SCC students honored at annual SECU Foundation scholarship ceremony
The North Carolina State Employees’ Credit Union Award Ceremony recognized two People Helping People scholarship recipients and 29 Bridge to Career scholarship recipients in the Nesmith Student Center on April 16 at Southeastern Community College. The SECU Foundation presented an $18,000 check to SCC to fund the Bridge to Career scholarship program.
SCC’s Director of Financial Aid and Whiteville branch SECU Advisory Board Member Sheila Dockery presented a certificate on behalf of the SECU Foundation to SCC cosmetology student Lauren Brown. Brown was one of two recipients of the $5,000 People Helping People 2025 scholarship, while Davis Strickland, an electrical engineering student, received the other. Strickland was unable to attend the ceremony.
“We are thrilled to support North Carolina students as they continue their academic journey through our state’s excellent community college system,” Dockery said. “Over the course of 20 years, the Foundation has awarded over $11.5 million to help make college more accessible and affordable for students across the state. These scholarships are a testament to the recipients’ hard work and determination, demonstration of leadership and strong commitment to helping others in their community.”
Dockery explained the foundation’s vision for supporting students at all 58 N.C. community colleges. She said the Foundation continues to build a “solid foundation for students to be successful” in attaining a college education and rewarding career and future.
Financial Aid Technical Specialist Natasha Villalobos presented certificates and gift bags to the Bridge to Career scholarship recipients. After the certificate presentation, SCC paramedic student and Bridge to Career scholarship recipient Logan Olenik was the guest speaker.
“Programs like this don’t just provide financial support,” Olenik said. “They open doors that might otherwise stay closed. Thank you for investing in students and in the future.”
Representing the Tabor City branch’s SECU Advisory Board, Rontonio Stanley said the Bridge to Career scholarship program plays an “integral role” in supporting students and their career goals. Praising the North Carolina Community College System as “world class,” Stanley thanked SCC’s continued partnership with the SECU Foundation and its efforts to promote education.
“This partnership with State Employees’ Credit Union reflects a lot of the other partnerships we have in Columbus County, and we’re thankful for those partnerships,” said SCC Executive Vice President Dr. Brandon Jenkins. “We can’t do this without those individuals, those industries and businesses that pour back into this campus and simultaneously pour back into our students.”
To learn more about scholarship opportunities at SCC, contact the Office of Financial Aid at [email protected] or 910-788-6214. Visit the Financial Aid Office in A-building on campus.
