small business. I’ve always thought of doing that.”

She received the Golden LEAF Scholarship in Fall 2017 and Spring 2018, while attending Edgecombe Community College.  Morgan Taylor said her scholarship helped her with expenses such as paying for books and other costs of attending college. She plans to finish her undergraduate education and work toward a master’s degree.

“My long-term goals are to finish my education that I need in order to be successful in a career and to live a healthy and financially stable life,” said Morgan Taylor.

She graduated in May 2018 with a Business Administration degree and will be attending North Carolina Wesleyan College in the fall to pursue a four-year degree in business.


About the Golden LEAF Scholarship – Two Year Program

The Golden LEAF Scholarship – Two Year Program provides up to $750 per semester, including summer term, for curriculum students and up to $250 per semester for students enrolling in occupational programs. Awards can be applied toward tuition, fees, books and supplies at the community college where the recipient is enrolled, and to transportation, child care expenses related to attending classes, and mid-skills credential testing upon course completion.

Each participating college will set the deadline for the scholarship application. Contact your college’s financial aid office as soon as you plan to enroll to determine application deadlines.

Staff

EdNC staff reporting relies on staff, interns, and columnists.