Fourteen Students Receive Financial Support for Career Training and Degree Programs
GOLDSBORO, N.C. – Fourteen Wayne Community College students have been awarded scholarships through the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) Foundation, providing critical financial support for their educational pursuits.
Bridge to Career Program Supports Workforce Training
Twelve students enrolled in short-term training through WCC’s Workforce Continuing Education Services received $500 scholarships through the SECU “Bridge to Career” Program. The program is designed to help remove financial barriers for students seeking state-regulated or industry-recognized credentials and has supported community college workforce development students across North Carolina since 2018.
The scholarship recipients and their programs, organized by city of residence, include:
Dudley
- Jordan Dy’Mere Pompey, Pharmacy Technician
Goldsboro
- 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
- Karolina Renee Pittman, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Greenville
- Nywon Amir Bass, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Mount Olive
- Kimberly Janeen Lee, Real Estate Pre-Licensing
Pikeville
- Damien Raheem Foye, Truck Driver Training
Seven Springs
- Matthew Foley, Phlebotomy
People Helping People Scholarships Awarded
Two curriculum students received the prestigious “People Helping People” scholarships valued at $5,000 each, to be distributed across four consecutive semesters. Ana Eslyn, a Dental Assisting student from Mount Olive, and Raven Mesimer, an Associate Degree Nursing student from Goldsboro, were selected for this honor.
The SECU Foundation awards two “People Helping People” scholarships annually to each of North Carolina’s 58 community colleges. Recipients are chosen based on scholastic achievement, community involvement, and demonstrated leadership, pursuit of excellence, and integrity.
Long-Standing Partnership Benefits Students
WCC Director of Financial Aid and Veteran Services Katrina Lee emphasized the foundation’s lasting impact on the college and its students.
“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 said. “These scholarships not only recognize students’ potential but also create life-changing opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom.”
Lee noted that the SECU Foundation has been a steadfast supporter of WCC since 2005, generously investing in student success.
About SECU and the SECU Foundation
SECU is a not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members and federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). For 88 years, the organization has provided consumer financial services to employees of the state of North Carolina and their families.
As the second-largest credit union in the United States, SECU manages $56 billion in assets and serves more than 2.9 million members through 275 branch offices, over 1,100 ATMs, phone support, its website at www.ncsecu.org, and the SECU Mobile App.
The SECU Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization funded by contributions from SECU members, promotes local community development in North Carolina through high-impact projects in housing, education, healthcare, and human services. Since 2004, the foundation has committed over $328 million to initiatives benefiting North Carolinians statewide.
