Fourteen students at Wayne Community College (WCC) have recently been awarded scholarships from the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) Foundation, providing vital financial assistance for their education.
The SECU Foundation’s “Bridge to Career” Program has supported twelve of these students, each receiving a $500 scholarship aimed at mitigating the financial obstacles faced by those pursuing state-regulated or industry-recognized credentials. This program has been instrumental in bolstering community college workforce development throughout North Carolina since its inception in 2018.
The scholarship recipients, which include students from varied fields, are organized as follows based on their city of residence:
In Dudley, Jordan Dy’Mere Pompey is pursuing a Pharmacy Technician certification. Goldsboro students include Beverly Artist (Medical Billing and Coding), Silvia Maritza Calnan (Real Estate Pre-Licensing), Rayn Lierra Hagans (Medical Office Assistant), Johnette Ernisha Latoya King (Nurse Aide I), Daphna Laveus (Real Estate Pre-Licensing), Mikemia Lasha Pendleton (EKG Monitoring Technician), and Karolina Renee Pittman (Emergency Medical Technician). From Greenville, Nywon Amir Bass is studying as an Emergency Medical Technician. In Mount Olive, Kimberly Janeen Lee is also focused on Real Estate Pre-Licensing, while Damien Raheem Foye from Pikeville is in Truck Driver Training. Completing the list, Matthew Foley from Seven Springs is studying Phlebotomy.
In addition to these scholarships, two students were awarded the prestigious “People Helping People” scholarships, valued at $5,000 each, distributed over four semesters. Ana Eslyn, a Dental Assisting student from Mount Olive, and Raven Mesimer, an Associate Degree Nursing student from Goldsboro, are this year’s distinguished recipients of this honor. The SECU Foundation grants two such scholarships annually to each of North Carolina’s 58 community colleges, with selections based on academic excellence, community involvement, leadership, and integrity.
Katrina Lee, WCC’s Director of Financial Aid and Veteran Services, highlighted the significant role the SECU Foundation plays in supporting the educational journeys of students. She stated, “Through its scholarship awards, the State Employees’ Credit Union Foundation has helped ease financial burdens and empowered recipients to pursue their academic and career goals with greater focus and confidence.” Lee emphasized that these scholarships not only affirm students’ potential but also pave the way for transformative opportunities in their lives.
The SECU has been a committed partner to WCC since 2005, continually supporting student success through generous investment in scholarships and community initiatives. As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, SECU serves as the second-largest credit union in the U.S., managing $56 billion in assets and providing services to over 2.9 million members.
Founded in 2004, the SECU Foundation is dedicated to fostering local community development in North Carolina. With over $328 million committed to high-impact projects in education, healthcare, housing, and human services, the foundation’s contributions have had a substantial and positive impact on the lives of many North Carolinians.