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Created by the North Carolina Association of Community College Presidents in 2004, the Governor Robert Scott Leadership Award recognizes leadership by a curriculum student on a statewide level. The late Governor Scott served as the state’s chief executive from 1968-1972 and then as president of the North Carolina Community College system from 1983-1995.

2023 Governor Robert W. Scott Leadership Award Nominee: Bertha Mena

�鶹Ӱ�� has nominated Bertha Mena for the 2023 Governor Robert W. Scott Leadership Award. 

Her participation in the Journey – �鶹Ӱ�� Student Leadership Program while she was pursuing her associate degree was a watershed moment for Bertha. “In professional and personal interactions and decisions, I began to be more thoughtful and empathetic of others. I began to think of nontraditional ways to impact my community after completing the six-week Leadership Program.”

The seed that the Leadership Program planted grew into a GoFundMe campaign Bertha organized for her birthday to purchase school supplies for fellow members of the Student Parent Success Network’s children. She raised $1,300 in 15 days, which was enough to purchase 70 bookbags filled with various school supplies. 

“I know how hard these parents work semester after semester being a parent, a student, a worker and so much more,” Bertha said. “As a member of the Student Parent Success Network, I have met so many devoted, responsible and kind humans.”

Bertha received her degree at �鶹Ӱ�� in business administration. She recently began a job with �鶹Ӱ�� Public Schools’ Career and Technical Education Department.

2022 Governor Robert W. Scott Leadership Award Nominee: Alfred Hilliard

�鶹Ӱ��nical Community College has nominated Alfred Hilliard for the 2022 Governor Robert W. Scott Leadership Award. He is one of the outstanding leaders in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program and a student leader of color on campus. He has bravely spoken up about his experience as a Black male during classroom activities and embodies the College’s core value to be a champion of equity. Along with three of his classmates, Alfred participated in a virtual panel discussion at the North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association Virtual State Conference last year. The session was titled Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Learning Activities to Consider.

“Participating in the discussion was the perfect platform for me to express my thoughts from a black man’s perspective. It was necessary to further the conversation about the prejudices that exist in health care among minorities and how proper intervention can be monumental for change,” he said. “I hope that people will understand that educating yourselves and others about these disparities is the first domino that falls to further progress."

After graduation, Alfred looks forward to becoming an Occupational Therapy Assistant in the Triangle.

2021 Governor Robert W. Scott Leadership Award Nominee: Charmaine Grafton

�鶹Ӱ��nical Community College has nominated Charmaine Grafton for the 2021 Governor Robert W. Scott Leadership Award. Grafton is the 2020-2021 Student Government Association President at �鶹Ӱ��. She is also enrolled in the Business Administration program and plans to start a nonprofit after graduation, which will serve as a resource center for women of color.  

“Leadership, to me is the art of motivating a group to act towards a common goal. As a single mom deciding to go back to school 18 years post high school, was not an easy task. I wanted more for myself and my children and in order for me to show up and maneuver towards the end goal, I had to set some clear goals and get to work inspiring and motivating those around me as well as those who would cross my path during my time on �鶹Ӱ��’s campus. I knew that I wanted to leave my mark here after attending a scholarship breakfast and seeing all the students being recognized for their grit and resilience. I was inspired and led to be more active on campus.”
 

2020 Governor Robert W. Scott Leadership Award Nominee: Shelbie Chervinko

�鶹Ӱ��nical Community College has nominated Shelbie Chervinko for the 2020 Governor Robert W. Scott Leadership Award. Shelbie has a passion for service and social justice, and is very active with the Center for College and Community Service. She’s participated in Alternative Service Break trips, where she served as team leader, and is an active volunteer on campus and in the community.

Shelbie is pursuing an Associate Degree in Nursing at �鶹Ӱ�� and wants to become an emergency department nurse. Later, she wants to earn her Master's Degree in Nursing from UNC-Chapel Hill and become a nurse educator.

“Thank you to �鶹Ӱ��, Dr. Ingram, and the Center for College and Community Service for having these types of opportunities available to students like myself on campus. Each opportunity to lead has given me a chance to make new friendships, meet other volunteers who are just passionate about serving an social justice issues as I am, and to better my campus and community.”
 

2019 Governor Robert W. Scott Leadership Award Nominee: Chris McDuff

�鶹Ӱ��nical Community College has nominated Chris McDuff for the 2019 Governor Robert W. Scott Leadership Award. Chris McDuff graduated with his fifth associate’s degree from �鶹Ӱ�� this year. In 2013, he hit a crossroads in his life and decided to leave his job in retail management and go back to school. Four of his degrees are in the I.T. field, and his ultimate career goal is to own a boutique consulting firm. He will be transferring to East Carolina University this fall.

“I have personally found a home at �鶹Ӱ�� and have been able to help a lot of students. I am happy where I am in my life, and I’m happy where my life is going because of the things that I have experienced at �鶹Ӱ��.”
 

2018 Governor Robert W. Scott Leadership Award Nominee: Noelle Lyon

�鶹Ӱ��nical Community College has nominated Noelle Lyon for the 2018 Governor Robert W. Scott Leadership Award. Noelle enrolled in �鶹Ӱ�� during the Spring 2016 semester and hit the ground running as an active participant on campus. She served as president of the �鶹Ӱ�� Student Government Association and as N4CSGA Parliamentarian for the North Carolina Community College System and has been involved in several student organizations including Christian Club and Phi Theta Kappa.

“�鶹Ӱ�� was the best higher educational decision I could’ve made for myself,” Lyon said. “Coming out of high school I had no idea who I was so I took some time off to figure out my next steps, and during that time I came to realize how much I loved learning, going to school, having homework, and doing projects. My mom, who works at �鶹Ӱ��, encouraged me to take a couple of classes at first. I didn’t know how much I would love it. I quickly decided to go ahead and take my first two years of college here.”

Noelle graduated from the Student Leadership Development Program through the North Carolina Community College System in April 2018 and was also the recipient of the Daryl Mitchell Award of Outstanding Students and the Dr. Michael Taylor Servant Leadership Award.

“I’ve always been an intrinsically motivated person,” Lyon said. “I like to have my ducks in a row and do all of the right things now so that my future is in place. Just knowing what I want to do and aligning my actions so that I achieve those goals.”

Noelle will graduate from �鶹Ӱ�� in December 2018 with an Associate in Science and will transfer to either Towson University, NC State, UNC-Charlotte, or UNC-Wilmington to major in biology. She then plans on getting her Masters in pre-med and is considering attending Campbell University to get her Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine. She aspires to be a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine that specializes in children with mental disorders.  
 

2017 Governor Robert W. Scott Leadership Award nominee: DeCarlos Hickson 

�鶹Ӱ��nical Community College nominated DeCarlos Hickson for the 2017 Governor Robert W. Scott Leadership Award. DeCarlos graduated with an Associate in Arts degree from the Arts, Sciences, and University Transfer program. After �鶹Ӱ��, he planned to continue his educational pursuits at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with hopes of studying sociology and management in society with a concentration in human resources management, and a minor in studio art.

DeCarlos served as an outstanding model of academic and extracurricular dedication at �鶹Ӱ��. DeCarlos demonstrated his leadership skills by serving in three different roles on the Student Senate, including secretary, vice-president and currently as president. He has also found time to contribute art work and writings to �鶹Ӱ��’s literary publication, the Final Draft, all while maintaining a 3.42 grade point average (GPA).

“Leadership is not about what others can do for you. It is about what you can do for others,” DeCarlos said. “I want to make a difference. I want to leave behind a legacy. I want to be a leader, not for the glory and prestige, but for the people. For the people whose lives will be touched and the lives of others that they will
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2016 Governor Robert W. Scott Leadership Award nominee: Maria Cristina Canini

�鶹Ӱ��nical Community College nominated international student Maria Cristina Canini for the 2016 Governor Robert W. Scott Leadership Award. Maria graduated with an Associate in Science degree from the Arts, Sciences, and University Transfer program. She continued to study at �鶹Ӱ�� for a year to help ensure her success when she transferred to UNC-Chapel Hill in Fall 2017 to study biomedical engineering.

Maria served as an outstanding model of academic and extracurricular dedication at �鶹Ӱ��. She participated in numerous clubs, including the Gamma Beta Phi and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Societies, as well as the Social Committee chair of the Student Senate, the Environmental Science Club, and Cambiano Caminos, among others, all while maintaining a 3.87 GPA. Maria served as Student Senate president at the College in the 2016 – 2017 academic year.

Maria places great value on the relationship between leadership and education. She has honed her leadership skills since 11th and 12th grades, when she served as class president. “When I started my presidency, I didn’t know exactly what a leader was supposed to do, but I was very passionate about representing my classmates and being the voice for those who did not know how to speak up,” she said.

Maria also said she is sensitive to the qualities that differentiate a manager from a leader. “It’s a leader’s responsibility to set a positive atmosphere. I want to be respected, and will work hard to earn that respect so I can motivate my team. I want people to feel they are working with me, not for me.”

Maria attributes her success and leadership to strong work habits, such as time management, reliability, strong communication skills, and collaboration. “Being a leader motivated me to work on myself and improve my skills. A leader must set the example for others,” she said.

“It has given me great satisfaction to assist Maria in her leadership development and watch her grow in her commitment to �鶹Ӱ��,” Student Senate Advisor Gilbert Umberger wrote in a letter of recommendation. “She exhibits a characteristic that few possess today: a positive attitude.”