CVCC to provide scholarship opportunities through SECU Bridge to Career program
Catawba Valley Community College has been awarded a grant through the member-funded State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) Foundation to provide scholarships for up to 30 local students.
09/12/2022
SECU Foundation introduced the SECU Bridge to Career Program in 2018 to help students seeking to obtain careers with sustainable wages in their local communities. Administered by each college, the initiative focuses on assisting individuals with finding vocational and job placement opportunities through eligible training programs that lead to state-regulated or industry-recognized credentials.
“We’d like to thank the State Employees’ Credit Union for sponsoring scholarships for North Carolina’s community colleges, especially for CVCC, in helping to expand the workforce in North Carolina,” said Robin Cornett, CVCC’s Dean of Health Education. “These scholarship monies are very important to students who may be unemployed or underemployed to help them earn credentials in leading to good paying jobs.”
Scholarship funding will be applied to educational expenses and other expenditures associated with their program of study through CVCC’s workforce development program.
“This scholarship program is an essential piece of SECU Foundation’s scholarship offerings, filling the gap with support for individuals seeking a job in a high-demand trade industry or enhancing their education with new skills to advance their career,” said Jama Campbell, SECU Foundation Executive Director. “North Carolina has an excellent community college system, and we are proud to work together with state educators to help North Carolinians work toward a better future. On behalf of SECU Foundation, we offer our congratulations to these recipients.”
To be considered for this scholarship, an individual must meet the following qualifications: be a U.S. citizen and a North Carolina resident; be in one of the following target groups: unemployment insurance claimants, unemployed or underemployed adults, military veterans and spouses, or a member of the NC National Guard. (NOTE: Underemployed will be defined as individuals earning 200% below the federal poverty level at $25,520/year. Preference will be given to students with limited or no access to financial aid from other programs); be enrolled in a short-term training program 96-hours or more that leads to a state-regulated or industry-recognized credential that is offered through Continuing Education; and not be a Director, employee or family member of an employee.
With the combined commitments for the SECU Bridge to Career and “People Helping People” Community College Scholarship programs, SECU Foundation funding for the NC Community College System totals over $1.6 million annually.
For more information on the SECU Bridge to Careers Program, please contact Kristin Wright, CVCC’s Coordinator for Customized Training, via email at kswright@cvcc.edu or call 828-327-7000 ext. 4297.
About SECU and SECU Foundation
A not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members, SECU has been providing employees of the state of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for 85 years. SECU is the second largest credit union in the United States with $53 billion in assets and serves over 2.6 million members through 273 branch offices, over 1,100 ATMs and 24/7 Member Services via phone, www.ncsecu.org and a Mobile App. The SECU Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization funded by the contributions of SECU members, promotes local community development in North Carolina primarily through high impact projects in the areas of housing, education, healthcare, and human services. Since 2004, SECU Foundation has made a collective financial commitment of over $235 million for initiatives to benefit North Carolinians statewide.
About Catawba Valley Community College
Catawba Valley Community College provides a true collegiate atmosphere for its approximately 5,000 curriculum students and 9,000 workforce continued education students. Serving students from counties across the region, Catawba Valley Community College was ranked by SmartAsset as one of the top 10 Best Community Colleges, and was a finalist for the prestigious 2021 Bellwether and Aspen Prize awards. CVCC currently offers 51 associate degree programs of study in Arts, Business, Computer Information, Education, Engineering Technology, Health Services, Horticulture, Industrial Technology and Public Services as well as nine college transfer programs. You can learn more about the programs offered at Catawba Valley Community College on its website at cvcc.edu.
PHOTO: From left, Richie Patrick, Vice President of SECU Hickory (Fairgrove Church Rd. location); Stacey Brewer, Vice President of SECU (Hickory 16th St. location); Erryn deBlois, General Manager of CVCC’s Campus Bookstore; Jared Ramsey, Vice President of SECU (Mountain View location); Kristin Wright, CVCC Coordinator for Customized Training; Robin Ross, CVCC Vice President of K-64 and Talent Development; Robin Cornett, Dean of CVCC’s School of Health Education; Randy Burns, Senior Executive Director for CVCC Corporate & Economic Development; and Kimberly Prospt, CVCC Apprenticeship Coordinator.
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