October 17, 2024

SECU Foundation makes scholarship presentations at R-CCC

 

AHOSKIE, NC – Roanoke-Chowan Community College (R-CCC) welcomed representatives of the State Employees Credit Union (SECU) on Oct. 10 to present the SECU Foundation’s “People Helping People” Community College Scholarships and Bridge to Career Scholarships. SECU Foundation has awarded more than $11 billion over 20 years to help make college more accessible and affordable for students.

“I started here in May 2021 and ever since then, the State Employees Credit Union has been supporting our students. Some of our students come to us hungry, homeless and they don’t have the resources they need to matriculate at our institution. Even though we are only a two-year institution, two years is a long time if you don’t have the resources you need,” said R-CCC President Dr. Murray J. Williams. 

“We are very grateful for the State Employees Credit Union and all that you do for our students each year. You all could have given these funds to anyone else, but you chose to give them to Roanoke-Chowan, and we want you to know how grateful we are. On behalf of our students, we want to say thank you,” Williams continued.

R-CCC students Shomya Futrell and Jacqueline Walton are recipients of this year’s SECU Foundation Community College Scholarship. According to the SECU Foundation website, each NC community college receives two-year scholarships valued at up to $5,000 each. This represents an annual financial commitment to the NC community college system of up to $580,000.

Futrell, who resides in Woodland, said, “Receiving the SECU scholarship will open doors for me to dive deeper into my school and community. With less financial stress, I can further immerse myself in my studies and extracurricular activities. The scholarship will also help me secure reliable transportation, making it easier to attend classes and events without worry. Plus, it will grant me access to essential resources like books and networking opportunities. This support will not only improve my educational journey, but it will also allow me to connect with others and make meaningful connections with those I meet.”

Walton, who is a Lewiston resident agreed. “The SECU scholarship will help me reach forward in the desire to help others. I’m so thankful,” she added.

SECU Senior Vice President James Eure presented the SECU Bridge to Career Scholarship, totaling $18,000. He explained that in 2018, SECU Foundation established the SECU Bridge to Career Program to remove financial barriers for students seeking to obtain careers leading to sustainable wages in the local community. 

“We’ve been so excited since 2018 to help a lot of people to get those credentials to get them into the workforce,” said Eure, who has been employed by SECU for 39 years and is a former trustee of R-CCC.

The SECU Bridge to Career program provides funding for $500 scholarships to be awarded to up to 30 eligible students enrolling in short-term, career-focused training that leads to state-regulated or industry-recognized credentials at each NC community college. Scholarship funds are applied to education expenses associated with the students’ programs of study through the local community colleges’ workforce continuing education division.

“Thank you for everything you do to support our students and institution,” said R-CCC VP of Workforce & Institutional Advancement Steven Mathews. “To date, R-CCC has seven students signed up for the Bridge to Career Program. In talking with the students, I know it wouldn’t be possible for them to be here if it was not for this program. Anything that we can give a student, it means a lot to them.”

Pictured for the SECU Bridge to Career Scholarship presentation are from left SECU Ahoskie Advisory Board Chair Viola Vaughan-Holland, R-CCC President Dr. Murray J. Williams, SECU Senior Vice President James Eure, SECU Financial Services Manager Jeri Pierce, SECU Ahoskie Assistant Branch Manager Natalie Totten, SECU Ahoskie Vice President Linda Farmer, SECU Murfreesboro Branch Manager Misty Buren, SECU Murfreesboro Assistant Branch Manager Jessica Taylor, and Advisory Board Chair for SECU Murfreesboro Daryl Williams.

Roanoke-Chowan Community College’s Mission
Roanoke-Chowan Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System and located in Hertford County, is a public, two-year institution of higher education offering associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, college and career readiness, and customized business and industry training in a variety of delivery modes promoting public service, transfer, and workforce development for a diverse student body, leading them to contribute to the vitality of an increasingly global community. www.roanokechowan.edu #DiscoverRCCC “Where community and careers connect”

Media Contact: Melanie Temple, Director of Marketing & Recruitment/PIO, metemple7181@roanokechowan.edu, 252-862-1243