16 Students Receive SECU Bridge to Career Scholarships
Published: May 23, 2019
Funds help pay for courses in biotechnology, healthcare and electrical wiring.
Johnston Community College recognized its first SECU Foundation Bridge to Career Scholars during a recent ceremony.
SECU Foundation has established the SECU Bridge to Career Program to help remove financial barriers for students seeking to obtain state-regulated or industry recognized credentials through the workforce continuing education division of their local community college that lead to sustainable wage careers within their local communities.
JCC is one of 20 pilot community colleges in North Carolina chosen to award the scholarships totaling $18,000 per college. For 2018-19, 16 students in the approved pathways of biotechnology, healthcare and electrical wiring at JCC were awarded the funds.
Keayona Hawkins of Clayton said she was extremely grateful for the SECU Bridget to Career scholarship which paid for her nursing assistant class.
“Without this scholarship, I would not have been able to complete this class nor would I be entering the nursing program in August,” she said. “This has been a weight off of my shoulders to have this happen and have this class paid for.”
The following students are JCC’s first SECU Bridge to Career scholars:
Tyler Williams of Clayton (electrical); Keayona Hawkins of Clayton (healthcare); Meghan Daniels of Goldsboro (biopharma); Vania Oliveira of Clayton (biopharma); Vida Surles of Four Oaks (healthcare); Tyrell Robertson of Clayton (healthcare); Cassandra Van Der Velden of Roseboro (healthcare); Darla Albaugh of Garner (healthcare); Christy Jones of Garner (healthcare); Rebecca Chandler of Foua Oaks (healthcare); Wendy Phillips of Garner (healthcare); Latrice Brantley of Princeton (electrical); Christopher Kelly of Clayton (biopharma); David Wade of Goldsboro (biopharma); Brad Bullock of Garner (biopharma); and Elijah Beuchot of Garner (electrical).
Recipients must be enrolled in a short-term training program of 96 hours or more that leads to a state-regulated or industry-recognized credential, must be a U.S. citizen and North Carolina resident, and be a part of one of the following target groups -- unemployed, underemployed, member of the NC National Guard, military veteran or spouse or underserved populations in a specific workforce sector or area.
Scholarships cover registration fees, books and materials, and testing fees for courses and pathways leading to state or industry recognized credentials. Any balance is to be released to the student for living expenses such as transportation, childcare, food, and housing.
JCC is currently seeking applicants for 2019-20. For more information about SECU Bridge to Career Scholarships at JCC, please contact Vic McCormick at kvmccormick@johnstoncc.edu or (919) 209-2595.
Cut line: Pictured from left on the front row are: Tyler Williams (electrical), Keayona Hawkins (healthcare), Meghan Daniels (biopharma), Vania Oliveira (biopharma), Vida Surles (healthcare), Tyrell Robertson (healthcare), Dr. David Johnson, JCC president.
Back row: Jay Greenstock, SECU representative; Cassandra Van Der Velden (healthcare); Darla Albaugh (healthcare); Christy Jones (healthcare); Rebecca Chandler (healthcare); and Vic McCormick, director of workforce training.