RCC Honors 19 with Scholarships at SECU Ceremony

ASHEBORO, N.C. — Randolph Community College (RCC) awarded 19 students with the State Employees’ Credit Union Foundation Bridge to Career Scholarships on Sept. 25, during a ceremony held in the Martha Luck Comer Foundation Conference Center.

RCC President/CEO Shah Ardalan emphasized the importance of the scholarship, stating, “Economic barriers should never be the reason a student stops short of reaching their full potential. Because of the SECU Foundation’s longstanding commitment to Randolph Community College, our students can move forward with confidence.”

Scholarship recipient Renee Harvey, a student in the Medical Administrative Assistant program, expressed gratitude during her speech. “This moment means more to me than words can say,” she said. “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.”

The Bridge to Career scholarships, funded by the SECU Foundation, aim to alleviate financial obstacles for adults seeking short-term, state-regulated, or industry-recognized credentials leading to sustainable-wage jobs. This initiative is available across all 58 community colleges in North Carolina, providing $500 scholarships to eligible students.

The scholarship recipients include: Sonia Alverado, Lacey Bennett, Dalia Caceres, Jessica Campbell, Haydee Campuzano Martinez, Zachary Chriscoe, Mandy Coppley, Taylor Gardner, Brittany Harrison, Renee Harvey, Jenny Jensen, Krystal Latham, Stella Mercedes, Lucia Morales Tapia, Kayce Olvey, Jody Perez-Vazquez, Khristy Scales, Michelle Smith, and Jessica Vazquez, who are all pursuing various fields in medical assistance, phlebotomy, and small engine mechanics.