SANFORD - Central Carolina Community College student Nayib Bryan, of Sanford, is among five recipients of a $1,000 Southeastern Council on Military Education scholarship.

Bryan is an active duty U.S. Army Staff Sergeant, husband, new father, and student. Deciding to accept the offer to take a year off from his Army duties, he came to CCCC to pursue an Associate in Science Degree to aid in his goal of transferring to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in order to earn a degree in Aeronautics. Bryan said that he took the educational opportunity in order to better himself and provide a better future for his family. Bryan has also been a participant in CCCC's TRiO Student Support Services program.

The Southeastern Council on Military Education (SECOME) is one of 13 Advisory Councils on Military Education (ACME) in the country. SECOME represents Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina and is a 501c3 organization. Its mission is to promote, support, and deliver quality educational and professional opportunities and practices within all branches of the Armed Forces by providing innovative and ethical provisions for higher educational institutions, government, and state entities.

"The staff and students make the community college experience enjoyable and worthwhile," said Bryan. "The instructors are willing to work with students and military personnel who may have to report to unforeseen duty. There are numerous resources at the College in place to help students succeed. The overall experience has been more than was expected."

"Since signing up for the TRiO Student Support Services program one year ago, every question that I asked was answered," said Bryan. "The staff has been great with assisting me in finding and completing scholarships, helping with challenging assignments, and providing valuable information at workshops." Bryan also volunteers his time serving CCCC's Veterans Upward Bound program, one of the other TRiO programs at CCCC.

Amanda Parkstone, Interim Director of Veterans Upward Bound, who also serves as SECOME Vice President, was honored to see Bryan receive this scholarship. "We hope that next year we continue to have the opportunity to offer more scholarships than the year prior to make the impact of our work more widespread and to continue to contribute to the success of military-affiliated students in our member states."

TRiO programs are federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRiO includes eight programs targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to postbaccalaureate programs. Central Carolina Community College is home to four TRiO programs, including two Student Support Services programs, Veterans Upward Bound, and an Upward Bound Math and Science program.

For more information about TRIO Programs at CCCC, visit the website www.cccc.edu/trio.