Shown from left are RM Rotary and Ģ������Ƶ representatives Jet Hatu, Tameka Kenan-Norman, Samanthia Phillips, Lyn Brown, Chayce Bryant, Dr. Greg McLeod, Anna Kate White, Sherlock McDougald and Kristen Brabble

Ģ������Ƶ was presented with a $35,000 check from the Rocky Mount Rotary Club during the recent Tackle the Tar Celebration. Ģ������Ƶ joined North Carolina Wesleyan University and Nash Community College for the annual celebration, where the Rocky Mount Rotary Club distributed a total of $105,000 evenly among the three local higher-education institutions.

“We are so honored to partner with the Rocky Mount Rotary Club and their members in support of our local students and are thankful to all of the sponsors, donors and runners who help make the Tackle the Tar 5K mud run a wonderful success,” said Ģ������Ƶ President Dr. Greg McLeod. “This gift represents more than financial support. It represents opportunity, encouragement and hope for students pursuing their educational and career goals.”

Since its inception in 2016, Tackle the Tar has awarded $825,000 in scholarships to local students. Encouraging recipients to pursue their higher education within the Twin Counties and remain in the region to build their careers remains a core mission for event chair Kristen Brabble and Rocky Mount Rotary Club members.

For students like Chayce Bryant, a 19-year-old freshman at Ģ������Ƶ, the scholarship provides a life-changing opportunity. Bryant, a Rocky Mount native pursuing a degree in business administration, aspires to enter the gaming industry or start his own business.

“Growing up, going to college was always a goal that my family and I talked about,” said Bryant. “Even as a child, I knew that getting a college education was important, but one of the biggest questions was how we were going to pay for it. Coming from a single-parent household, my mom and I knew that pursuing higher education would be a challenge financially.”

Bryant noted that the support from Tackle the Tar has allowed him to focus fully on his academic and professional goals without the overwhelming weight of tuition costs.

“Receiving the Tackle the Tar scholarship has made a tremendous difference in my life,” Bryant added. “It has helped relieve some of the financial burden and has allowed me to continue my education after high school and focus more on achieving my educational goals.”

The Rocky Mount Rotary Club will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Tackle the Tar event on May 15, 2027, at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex. To learn more or to get involved, visit .

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Warren Accounting Group team placed first in the first flight (l-r): Rob Warren, Carl Warren, Raymond Cobb, Sylvia Cobb

The Ģ������Ƶ Foundation raised $42,109 during its 40th Annual Golf Tournament held Sept. 24 at Maccripine Country Club in Pinetops, providing critical support for scholarships, student assistance programs and Foundation initiatives.

The tournament drew 34 teams and 136 players, continuing a four-decade tradition of community support for Ģ������Ƶ students. Participants competed in a four-person scramble while enjoying a day of fellowship and friendly competition.

“This was an outstanding year thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, donors, players and volunteers,” said Tameka Kenan-Norman, executive director of public information and institutional advancement. “The funds raised through this tournament help remove financial barriers for students and support programs that contribute to their success. From scholarships and emergency assistance to educational opportunities and student leadership programs, these dollars make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students.”

BXT Capital Trading team placed first in the second flight (l-r): Josh Doughtary, Nichole Barker, Joe Butler, George Bell.

In tournament competition, Warren Accounting Group captured first place in the first flight, followed by Edmondson Insurance Agency and GH3. In the second flight, BXK Capital Trading earned first place, followed by Infinity Link and UNC Health Nash.

The Foundation also recognized the many businesses, organizations and individuals whose sponsorships and donations contributed to the tournament’s success. Corporate sponsors included Astemo and LS Cable & System USA. Top-level sponsors also included Brightspeed, Cummins Rocky Mount Engine Plant, Bojangles/Tands Inc., and numerous other community partners committed to supporting student success.

In addition to tournament play, participants had opportunities to win donated prizes through on-course contests and a raffle made possible by local businesses and supporters.

Photos from the tournament are available at edgecombe.edu/golf.

The 41st Annual Ģ������Ƶ Foundation Golf Tournament is scheduled for Oct. 14, 2027, at Maccripine Country Club, with a rain date of Oct. 21, 2027.

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“You are economic development!”

That was the resounding message delivered by Tracey Crenshaw to 130 scholarship recipients during the Ģ������Ƶ Foundation’s annual Scholarship Convocation on Sept. 17.

Crenshaw, director of existing industries and workforce development for the Carolinas Gateway Partnership, served as the keynote speaker for the event, which drew a crowd of more than 200 students, donors and community leaders.

In her address, Crenshaw highlighted how often prospective businesses ask her where regional employers will find skilled workers.

“I can look at a room like this today and say, they’re right here,” Crenshaw told the audience. “What happens at Ģ������Ƶ reaches far beyond this campus. The student studying here today may help a local company expand tomorrow. The person learning a technical skill may fill a critical position, and the person preparing for a new career may change the earning potential of their whole household.”

At the start of the fall semester, the Ģ������Ƶ Foundation awarded more than $170,000 in scholarship funds. According to Ģ������Ƶ Foundation Board President Jean Bailey, the college distributed 76 endowed scholarships and nine annual scholarships to support student success.

“To our donors, thank you for driving this momentum and investing in the future of our students,” Bailey said. “And to our scholarship recipients, congratulations! You have worked incredibly hard to reach this moment, and we are all in your corner as you take the next steps.”

Ģ������Ƶ President Dr. Greg McLeod noted that while tuition assistance is a primary goal, Foundation support reaches even further.

“Your contributions do far more than help pay for tuition,” McLeod said. “They also provide funding to purchase equipment and uniforms, pay for testing fees, and support educational field trips, internships and other hands-on experiences that prepare students to excel long after they leave.”

Recipients represent a wide array of fields, including nursing, applied engineering technology, welding, collision repair, business and more.

To learn about available opportunities or to apply, visit edgecombe.edu/scholarships and complete an Ģ������Ƶ Foundation Scholarship Application.

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Pictured from left, front-Dr. Greg McLeod of Ģ������Ƶ and Robert Bass of Astemo. Pictured from left, back- Neill Nelson of Davenport Autopark of Rocky Mount, Tameka Kenan-Norman of Ģ������Ƶ and John Batts III of Astemo

The Ģ������Ƶ Foundation will host its 40th annual golf tournament on Thursday, Sept. 24, at the Maccripine Country Club in Pinetops. Teams of four will compete for prizes, including a car.

Players will have a chance to win a 2026 Prelude Sport Coupe from Davenport Autopark of Rocky Mount and donated by Astemo. Valued at $42,000, the car will be awarded to one lucky player who makes a hole-in-one at a designated hole. Additional prizes will be awarded for closet to the pin on all par-three holes and more.

Raffle tickets may be purchased in advance or at the tournament. Prizes include a Turtlebox speaker, a gift basket from Stallings Drug, as well as gift certificates from Ribeyes, Flowers by Roberts, Piggly Wiggly of Pinetops, Western Sizzlin Steakhouse and Golden Corral. Prizes continue to be added.

The Ģ������Ƶ Foundation Golf Tournament supports student scholarships and the operations of the Ģ������Ƶ Foundation, which ultimately assist Ģ������Ƶ students.

“Approximately 90 percent of our students require financial aid,” said Tameka Kenan-Norman, executive director of Public Information and Institutional Advancement. “Support from events like the Ģ������Ƶ Foundation Golf Tournament is vital in closing the gap for students who receive no financial aid or only partial assistance. With donations from Ģ������Ƶ alumni, local companies and the community, together we can ensure that students get the resources they need to receive their degree and a seamless educational experience.”

Morning play begins at 8:30 a.m., and the afternoon start time is at 1:30 p.m. Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided. Professional Long Driver Laura Wern will be featured in this year’s tournament. The cost for a team entry is $500, and sponsorships range from $150 to $15,000.

To become a sponsor, register a team, or to purchase a raffle ticket, visit edgecombe.edu/golf.

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The Ģ������Ƶ Foundation will recognize more than 130 scholarship recipients during its Scholarship Convocation, presented by Astemo, on Thursday, Sept. 17, in the Thomas S. Fleming Building on the Tarboro campus.

Tracy Crenshaw, an Ģ������Ƶ alumna and the director of existing industries and workforce development for the Carolinas Gateway Partnership, will serve as the keynote speaker. Crenshaw graduated from Ģ������Ƶ with an Associate in Applied Science in Office Management and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from NC Wesleyan University. In her current role, she serves as a liaison between industry, education, workforce partners and the community, helping employers address challenges, pursue growth opportunities and develop essential talent.

Tracey Crenshaw, 2013 graduate of Ģ������Ƶ

Crenshaw joined the Carolinas Gateway Partnership in 2013 and advanced from program coordinator to office manager and director of operations before being promoted to her current position in 2024. She is also the founder and executive director of Begin Again Literacy Ministry (BALM), a nonprofit dedicated to empowering adults through literacy, education, digital skills and personal development.

“A keynote speaker is featured at every Scholarship Convocation, and we strive to select an alumnus who has advanced in our local area,” said Tameka Kenan-Norman, executive director of Public Information and Institutional Advancement at Ģ������Ƶ. “Tracy Crenshaw was the perfect choice. Her story is inspiring, and her work aligns with the mission of Ģ������Ƶ—enriching the educational, training and lifelong learning opportunities for our community.”

More than $170,000 in scholarship funds have been awarded to students at the start of the fall semester. During the Scholarship Convocation, each student will receive a certificate and have the opportunity to meet the donors who help make their educational goals possible.

Table sponsorships are being accepted. For more information, visit edgecombe.edu/convocation.

In Memory of C Rudolph Knight

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Ģ������Ƶ directors Laura Brown Evans and Tameka Kenan-Norman have completed the 2025-26 Leadership Edgecombe Academy, a professional development program presented by the Tarboro Edgecombe Chamber of Commerce.

Evans, director of the Small Business Center, and Kenan-Norman, executive director of public information and institutional advancement, were among the inaugural class of local professionals who studied the business and industrial landscape of Edgecombe County. Participants also examined core principles of effective leadership.

The academy met monthly from September 2025 through June 2026 and was led by Teresa Barnhill, CEO and principal consultant of ATB Consulting, LLC. Class members read The Waymakers: Clearing the Path to Workplace Equity with Competence and Confidence and toured industries across manufacturing, government, education and healthcare. Insights from those visits informed a community-focused project the cohort will continue beyond the program.

The 2026-27 Leadership Edgecombe Academy begins Sept. 10 with a new class. For details, contact the Tarboro Edgecombe Chamber of Commerce at 252-823-7241.

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Pictured from left are Ģ������Ƶ President Dr. Greg McLeod, Vichi Jagannathan and Jordan Blake during a recent cohort meeting in Georgia

Ģ������Ƶ is partnering with the Rural Opportunity Institute, Area L AHEC, Strategic Twin-Counties Education Partnership and other regional organizations to develop clearer and more supportive healthcare workforce pathways for local residents. The work is funded by a $50,000 grant from the Education Design Lab’s Strengthening the Rural Workforce through Collaborative Design initiative, which aims to improve career routes in rural communities across the Southeast.

Vichi Jagannathan, co-founder and co-CEO of the Rural Opportunity Institute, said students often express interest in healthcare careers but struggle to understand how to enter the field.

“We’ve been hearing from students about what healthcare jobs are available locally and what they can do,” Jagannathan said. “But there seemed to be a gap.”

That gap includes limited guidance on structured employment pathways that provide on-the-job learning opportunities.

Jordan Blake, regional coordinator for Area L AHEC, said employers across the region report ongoing challenges in attracting and retaining healthcare talent.

“Rural areas aren’t necessarily as attractive as urban areas might be to younger students,” Blake said, citing results from a survey conducted as part of the Health Talent Alliance statewide initiative through the NC Center on the Workforce for Health. “A lot of the talent trained here ends up in Raleigh and larger areas. This has been a significant issue.”

The Education Design Lab grant seeks to address persistent challenges in the region’s healthcare pipeline, including high attrition in training programs and confusion among students navigating complex credential sequences, or the order they must follow for training, degrees and licensures.

“Healthcare is one of the most critical workforce needs in our region, and too many individuals who want to pursue these careers struggle to understand the training routes or feel underprepared for the rigor of health-related programs,” said Ģ������Ƶ President Dr. Greg McLeod. “By strengthening these pathways and embedding learner voice more intentionally in program design, we can help students build confidence, complete credentials and transition into meaningful careers that support the well-being of eastern North Carolina.”
ROI, a trauma-informed nonprofit that has worked in Edgecombe County since 2017, serves as the coordinating organization for the collaborative. Its role includes convening partners, aligning employer demand with community college preparation, and coordinating shared measurement across the initiative.

“This work is incredibly timely,” Jagannathan said. She noted that while students frequently report confusion about accessing work-based learning, employers face shortages and high turnover in essential roles.

“This collaborative allows ROI and Area L AHEC to bring students, educators and employers together to design pathways that work for rural learners,” she said.

Area L AHEC convenes regional healthcare employers monthly to review workforce data, identify shortages and barriers to recruitment and retention through the Health Talent Alliance Collaborative that launched in December of 2025. It is aimed at addressing healthcare workforce shortages in North Carolina by understanding regional workforce needs and developing targeted programs to fill identified gaps.

STEP and Edgecombe County Public Schools support career exploration for high school students through job shadowing, career fairs and readiness programming, complementing Ģ������Ƶ’s health sciences programs and strengthening the incoming pipeline.

Students participate in STEP’s Healthcare Connections where they explore various medical professions.

“STEP is proud to serve as a connector—bringing together healthcare providers, educators and community partners to expand work-based learning opportunities and expose students to the wide range of careers in healthcare,” said Pamela Gould, executive director of STEP. “By strengthening these partnerships and supporting the reestablishment of Health Science programs in our high schools, we are creating earlier pathways for students to explore these careers and become stronger candidates for postsecondary credentials. Ultimately, our goal is to retain our own talent and build a healthcare workforce that serves our community.”

The partners are participating in an 18-month cohort led by the Education Design Lab. The cohort will guide the collaborative through student interviews, student journey mapping, employer-validated pathway design, and the launch of pilot work-based learning or apprenticeship models.

“By the end of the initiative, we expect to move from fragmented but promising efforts to a structured, learner-informed, employer-backed pilot pathway with students at the decision-making table,” Jagannathan said.

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Ricky Smith

Two Edgecombe County high school graduates will attend Ģ������Ƶ tuition-free after being selected as recipients of the Dr. Hartwell H. Fuller Jr. Endowed Merit Scholarship, provided by Roger and Gaile Taylor.

Gabrielle Allen of Edgecombe Early College High School and Ricky Smith of SouthWest Edgecombe High School received the scholarship, which covers the full in-state cost of an associate degree, including tuition, books and a laptop computer.

Named for former Ģ������Ƶ President Dr. Hartwell Fuller, who led the college from 1994 to 2004, Roger and Gaile Taylor endowed the merit scholarship in 2011 to honor Fuller. It is awarded annually to two graduating seniors from Edgecombe County public high schools who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership and community involvement.

“I feel amazing,” Smith said after learning he had been selected. “This scholarship lifts a burden financially, and it truly blesses me.”

At SouthWest Edgecombe High School, Smith was active in academics, athletics, leadership and community service. He was a member of the National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society, served as a group leader with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and volunteered as a youth leader and social media coordinator at his church.

Smith also earned certifications in CPR, automated external defibrillator (AED), first aid and first aid for opioid overdose response.

His honors include the Animal Science Award, Public Safety Achievement Trophy, Edgecombe County Schools Golden Key Award, Rocky Mount Optimist Youth Appreciation Award, Mitch Mason Influence Award in football, Honor the Game Award in basketball, Sportsmanship Award in football and the 360ENC Internship and Volunteer Award for completing more than 115 hours of service.

“I can see myself working in a hospital or radiography facility,” Smith said.

The scholarship will help him pursue that goal as he begins his studies at Ģ������Ƶ.

Gabrielle Allen

For Allen, the scholarship removes financial concern as she works toward a career in nursing.

Allen, a Pinetops resident, said her desire to work in healthcare grew through both personal experience and hands-on training.

“My grandma’s cancer had progressed and she was put in hospice care,” Allen said. “In her final days, I became her primary caregiver. The night she passed, I thought about how fortunate I was to take care of my grandmother when she needed it most.”

Allen has already earned certification as a nursing assistant. She said caring for her grandmother reinforced her commitment to a career dedicated to helping others.

“Helping people is a passion of mine,” Allen said. “I knew that I wanted to go into nursing, and I didn’t want to stress about getting through nursing school and how I was going to pay for it.”

After Ģ������Ƶ, Allen plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing and hopes to work as a pediatric nurse.

Her record of service and achievement includes induction into the National Honor Society during her junior year and participation in the Scholar Teacher Program. Through the program, she assisted a first-grade teacher at Martin Millennium Academy each week.

She also volunteered through ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital’s VolunTEEN Program, completed an internship at ECU Health Maynard Children’s Hospital and currently works as a certified nursing assistant at The Barclay House of Tarboro.

Applicants for the Dr. Hartwell H. Fuller Jr. Endowed Merit Scholarship must maintain a weighted grade-point average of at least 3.5 throughout high school, demonstrate active involvement in extracurricular activities and maintain at least a B average while enrolled at Ģ������Ƶ.

Students interested in applying for the scholarship should contact their high school guidance counselor. Applications are reviewed by the Ģ������Ƶ Scholarship Committee, and finalists participate in an on-campus interview.

Additional scholarship opportunities are available through Ģ������Ƶ. Information and applications can be found at edgecombe.edu/scholarships.

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Craig Woodall

Craig Woodall gets emotional when he thinks about how far he’s come. The Air Force veteran and former call center director has decided to branch out and pursue entrepreneurship. His work with the Small Business Center at Ģ������Ƶ, along with developing and repeatedly testing a new device, has led to his selection as one of 18 entrepreneurs statewide chosen for the first Small Business Center Network Startup Showdown, powered by the Wells Fargo Foundation.

“I was elated. I got emotional,” Woodall said of learning he had been selected for the inaugural statewide initiative launched through North Carolina’s 58 community college Small Business Centers. “I’ve been doing this, it seems like forever. Everything came full circle to, this is what you have been diligent about.”

The SBCN Startup Showdown was created to strengthen entrepreneurship pathways by combining direct coaching, structured pitch preparation and statewide visibility for aspiring business owners preparing to launch new ventures.

Led by the North Carolina Small Business Center Network, the program identifies, supports and elevates emerging business talent through a structured process of local engagement, regional review and statewide selection. The inaugural competition drew 316 applicants from across North Carolina and generated more than 1,050 hours of pre-application business counseling and technical support through local Small Business Centers. Entrepreneurs worked with counselors and directors to refine concepts, prepare submissions and advance through multiple stages of review.

Cohort participants will now begin an eight-week Pitch It! training experience designed to guide them through the steps of starting a successful business. The program includes hands-on activities that build practical knowledge, strengthen presentation skills, sharpen business messaging and prepare participants for their final pitch to Business Trailblazer program judges in August.

“Win or lose, we are all going to benefit from the process,” Woodall said of the 18 finalists. “Our pitches are going to be better, more defined or refined.”

Woodall has been working closely with Laura Brown Evans, director of Ģ������Ƶ’s Small Business Center, to prepare for the competition.

“We have focused on refining Craig’s business plan and presentation skills,” Evans said. “Our preparation centered on building a compelling business case around his innovation, perfecting his Pitch Day delivery and helping him clearly communicate his market value.”

Woodall, whose mother served in the Navy, said his motivation for entrepreneurship was inspired by her.

“She was always pushing to do something other than what she had to do,” said Woodall, an Anderson, Ind., native. “That kind of planted the seed, but I have always kind of felt like I wanted to do something on my own.”

That drive reflects one of the core goals of the SBCN Startup Showdown — increasing the likelihood that aspiring entrepreneurs can bring their ideas to fruition.

“This program demonstrates what is possible when North Carolina’s community colleges work together statewide to create opportunity for entrepreneurs,” said Dr. Jeff Cox, former president of the North Carolina Community College System. “The SBCN Startup Showdown is creating a new platform for identifying talent, supporting innovation and helping early-stage businesses build momentum in every region of our state.”

While it may be premature to share Woodall’s idea before the pitch, the 55-year-old said preparation and practice matter as much as the concept itself.

“If you’re worried about how you look and what the setup is going to be but then you deliver a terrible pitch, it will likely not work out,” he said. “I have to think about the whole process as a big picture. I’m tightening up the business plan, utilizing all of the sources. I’m just honestly feeling like I’m going to be prepared.”

The formal statewide awards event will be held Sept. 17. Final winners will be announced, and $60,000 in unrestricted startup funding will be awarded.

Evans said the recognition already benefits the county.

“It puts Edgecombe County on the map for economic development and shows local residents that high-level funding and statewide exposure are within reach,” she said. “Win or lose, this event proves that rural entrepreneurship can thrive and compete at the highest level.”

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Ģ������Ƶ President Dr. Greg McLeod; Jean Bailey, Ģ������Ƶ Foundation Board president; Eddie Stocks, vice president of member and industrial development at Edgecombe-Martin County Electric Membership Corporation; and Tameka Kenan-Norman, executive director of public information and institutional advancement

Edgecombe-Martin County Electric Membership Corporation has donated $1,000 to the Ģ������Ƶ Foundation to continue its annual scholarship. Two Ģ������Ƶ students enrolled in the Engineering or Electrical Systems Technology programs will receive $500 each.

“Engineering and Electrical Systems Technology are high-demand fields, and scholarships like this help our students gain the skills they need to succeed,” said Tameka Kenan-Norman, executive director of public information and institutional advancement. “We are grateful to Edgecombe-Martin County Electric Membership Corporation for consistently supporting Ģ������Ƶ and recognizing the importance of preparing students for careers.”

Eddie Stocks, vice president of member and industrial development at Edgecombe-Martin County Electric Membership Corporation agreed, stating, “As a member-owned electric cooperative, we believe in investing back into the communities we serve. Supporting Ģ������Ƶ helps strengthen local workforce development and ensures students have access to the training and opportunities needed for high-demand careers right here at home.”

Students interested in applying for the Edgecombe-Martin County Electric Membership Corporation Scholarship can visit edgecombe.edu/scholarships and complete the Ģ������Ƶ Foundation Scholarship Application.

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