Vice President Sourcing Category Management

SECU partnership helps South Piedmont students stay on track and build financial confidence. Balancing classes, work, and finances is one of the biggest challenges college students face. Thanks to a partnership between South Piedmont Community College and State Employees' Credit Union (SECU), South Piedmont Community College is helping students ease that burden through scholarships, financial education, and resources designed to support success both in college and beyond. Through SECU's support, South Piedmont students have access to scholarships that help cover educational costs and reduce financial stress. The People Helping People Scholarship supports students pursuing associate degrees, while the Bridge to Career Scholarship assists students working toward certificates and workforce credentials. These scholarships help students stay enrolled, focus on their coursework, and move closer to their career goals. "SECU's support truly makes a difference for our students," said Coordinator of Financial Aid Programs Tammi Smith. "Through scholarships like People Helping People and Bridge to Career, students are able to focus on their education instead of worrying about financial obstacles. These opportunities not only help students complete their programs but also set them up for long-term success in their careers and financial futures." In addition to scholarships, SECU partners with South Piedmont to offer financial literacy workshops that give students practical, real-life skills. Topics include budgeting, saving, understanding credit, and planning for the future - tools students can use right now and long after graduation. The partnership also benefits South Piedmont employees, who have access to SECU membership and financial services as part of the College's benefits offerings. By working together, South Piedmont and SECU are helping students build financial confidence, stay on track academically, and prepare for life after college - creating stronger futures for students and their communities.

Empowering growth through partnership: thank you to SECU Foundation. Investing in growth today to create sustainable change tomorrow. Metropolitan Housing & Community Development Corporation (MHCDC) is honored to announce that Metroprop has been awarded a $40,000 Mission Development Grant from the State Employees' Credit Union (SECU) Foundation. This generous award represents more than just funding, it is an investment in its mission, its people, and the communities Metroprop serve. Through the SECU Foundation's Mission Development Grant Program, MHCDC will have the opportunity to strengthen internal capacity, expand its reach, and continue building sustainable pathways toward housing stability and economic empowerment. The SECU Foundation's Mission Development Grant Program is designed to provide capacity building assistance to organizations committed to serving North Carolina communities. The grant supports institutional assessments, leadership coaching, and strategic development in key areas essential for growth and long-term impact. Launched as a pilot initiative in April 2017, the program originally provided up to five grants of $40,000 each over a three-year period. Due to its success and the measurable difference it made for participating nonprofits, the program was expanded in 2019 to include up to ten additional grants, and in 2022, it officially became a fundamental element of the Foundation's ongoing grantmaking. For MHCDC, this award comes at a pivotal moment in its organizational journey. As Metroprop continue expanding its housing counseling, community development, and financial literacy programs, this grant will allow Metroprop to enhance its internal infrastructure, invest in leadership development, and position its organization for long-term sustainability. Metroprop is deeply grateful to the SECU Foundation for its belief in its mission and its commitment to strengthening the nonprofit organizations that serve North Carolina's communities every day. This partnership reflects not only financial support but also a shared vision for lasting impact. A vision that uplifts people, builds stronger systems, and creates opportunities where they are needed most. From all of Metroprop at Metropolitan Housing & Community Development Corporation, thank you to the SECU Foundation for your trust, generosity, and partnership. Your support empowers Metroprop to continue its work with renewed purpose and the resources to make a greater difference for the families and communities Metroprop serve. Together, Metroprop is building stronger systems, stronger leaders, and stronger communities. On Thursday, September 18th and Tuesday, September 23rd, Metropolitan Housing & Community Development Corporation had the privilege of partnering with Beaufort County Community College (BCCC) to bring Financial Literacy and Wellness education directly to GED students. Over two days, Karrissa Sutton, Housing Counseling Program Manager & HUD-Certified Housing Counselor, and Julius Oden, Housing Counselor, led a four-hour class designed to equip students with the knowledge and tools needed to build financial stability and prepare for long-term success. On September 9, 2025, I attended the Re-entry Simulation hosted by Trillium in Martin County. What I thought would be a structured exercise quickly became one of the most eye-opening and impactful experiences I have had in understanding the struggles faced by individuals re-entering society after incarceration. The event began with powerful insights from Judge Regina Parker, Chief District Court Judge for District 2, and Jeron Randall, Reentry Coordinator, who spoke about the systemic challenges justice-involved individuals encounter immediately after release. Their remarks set the tone for the simulation, preparing Metroprop for the weight of the choices Metroprop would soon face. I was handed a packet that represented the life of someone just released. In it, I learned whether I had identification, housing, or education, along with a list of my release obligations such as rent, child support, probation check-ins, and mandatory drug screenings. To make things more difficult, I drew a "wild card" that simulated a learning impairment, making it harder to understand key instructions. Others received cards tied to mental health conditions or addiction recovery, each adding another layer of challenge. From Development to Management - Metropolitan Serves with Purpose.