Alumni
Twenty-five years after the first cohort of Golden LEAF Scholars received their awards, our community now includes several thousand alumni. These individuals are leaders all over the state of North Carolina, living out the values of the Golden LEAF Scholarship as teachers, bankers, doctors, lawyers, consultants, scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs, and more. They remain a vibrant and committed group of individuals who significantly contribute to North Carolina’s rural communities.
Alumni Spotlight: Jeffrey Wilkins
By Emma Godwin, Golden LEAF External Affairs Intern
Golden LEAF Scholar alumnus Jeffrey Wilkins grew up in the small town of Micro located in Johnston County, where no one was a stranger.
“Growing up in Micro was very rural and quiet,” said Wilkins. “We lived next to a farm. It was the kind of place you rode bikes and played outside. I was a bike ride away from downtown Micro, in a town where you know everybody.”
His roots in a rural area and his respect for his hard-working family helped him choose his career path and major for college.
“I chose the path I am currently on because my dad worked on construction his whole life,” said Wilkins. “He was a foreman/superintendent, and he told me to be ‘smarter than he was and stay out of the physical aspect of construction’. He was the one who guided me to Civil Engineering.”
Wilkins researched colleges to see which ones were the best for Engineering majors and found that NC State was one of the top engineering colleges in the country.
Read more about Wilkins here.
Alumni Spotlight: Chandler Bumgarner
By Emma Godwin, Golden LEAF External Affairs Intern
Golden LEAF Scholar alumnus Chandler Bumgarner grew up in Taylorsville, N.C., in rural Alexander County, holding a sense of community close to his heart.
This sense of community was significant as he began his college career at Western Carolina University. Chandler Bumgarner’s closest friends from back home attended his college with him, signifying what it meant to him to have a community and family of friends to lean on.
“In a very small town, everyone knows each other and grows up with the same people,” said Bumgarner. “I’m still friends with a lot of the same people I went to high school with. Many of us went to college together as well. My friends are truly my family. I really enjoyed growing up in a rural area with close relationships like that.”
Bumgarner learned about the Golden LEAF Scholarship from his high school counselor, who informed him of the opportunity.
Read more about Bumgarner here.
Alumni Spotlight: Leleah Maher
By Emma Godwin, Golden LEAF External Affairs Intern
Golden LEAF Scholarship alumna Leleah Maher grew up in Rocky Mount with a passion for making an impact. She attended Nash Early College High School, where she finished high school and earned an associate degree in May 2022. She then attended North Carolina State University as a Social Work major.
The Golden LEAF Foundation means a lot to Maher. Not only did she receive a scholarship, but she was also invited to be the Golden LEAF Scholar Alumni speaker at Golden LEAF’s 25th Anniversary celebration in December.
“I spoke on a stage with some of the state leadership of North Carolina,” said Maher. “Strangers who I did not know from all across the state heard me tell my story, which was so humbling. I was so grateful to have the courage and strength to be the alumni speaker that night. It was a moment I’ll never forget. When I walked off the stage, I realized that this was a once in a lifetime experience.”
Maher’s story is truly inspiring.
After turning 18, Maher found herself homeless. She left her home with a suitcase filled with a few of her belongings as she was heading to Africa for a mission trip with an organization called Ripple Effects. Ripple Effects is a community collaboration hub located in Rocky Mount that offers resource counseling, life skills workshops, case management, and other services designed to address holistic wellness. Upon her return, Ripple Effects, alongside supportive family members, provided housing and other resources to get her back on her feet.
Read more about Maher here.
ScholarsConnect
ScholarsConnect is our exclusive Golden LEAF Scholarship Portal. This platform is a space to:
- Connect current and alumni Golden LEAF Scholars through networking and mentorship,
- Share events of interests, jobs, opportunities, and resources, and
- Drive engagement, participation, and idea sharing to advance our mission of increasing opportunities in rural North Carolina.