Five NC community college students awarded 2024 Sam Taylor Scholarships
The recipients of the 2024 Samuel M. Taylor Memorial Life Sciences Scholarships were Lila Bradshaw, Frankie Nobles, Kiera Darden and A.J. Johnson. Hesbam Gamaan is not pictured.
Five community college students have been awarded the prestigious Samuel M. Taylor Memorial Life Sciences Scholarship, providing up to $3,000 per student to offset the cost of tuition, fees and books as they pursue careers in the life sciences field.
The scholarship was established by the NC Life Sciences Organization to recognize and remember Sam Taylor, a founder and president of the life sciences industry trade association for North Carolina.
The 2024-2025 scholarship recipients are:
- Ayabami Johnson of Central Carolina Community College, Program: Bioprocess Manufacturing Technology
- Kiera Darden of Durham Technical Community College, Program: Clinical Trials Research Associate
- Hesbam Gamaan of Durham Technical Community College, Program: Facility Maintenance Technology
- Frankie Nobles of Guilford Technical Community College, Program: Bioanalytical Laboratory Technology
- Lila Bradshaw of Johnston Community College, Program: Bioprocess Manufacturing Technology
“I am so proud of these students for earning this prestigious scholarship as they pursue careers in the life sciences,” said Jeff Cox, Ed.D, president of the North Carolina Community College System. “With the life sciences industry booming in our state, biotech companies are in urgent need of skilled workers, and our community college students are essential in meeting this demand.”
Ayabami Johnson, scholarship recipient from Central Carolina Community College, said the scholarship made a big difference in their academic journey. Johnson’s ultimate career goal is to become a Regulatory Affairs Agent, ensuring products comply with guidelines set forth by regulatory agencies.
“This scholarship brought me a sense of financial relief knowing that I can pursue my academic career goals without any boundaries,” Johnson said. “Thank you to the donors. You are so appreciated.”
North Carolina is home to one of the world’s largest and most mature life science clusters, and the industry continues to expand in the state, bringing more jobs that pay good salaries and have a strong career trajectory. Biotechnology is the most prominent subsector of the life sciences industry, and encompasses processes like growing food, making medicines, and developing vaccines.
The Research Triangle alone comprises 600-plus life sciences companies and 24,000+ employees with industry specializations including biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, according to the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.
Organizations like BioNetwork are helping connect the dots between community colleges, companies, and the workforce through talent development and talent acquisition. BioNetwork was established in 2003 as the life sciences training initiative of the North Carolina Community College System. They design and deliver biomanufacturing and food production training, eLearning, lab testing services, and customized training services to community colleges.
Taylor was passionate about the life sciences sector and the industry’s products that can heal patients, feed people, and improve the environment. Taylor also recognized the benefits the industry offers in providing good paying jobs for North Carolinians.
“Sam’s legacy is a life sciences industry in this state that is one of the strongest anywhere in the world,” said NCLifeSci President Laura Gunter. “He knew that an educated and qualified workforce is needed to drive the discovery and innovation for which the industry is known. He especially wanted our state’s citizens to have the educational opportunities and resources they need to have outstanding careers in the life sciences.”
To honor Taylor’s memory, more than 50 donors have pledged more than $250,000 to a fund established at the NC Community Colleges Foundation, Inc. to provide scholarships for students taking life sciences courses in an associate degree program. In the last four years, 18 Taylor scholarships have been awarded to 14 students.
Leadership gifts for the Taylor Scholarship fund came from Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Amgen, Biogen and Hatteras Venture Partners. Grifols, Novo Nordisk, Frankel Staffing Partners, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, Thermo Fisher and Smith Anderson also made significant contributions to the scholarship fund.