Students whose families earn $80k or less should complete the FAFSA to apply!

This fall, get money for college that you don't have to pay back. The Next NC Scholarship is a financial aid program that helps most North Carolinians from households making $80,000 or less pursue higher education by fully covering tuition and fees at Southeastern Community College. The best part? It’s money that doesn’t have to be repaid.

Southeastern Community College automotive technology student Zachary King was nominated for the North Carolina Community College System Academic Excellence Award. Pioneering the revived automotive technology program, King will be the first student to graduate with automotive credentials after the program’s more than 30-year hiatus at SCC.  

“While I was in high school, I discovered a passion for the automotive field while working part-time at Blacks Tire Service,” King said. “This interest continued, and I was ready to enroll in an automotive program after graduation.” 

Southeastern Community College electrical engineering and mechatronics engineering technology student Maurice Simmons was nominated for the N.C. Community College System Governor Robert Scott Leadership Award. As the Student Government Association President, an SCC Student Ambassador and member of Campus Crusade for Christ, Simmons said he demonstrated leadership skills through his heavy involvement on campus, patience, welcoming of ideas and goal-setting skills. 

“I believe in setting clear goals and creating a collaborative environment where everyone can grow,” Simmons said. “Two key aspects of my leadership style are supporting the team and stepping up when challenges arise.” 

The cosmetology department welcomed the South Columbus Stallions on March 7 and the West Columbus Vikings on March 21 to the world of hair, nails and skincare at Southeastern Community College. Eli Murillo, lead cosmetology instructor, directed the tour through the salon, nail and esthetics classrooms, and the students got hands-on experience with eyebrows under the direction of senior cosmetology student Zemii Cisneros Nunez. 

“As soon as we walked onto the salon floor, numerous students’ faces lit up,” Murillo said. “They took pictures in front of our selfie wall. When we got to the nail room and esthetics room, students really started asking questions.”  

Southeastern Community College medical laboratory technology student Briana Edwards was nominated for the 2024 Dallas Herring Achievement Award. Edwards went from a college dropout to a 4.0 GPA student with ambitions to acquire a bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science. Her journey of sacrifice, growth and determination allowed her to push through her financial issues in paying for college and seek out the extra help and motivation from her instructors.  

“My parents passed away when I was 11 years old and neither of them had graduated from high school, though my dad did go back to get his GED later in life,” Edwards said. “They both wanted me to receive a college education more than anything. My goal was to find a career and gain the education my parents always dreamed for me to have.” 

Parents and 8th grade students explored options for their high school journey at Columbus Career and College Academy during an open house event on March 7. CCCA is on Southeastern Community College’s campus, where students can access career and technical education pathways. 

CCCA Principal Christian Godwin said the early college is an accelerated program with high expectations that requires motivation, a great work ethic and personal responsibility. Students have five years to earn their high school diploma and associates degree.  

Six students pioneered the first Advanced Emergency Medical Technician high-flex classroom model at SCC that landed them with a 100% pass rate on their state exam. Associate Dean of Fire and EMS Training Brandy Nance described the pilot program as the first of its kind in North Carolina. 

“I don’t know of anyone else in the state who uses a high-flex classroom for EMS,” Nance said. “So, I said why don’t we use our high-flex classroom and model that for our future AEMT classes. Students will have the option to be in the classroom or online.” 

It was a momentous day for 17 graduates at Tabor Correctional Institution as they turned their tassel and received their high school equivalency diplomas through Southeastern Community College’s Transitional Studies program on Feb. 26.  

“This was a great day in the making, and it has been several years since we have been able to be part of a ceremony due to the pandemic,” said Travis Paul, SCC’s director of law enforcement training and prison education. “Warden Jamie Bullard, Associate Warden Alfred Williams and the programs staff at TCI did a great job providing the offenders with a day they will never forget.”