ASHEBORO — Randolph Community College recognized 19 students as recipients of the State Employees’ Credit Union Foundation Bridge to Career Scholarships during a ceremony held Sept. 25 in the Martha Luck Comer Foundation Conference Center.
“Economic barriers should never be the reason a student stops short of reaching their full potential,” RCC President/CEO Shah Ardalan said. “Because of the SECU Foundation’s longstanding commitment to Randolph Community College, our students can move forward with confidence — focusing on building the real-world skills that lead to real careers. This partnership is removing financial obstacles and creating pathways to opportunity, growth and transformation for students, families and the entire community.”
Medical administrative assistant student and scholarship recipient Renee Harvey told the audience, “This moment means more to me than words can say.”
“Thank you to everyone at RCC for paving the way and laying the foundation to where I am now and where I’ll be headed as well as the SECU Foundation for giving me a chance to be something bigger than what my dreams could have ever painted. Your generosity doesn’t only support education, it also fuels dreams,” she said.
Funded by the SECU Foundation, Bridge to Career scholarships help remove financial barriers for adults pursuing short-term, state-regulated or industry-recognized credentials that lead to sustainable-wage jobs. The program is available across all 58 North Carolina community colleges and provides $500 scholarships for eligible students at each campus.
The scholarship recipients, with their area of study, are: Sonia Alverado, Medical Administrative Assistant; Lacey Bennett, Medical Administrative Assistant; Dalia Caceres, Phlebotomy; Jessica Campbell, Medical Administrative Assistant; Haydee Campuzano Martinez, Medical Administrative Assistant; Zachary Chriscoe, Small Engine Mechanics; Mandy Coppley, Medical Administrative Assistant; Taylor Gardner, Emergency Medical Technician; Brittany Harrison, Medical Administrative Assistant; Renee Harvey, Medical Administrative Assistant; Jenny Jensen, Pharmacy Tech; Krystal Latham, Phlebotomy; Stella Mercedes, Medical Coding; Lucia Morales Tapia, Medical Administrative Assistant; Kayce Olvey, Medical Coding; Jody Perez-Vazquez, Small Engine; Khristy Scales, Phlebotomy; Michelle Smith, Medical Administrative Assistant; and Jessica Vazquez, Medical Administrative Assistant.
