Golden LEAF Scholar Alumni Spotlight: Bekah Mulligan
Golden LEAF Scholar alumna and Cherokee County native Bekah Mulligan knew she wanted to give back to her community and serve future generations through education. A member of the 2011 scholarship cohort, Mulligan graduated from Western Carolina University with a double major in history and secondary education.
Alumni Spotlight: Kara Pless
Growing up in Stanly County, Golden LEAF Scholar Alumna Kara Pless knew she wanted to return to the community she grew up in.
“This is home for me,” Pless said. “My husband and I built our house right beside my parents, and my sister lives on the other side. I am raising my family here.”
Golden LEAF Scholars Gain Real-World Experience Across Rural North Carolina
This summer, 75 Golden LEAF Scholars participated in the Golden LEAF Rural Internship Initiative. The initiative is designed to provide students with hands-on, relevant work experience in rural North Carolina communities.
The Golden LEAF Rural Internship gives eligible Golden LEAF Scholars the opportunity to gain meaningful experience in roles at internship sites aligned with their career goals. Interns work up to 400 hours over the course of 8 to 12 weeks between May and August, earning $16 per hour during their first year of participation, $17 during their second, and $18 during their third.
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.