Golden LEAF announces 215 students from 59 rural North Carolina counties were selected to receive up to a $14,000 Golden LEAF Scholarship

Recently, the Golden LEAF Foundation announced that 215 students from 56 rural North Carolina counties were selected to receive up to $14,000 from the Golden LEAF Scholarship Program.

The scholarship provides high school seniors entering a four-year North Carolina college or university with $3,500 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study. Community college transfer students are eligible for $3,500 a year for three years of undergraduate study.

Golden LEAF Scholars plan to have impact in their rural communities

By Kaitlyn Parker, External Affairs Intern As North Carolina students turn their tassels and look towards the future, a group of graduates have plans to return to revitalize their rural communities. “I am proud to celebrate our Golden LEAF Scholar graduates,” said Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton. “These students have gained […]

Golden LEAF Scholar Alumni Spotlight: Naziera Staton

Golden LEAF Scholar Alumna Naziera Staton grew up in New Bern in Craven County. As a self-motivated individual, she always knew that she wanted to go to college.

“Growing up, for me, was very rural, very low income,” said Staton. “The trajectory was usually high school to workforce or trades. You could only go to college if you had enough financial assistance and push to do it. I was very self-motivated to do something different.”

Scholar Alumni Spotlight: Evelyn Trejo

Growing up in a small rural community in Wayne County shaped Evelyn Trejo’s values and sense of connection early on. “Everybody knew each other,” she said. “I loved that about where I grew up. I definitely prefer the smaller town.” That appreciation for close-knit communities has guided Trejo through her education and into her career. […]

Golden LEAF Scholar Alumna Spotlight: Sydney Coe

Golden LEAF Scholar Alumna Sydney Coe grew up in Siloam, North Carolina, a small community in Surry County where she now teaches third grade at Dobson Elementary School. A proud product of rural North Carolina, Coe says coming back home after college was always part of her plan.

“I grew up in Siloam,” said Coe. “I have a lot of roots there and I wanted to give back to the community that gave so much to me and made me who I am today.”

Golden LEAF Scholar Alumni Spotlight: Jeffrey Wilkins

Golden LEAF Scholar Alumnus Jeffrey Wilkins grew up in the small town of Micro located in Johnston County, where no one was a stranger.

Golden LEAF Rural Internship Initiative participants share rural work experiences

This summer, 71 Golden LEAF Scholars are participating in the Golden LEAF Rural Internship Initiative (RII), an opportunity designed to provide hands-on, career-relevant work experience in rural North Carolina communities. Three senior scholars, Joe Bolick, Caitlyn Rogers, and Nyanna Sherrod, who have participated in several summers of RII share how their internships are shaping their professional paths and deepening their connections to their home regions.

Golden LEAF Scholar 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 […]

Universities hold events to honor Golden LEAF Scholars, ECU celebrates 10 years of scholar receptions

Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton has made it a priority to meet with Golden LEAF Scholars at their college or university to help connect them with the mission of and opportunities provided by Golden LEAF, the leadership of the institution they are attending, alumni, and their fellow scholars. This spring, the […]

Golden LEAF Alumni Spotlight: Brooklyn Brown

By Golden LEAF External Affairs Interns Brittney Collins and Markell Gibbs Golden LEAF Scholarship alumnae Brooklyn Brown was born and raised in rural Swain County, on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. She currently lives in Swain County and works at the Cherokee One Feather as a reporter. Brown graduated from Swain County High School as valedictorian, […]