Southeast student is Leaders of Promise Scholarship recipient

Erika Garland, a nursing student at Southeast Kentucky Community amp; Technical College, has been named as a 2010 Leaders of Promise Scholar. A resident of Cumberland and a 2009 graduate of Harlan County High School, Erika was one of 30 from a pool of 383 applicants from across the country selected for the prestigious award.

Leaders of Promise Scholarship recipients are awarded $1,000 to facilitate the completion of the associate degree as well as participation in the national honorary organization, Phi Theta Kappa.

The award will be disbursed to the recipient in two payments of $500 each to be used for the 2010 and 2011 academic year.

Erika, who is a first-year student in the SKCTC Nursing Program, serves as president of the colleges chapter, Xi Sigma, of Phi Theta Kappa. The organization is a national honorary for students who excel academically. She also serves as a tutor at the college and is involved in several campus and community organizations.

I am honored to have been named a recipient of the Leaders of Promise Scholarship, she said. It will help me complete my education and help me to realize my dream of becoming a nurse.

The daughter of Craig and Deana Garland, Erika, after receiving her degree in nursing from SKCTC, wishes to remain in the area and give back to her community.