Hodges Scholarship

I am Kayla Chapman, the 2016 recipient of the Hodges Scholarship. I received my Bachelor in Chemistry at Salem college, and continued my education and received my Masters in Biomedical Science from Wake Forest school of medicine.

Currently, I am working as a QC Scientist; and soon I will be a medical student. My interest is in maternal fetal medicine.

My name is D’Asia Baker and I am the 2018 recipient of the Hodges Scholarship.

I recently graduated from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke with a major in Sociology and a minor in Health Promotion. While obtaining my undergraduate degree I became involved on campus by joining many organizations. I joined the Campus Association of Social Workers, Psychology Club, Health Careers Association, Active Minds, and UNCP Spirit Squad. While being a part of those organizations I got the opportunity to grow my knowledge and also work on my interpersonal skills, which have helped to become who I am now.

When I came into college I was initially a Business Administration major. While sitting in those classes I began to realize that I didn’t have a true passion for Business, my real passion was helping others. That’s when I decided to change my major to Sociology at the end of my sophomore year. During my senior year, I was fortunate enough to have received an internship in Health Promotion at the Student Health Services at UNCP. In my role in this internship, I conducted programs such as a Think Pink Breast Cancer Walk and a World AIDS Day panel.

I got the chance to present at a Lunch and Learn event regarding eating Healthy on a Budget. For this event, I created a PowerPoint to give to students at the event in which I discussed what nutrition is, the food pyramid, and why it is important to eat healthily. I also got the chance to be a panelist at a Social Justice Luncheon about Covid-19 where I spoke alongside physicians, and professors. The internship provided me with the opportunity to be hands-on with planning and implementing programs for college students and community members. I have always had an interest in improving the health of others and raising awareness about healthy behaviors for the general public.

I am grateful for receiving the Hodges Scholarship because it helped me to receive the education that I needed for me to have a successful future. I ultimately aspire to work as a Dean of Health Programs for a college or go into Public Health. I have recently been accepted into graduate school, and I plan to attend East Carolina University to obtain my Master’s degree in Health Education/Promotion in Fall 2023. This graduate program will provide me with the extra knowledge and skills that will help me work toward my career goal. Currently, I work as the Senior Secretary for Emergency and Health Programs at a Community College.

Dr. Nancy Carol Lee is the VISN 6 Designated Learning officer for the Mid-Atlantic Network. She has served in the VA organization for more than 18 years, VA Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Washington DC where she was one of two Lead training officers for the organization. Prior to her time at the OIG, Dr. Lee worked at VA Central office as a program analyst for the National Social Work program office and the Interagency Care and Coordination Benefits office. Her various roles in VHA were as a Geriatric Social worker for the Washington DC VA Medical Center (VAMC), the Durham VAMC, Durham NC as the Infectious Disease social worker and for Inpatient (SICU, MICU, & CCU). Later she transitioned to the Community Contract program at the Durham VAMC to support its effort with oversight of the Contractual nursing homes, Adult Day Health Centers & Homemaker home health aide programs. Dr. Lee loves to support her peers, consistently displays a positive, energetic attitude, enhances professional development, and engages in her local community.

Dr. Lee is a US Army veteran.  She has a Bachelor’s in social work from UNC-Greensboro, Master’s degree in Social Work from Howard University, Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from University of Phoenix, and a Doctorate in Education with emphasis on Organizational Leadership from Argosy University.

She is excited to return to her home state, NC near family and friends. She enjoys spending time with family, friends, shopping, and encouraging others to live their best life.

Walking down the graduation aisle is a memory that lasts a lifetime.

Your future is up to you.

Making new friends is fun and rewarding.