Golden LEAF Scholarship Alumni Spotlight: Erykah Cooke

Name: Erykah Cooke High School Attended: Kinston High School Home County: Lenoir College Attended: East Carolina University (2017-2021) Major: Family and Community Services County Now Living In: Lenoir Employer: Intuit TurboTax Live Title: Tax Prep Assistant Years Working for Current Employer: 4 months What does rural mean to you? Rural is real. My rural community […]

Golden LEAF Scholarship Alumni Spotlight: Serenity Baxter

Name: Serenity Baxter Home County: Randolph High School Attended: Uwharrie Charter Academy College Attended: UNC-Greensboro (2017-2021) Major: Community Therapeutic Recreation Current County: Davie Employer: Salemtowne Retirement Community Title: Activity Assistant Years Working for Current Employer: 2 months Follow on LinkedIn: Click here What were some of your major accomplishments during college? I was on the […]

Golden LEAF Scholarship Alumni Spotlight: Tristan Hunter

Name: Tristan Hunter High School Attended: Nash Rocky Mount Early College High School Home County: Nash College(s) Attended/ Years Attended: East Carolina University (2015-2018); University of Kansas (2018-2020); and University of Phoenix (2020-2023) Degrees: B.S in Middle Grades Education; Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction; and Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership County Now […]

Golden LEAF Scholarship Alumni Spotlight: Ryquaisa Humphrey

Name: Ryquaisa Humphrey High School Attended: Western Harnett High School Home County: Harnett College(s) Attended/ Years Attended: UNC Greensboro (2015-2019); (Master’s) N.C. State (2019-2021) Major(s): Human Development and Family Studies; Master of Social Work Minor: African American Studies County Now Living In: Harnett County Employer: Morse Clinic of Dunn Title: Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist Years […]

Golden LEAF Scholarship Alumni Profile: Tate Thomason

Name: Tate Thomason High School Attended: Robbinsville High School Home County: Graham College Attended/ Years Attended: Western Carolina University (Graduated December 2015) Major: Hospitality & Tourism Management County Now Living In: Graham Employer: State Employees’ Credit Union Title: Financial Services Officer Years Working for Current Employer: 3 years What were some of your major accomplishments […]

Golden LEAF Scholarship Alumni Spotlight: Chelsea Thompson

Name: Chelsea Thompson High School Attended: KIPP Pride High School Home County: Northampton College(s) Attended/ Years Attended: UNC-Greensboro (2014-2016) transferred to ECU (2016-2019) Major(s): Nutrition Science County Now Living In: Halifax Employer: KIPP Halifax Primary School Title: Kindergarten Teacher Years Working for Current Employer: 3 years What does it mean to live and work in […]

Golden LEAF Scholarship Alumni Spotlight: Samantha Lilley Hoggard

Name: Samantha Lilley Hoggard High School Attended: Riverside High School Home County: Martin College(s) Attended/ Years Attended: North Carolina State University (2013-2017) / University of Mount Olive (May 2021 – Present) Major(s): Plant and Soil Sciences /Agricultural Business Management (MBA) County Now Living In: Bertie Employer: USDA – Farm Service Agency (Martin County Office) Title: […]

Golden LEAF Scholarship Alumni Spotlight: Ashlin Elliott

Name: Ashlin Elliott High School Attended: Columbia High School Home County: Tyrrell County College(s) Attended/ Years Attended: UNC Chapel Hill School (2016-2020) Major(s): Media and Journalism with a concentration in Public Relations Minor(s): Environmental Studies County Now Living In: Pitt County Employer: Vidant Health Title: Communications Coordinator Years Working for Current Employer: 5 months What […]

Golden LEAF Scholarship Alumni Spotlight: Chentell Parker

Name: Chentell Parker High School Attended: Hoke County High School Home County: Hoke College(s) Attended/ Years Attended: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2012-2016)/ Howard University (2017-2019) Major(s): African American Studies/Sociology (UNC-CH) / Social Work (Howard) Minor(s): Women and Gender Studies County Now Living In: Cumberland Employer: Greater Vision Counseling and Consulting in Hoke […]

Golden LEAF Scholarship Alumni Spotlight: Taylor Lynn Moore Cutler

Name: Taylor Lynn Moore Cutler High School Attended: South Creek High School Home County: Martin County College(s) Attended/ Years Attended: Meredith College (2013-2017) / East Carolina University (2017-2018) Major(s): English and Psychology / Masters in Teaching – English Minor(s): Professional Writing County Now Living In: Martin Employer: Martin County Schools Title: Teacher Years Working for […]