SECU Foundation Awards $18,000 Bridge to Career Scholarship Funding to Lenoir Community College

Employees of the Kinston branch of SECU recently presented a check for $18,000 to Lenoir Community College in support of the SECU Foundation Bridge to Career Scholarship Program for the 2025–2026 academic year.

The funding will provide $500 scholarships to North Carolina residents enrolled in courses leading to a North Carolina Workforce Credential. Scholarship funds may be used to cover registration fees, course fees, books, course supplies, credentialing tests, transportation, childcare, and other components of the total cost of attendance.

Pictured during the presentation were Marla Gordon and Lara Lang-Tribula of SECU; Patricia Kimanzi, LCC Sterile Processing program graduate and SECU Bridge to Career recipient; Dawn Kantz, LCC Dean of Workforce Development; and Lisa Wooten-Hightower, LCC Workforce Development Specialist.

The SECU Foundation established the Bridge to Career Program in 2018 to help remove financial barriers for students seeking state-regulated or industry-recognized credentials through the Workforce Continuing Education division of local community colleges. The program supports students pursuing sustainable wage careers within their local communities and aligns with the statewide goal of increasing postsecondary credential attainment among North Carolinians by 2030.

Lenoir Community College congratulates Patricia Kimanzi and all 2025–2026 SECU Foundation Bridge to Career Scholarship recipients.