Empowering futures: 23 students awarded SECU scholarships
In a celebration of opportunity and perseverance, 23 Randolph Community College students were awarded $500 Bridge to Career (BTC) Scholarships from the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) Foundation. During a heartfelt ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the JB and Claire Davis Corporate Training Center, the recipients were recognized for their commitment to advancing their careers, with RCC staff and SECU representatives offering support and encouragement for their bright futures.
“We are incredibly grateful to the State Employees’ Credit Union Foundation for their continued support of our students,” RCC President/CEO Dr. Shah Ardalan said. “These scholarships reflect our shared commitment to building a skilled workforce in North Carolina. By removing financial barriers, the SECU Foundation is empowering students to focus on their education, advance their careers, and contribute to the economic vitality of our community. At RCC, we believe every student deserves access to opportunities for success, and partnerships like this make that vision a reality.”
One of those helped by the BTC Scholarship is Phlebotomy student Annie Wallace, who is a single mother raising seven children, including three she adopted from her late aunt.
“I decided to be the one to step up and take those kids on,” she said. “I have endured homelessness in the fight of trying to keep these kids in my home. I have not been one that has ever been a recipient of anything much except my beautiful children. I chose to go back to work and go back to school to be able to provide for them and give them what they need. Randolph Community College and the State Employees Credit Union have made it possible for me to move forward in my life and make a better life for my children.”
The scholarship recipients (with their course of study) are Joyce Bledsoe (Electronic Health Records), Daniel Caraballo (EMT-Basic), Abigail Caulder (Vet Assistant 1), Cameron Chapman (Electronic Health Records), Rosetta Clark (Medical Terminology and Anatomy), Homar Fernandez-Cabral (Truck Drivers Training), Tammy Gause (Medical Terminology and Anatomy), Kelsie Harris (Medical Coding), Leslie Hesse (CNA - Nursing Assistant 1), Lemmuel Hill (Truck Driver Training), Melody Hill (EMT-Basic), Adonta Lee (Electronic Health Records), Angela Lopez (Therapeutic Massage), Jaer Margarito (MIG 1 Welding and Residential Wiring), Aaleaha Miller (Therapeutic Massage), Luis Nieto (MIG 1 Welding), Sarah Robertson (Vet Assistant 1), Nadia Siler Headen (Phlebotomy), Dana Sorrell (Electronic Health Records), Heather Spinks (Medical Coding), Branton Trice (EKG), Delanie Turner (CNA - Nursing Assistant 1), Annie Wallace (Phlebotomy),
The SECU Bridge to Career program is currently available to all 58 North Carolina Community Colleges and helps remove financial barriers for students seeking state-regulated or industry-recognized credentials that lead to sustainable wage careers within their communities. SECU Bridge to Career provides funding for $500 scholarships, to be awarded to up to 30 eligible students at each of the 58 NC Community College campuses. SECU Bridge to Career Program focuses on assisting unemployed and underemployed adults, military veterans, and members of the National Guard with marketable job skills that lead to sustainable wage careers within their communities.
Randolph Community College (RCC), under the leadership of President/CEO Dr. Shah Ardalan, is committed to providing relevant career training and educational opportunities. Ranked No. 1 in North Carolina by Niche.com and SmartAsset and second in the nation by SmartAsset, the College offers affordable degrees and short-term certificate programs that start throughout the year, both in person and online. For more information, call 336-633-0200 or visit www.randolph.edu and expect to engage with the most competent and compassionate team of faculty and staff.