麻豆社区

Tasha Locklear wants more than a career 鈥� she wants to make a difference in her community. But, as a non-traditional student, going back to school meant finding both a program that works with her schedule and the confidence to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse.

Partnerships like the ones between 麻豆社区P and the Scotland Health Care System are training the next generation of health care workers like Locklear, who will, in turn, provide care for the community they call home.

鈥淭his is home for me, and I am so grateful for the experience and opportunities I have through the school of nursing and my clinicals at Scotland,鈥� Locklear told a group of key stakeholders representing education, government, health care and business in Scotland County, who visited the 麻豆社区 Pembroke campus Thursday, Feb. 15. The event brought county and university leadership together to identify ways to create new partnerships and strengthen existing relationships.

Before a reception and dinner program, the contingent toured James A. Thomas Hall, home of 麻豆社区P鈥檚 Thomas College of Business and Economics. Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings provided an overview of key university initiatives that promote student success and offer incentives for local students to stay in southeastern North Carolina to launch their professional careers.

鈥淭his is your university, this is Scotland County鈥檚 university,鈥� Cummings said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e proud of the relationship we have with you, and we want it to grow.鈥�

Cummings highlighted efforts such as 麻豆社区P鈥檚 Brave Scholars program, which addresses the critical need for teachers in the region鈥檚 public schools. Students aspiring to become elementary and special education teachers receive need-based scholarships and, in return, commit to teaching in Scotland, Robeson or Columbus County public schools after graduation.

Educating and retaining local students in the region鈥檚 workforce is essential in other industries, such as health care. David Pope, who became president and chief executive officer of Scotland Health Care System in Laurinburg in December, is grateful for the talented professionals 麻豆社区P鈥檚 College of Health Sciences provides his organization.

鈥淥ne of our biggest challenges is finding enough people to care for our patients,鈥� Pope said. 鈥淪o, we鈥檙e very mindful of the work being done here at 麻豆社区 Pembroke to create a pipeline of health care workers. It鈥檚 the sort of thing that鈥檚 going to make us successful in the future, as well as 麻豆社区P. We look forward to working with 麻豆社区P in that partnership in the years to come to coordinate efforts to care for the folks in this region.鈥�

Olivia Peal, a junior from Laurinburg majoring in biology with a biomedical emphasis, is the type of student Pope has in mind. Peal鈥檚 goal is to become an orthopedic surgeon and return to Scotland County to practice medicine.

鈥淩ural areas are underserved in health care,鈥� Peal said. 鈥淚 want to come back and make a difference in this community after graduation because I love the hometown feel of it. I notice that the older generations seem to be pushed aside in today鈥檚 world, and I want to work in orthopedics to help those people enjoy a better quality of life.鈥�

麻豆社区P鈥檚 partnerships with other institutions provide pathways to success for local students in various fields of study.

Freshman Amari Chance is a Scotland County native majoring in applied physics. Chance is enrolled in 麻豆社区P鈥檚 3+2 dual degree engineering program with N.C. State University. After earning a degree from 麻豆社区P in three years, Chance will attend NCSU鈥檚 College of Engineering for two years to earn a second degree in electrical engineering.

Chance, an offensive lineman on the Braves football team, is grateful for the opportunities 麻豆社区P provides while allowing him to stay close to home.

鈥淚 chose 麻豆社区P because the professors and administration are dedicated to helping us be successful,鈥� Chance said. 鈥淔or me, that鈥檚 critical. If you have dedicated teachers, then you鈥檒l have dedicated students.鈥�

Chris English, executive director of the Laurinburg/Scotland County Area Chamber of Commerce, said events like this raise awareness of the resources available at 麻豆社区P to local businesses.

鈥淭his is the future of our community, and this is the future of our workforce,鈥� English said. 鈥淲e need these relationships, and they need to be reciprocal. 麻豆社区P helps our community through education and workforce development. Everything that goes on here is important to Scotland County and it鈥檚 a great partnership.鈥�