Twenty students from across Eastern North Carolina have been selected to join the second cohort of the Transformational Scholarships Program, the NC State College of Education’s premier scholarship program.
The Transformational Scholarships Program provides scholarships totaling $40,000 over four years to promising high school students from Eastern North Carolina who will return to the region to teach after graduating from NC State’s College of Education. The program was made possible due to a generous charitable grant from the Anonymous Trust.
“I love how the whole idea of being a Transformational Scholar involves giving back to the community,” said Dariana De Leon, an incoming Transformational Scholar from Edgecombe County. “I will be a part of innovation and change. I can’t wait to start on my education journey as a future educator.”
The second cohort of Transformational Scholars represent 10 different eastern North Carolina counties and comprise 13 elementary education majors, two mathematics education majors, two science education majors, two middle grades language arts and social studies education majors and one technology, engineering, and design education major.
The incoming undergraduate students all demonstrated excellence during their high school careers. The cohort is made up of class presidents, hall of fame athletes, Leadership Institute for Future Teachers (LIFT) participants and volunteers dedicated to making their communities a better place.
“The second cohort of Transformational Scholars is an impressive group passionate about sparking change and innovation in eastern North Carolina, making a significant and constructive contribution to their community and giving back to a region that has given them so much,” said Trisha Mackey, the director of the Transformational Scholarships Program. “They each bring a unique perspective on what it means to be a transformational educator. I believe that they will add to the energy and synergy of the program and will make a difference in the lives of their future students by being authentic and empathetic educators.”
Scholars receive $10,000 per year in scholarship support for up to four years, in addition to funds that support professional development such as study abroad and conference participation. They will engage in field experiences, summer work, student teaching and other activities that equip them to return to Eastern North Carolina to work as teachers after completing their undergraduate degree.
They will also receive direct mentoring from College of Education faculty and education leaders living and working in eastern North Carolina, including graduates of NC State’s Educational Leadership Academy (NELA) and develop lifelong relationships within the other members in their cohort.
Transformational Scholars Cohort 2
- Emily Biggs, Johnston County
- Carter Clever, Johnston County
- Alyssa Darden, Johnston County
- Dariana De Leon, Edgecombe County
- Emerson Fipps, Pitt County
- Bella Gonzales, Brunswick County
- Gillian Grimmick, Johnston County
- Skylar Harrison, Lenoir County
- Taylor Herring, Duplin County
- Elise Hines, Edgecombe County
- Kate Hudgins, Nash County
- Mary Ledford, Cumberland County
- Laci Lucas, Sampson County
- Kayleigh Stewart, Harnett County
- Matt Tarpey, Harnett County
- Camilla Torres, Duplin County
- Brooke Vuncannon, Harnett County
- Lacey Warren, Sampson County
- Joshua Webb, Nash County
- Lily Williams, Sampson County
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