Seven Durham Tech Students to Attend NC State on Prestigious Goodnight Scholarships

Gabriel Baker
Jun 05, 2024

Seven Durham Tech students will be attending NC State beginning this fall on Goodnight Scholarships, valued at $23,000 per year for up to three years for transfer students from low- and middle-income families in North Carolina who are studying in a STEM or STEM-education field.

The Goodnight program also offers students opportunities to grow through leadership, service, study abroad, cultural, and community activities. The highly competitive application process involves written essays and a day on campus with activities and interviews.

“The Goodnight Scholarship gives a student the chance to focus on academics instead of the financial issues of college, but also to go beyond with opportunities such as enrichment grants,” said recipient Jacob King, who attended Durham Tech. “The chance to excel professionally is there, and the Goodnight Scholarship provides fantastic steps toward that."

The Goodnight Scholars from Durham Tech are:

  • Lili Bolaños Abarca completed her Associate in Science degree at Durham Technical Community College in fall 2023, where her involvement in the SEA-PHAGES Program sparked a passion for Microbiology and Genomics. As a participant in NC State's C3 Program, she broadened her academic pursuits. Last summer, Lili contributed to the EDGE Genomics Program at UNC-Chapel Hill, returning this summer for further lab engagement. Now at NC State, she is pursuing a major in Microbiology while concurrently serving as a Spanish medical interpreter at UNC Hospitals.
     
  • Leslie Galicia graduated with an Associate of Arts degree from Durham Tech where she was a part of the NC State Community College Collaboration. During her time there, she served as an active member of the Phi Theta Kappa Chapter and demonstrated her commitment to her community through her volunteer work at the local community garden and Triangle Nonprofit Foundation. Leslie was also involved in strengthening Latino presence and appreciation on campus through her involvement in the Cambiando Caminos Club. She plans to major in elementary education with aspirations of becoming a role model and inspiration for young students.
     
  • LaPrecious Harris graduated this spring from Middle College High School, which is run in partnership with Durham Tech. She has been involved in the Youth in Action club, which puts volunteer work and leadership in the hands of students. She also participated in the BOOST science program at Duke University and aided in inexpensive veterinary care for a nonprofit called Beyond Fences in Durham. She plans on majoring in animal science in hopes of becoming a veterinarian.
     
  • Jacob King is a Magna Cum Laude graduate from Durham Tech where he earned his associate in science. Jacob has been involved with the YouTube community, where he made informational videos on how to do game development on his YouTube channel. Also, through his knowledge of computer science, was able to help automate processes for a business owner. Jacob plans to major in computer science.
     
  • Amel Mojali is from Yemen and lives in Durham County. Amel will graduate with an associate degree in science from Durham Technical Community College. Amel is a member of the Community College Collaboration program (C3). Amel also has volunteered for three years as an Arabic teacher in her community. Amel plans to major in engineering, technology and graphic design education.
     
  • Maya Van Kanegan graduated from Middle College High School where she was the president of the National Honor Society Chapter. She was also the captain of the Science Olympiad team, and president of the Speech and Debate Team. Maya plans to major in biomedical engineering.
     
  • Selin Yalcin will graduate with an Associate in Science from Durham Technical Community College where she was the president of the STEM Journal Club and participated in the NCMATYC math competitions in Durham Tech’s math team. Selin was also involved in her school’s Student Government Association, was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and engaged in volunteering and leadership activities. Selin plans to major in computer science.