‘This program is such a blessing.’ Students express gratitude for Golden LEAF scholarships

Published Jan 31, 2020 by

ECU News Services

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Robynique Willis-Brown is determined not to be a statistic.

Growing up in the foster system, Willis-Brown was surrounded by many uncertainties. Whether she could go to college was just one of them. Of the 80% of foster children who want to go to college, just 20% attend, according to a review of multiple studies.

“As an African American female pursuing higher education and coming from a difficult background, I knew getting a college degree would be difficult,” Willis-Brown said.

A scholarship from the Golden LEAF foundation helped pave the way for the Pitt County native.

Willis-Brown made it to college. She graduated from East Carolina University in 2018 with a degree in social work and went on to receive her master’s in 2019. She now works as a social work case manager at Vidant Medical Center. Willis-Brown returned to campus on Jan. 29 for the sixth annual Golden LEAF Scholars Luncheon to talk about the impact the program had on her life.

“This program is such a blessing. It supported me throughout every obstacle in my education. Without this program, I don’t know where I’d be. I’m very grateful,” she said. “Golden LEAF turned my life into something I never expected.”

The sixth annual Golden LEAF scholars luncheon was Jan. 29 in the Main Campus Student Center. There are 73 ECU students currently benefitting from the program. (Photos by Cliff Hollis)

The Golden LEAF Scholarship Program is designed to assist students from rural counties who demonstrate both financial need and merit. (LEAF stands for Long-term Economic Advancement Foundation). Since establishing the scholarship program 20 years ago, Golden LEAF has provided over 5,400 scholarships to help North Carolinians attend participating four-year colleges and universities in North Carolina. And Golden LEAF Foundation Scholars choose ECU more than any other school in the state. There are 73 ECU students currently benefitting from the program.

“Golden LEAF’s mission is to increase economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural and tobacco-dependent communities,” said Scott Hamilton, Golden LEAF president. “The foundation funds the scholarship program to provide students with opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills to be successful in the workplace and as leaders. Our hope is that once our scholars complete their education, they will return home to live, work and lead in their rural communities.”

Students awarded Golden LEAF Scholarships are also eligible to participate in the Golden LEAF Scholars Leadership Program, which includes leadership training and paid internship opportunities.

In addition to scholarships, Golden LEAF supports ECU in other ways. A $1 million award from the foundation supported the creation of RISE 29, an innovation and entrepreneurship program aimed at rural economic prosperity. The program won a national award for innovation in its first year.

Golden LEAF Scholars — from left, sophomore Trysten Culler, dental student Caitlin Trexel Melvin, and alumna Robynique Willis-Brown — talk about their scholarship experience.

At the luncheon, Interim Chancellor Ron Mitchelson spoke of the complementary mindsets that Golden LEAF and ECU share when it comes to helping the region and its students.

“This region is largely rural. At ECU, 10,000 students come from distressed counties. The second closest is NC State with 6,000. We reach out to rural North Carolina in many ways, providing services and learning opportunities,” he said.

He then thanked the Golden LEAF Foundation for its longstanding support of students who enroll at ECU. Students like Willis-Brown, who is a living testimony that it’s possible to succeed no matter where you come from.

When asked what she’d say to high school students considering applying for the Golden LEAF scholarship, she said, “Hands down, hats off, do it.”

The deadline for the $12,000 four-year Golden LEAF Scholarship is March 1. Find more information about the scholarship here.

-by Erin Shaw, University Communications