Student Success
Students Receive College’s Most Prestigious Honor
RALEIGH, N.C. (December 16, 2024) – Three outstanding and deserving Wake Tech students have been named Scott Scholars for the 2024-25 academic year.
Xia Han, Amarachi Ekwegh and Angela Froese will each receive up to $3,500 to cover tuition, fees and books – along with a laptop, a summer internship placement, a mentor from senior administration and opportunities to participate in special projects and events. The merit-based Scott Scholarship is Wake Tech's most prestigious and sought-after honor, designed to provide leadership development opportunities for outstanding students in associate degree programs.
Han, originally from China, is pursuing an Associate in Science degree and plans to transfer to UNC-Chapel Hill next year. She serves as an Orientation Leader and a Peer Tutor at Wake Tech, helping new students familiarize themselves with the college, and provides one-on-one academic support to others. She is also a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.
Han is also very active at the Summit Mandarin Campus of Summit Church in Chapel Hill, where she organizes events to foster cultural unity. She plans to continue developing her leadership skills as a Scott Scholar.
"I want to use what I learn to positively impact not only my immediate community but also the world at large," she said.
Ekwegh, an international student from Nigeria, is pursuing an Associate in Applied Science degree in Cybersecurity and hopes to transfer to a university to continue her education after she graduates. Ekwegh is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and serves as a Wake Tech Student Ambassador. She is also the president of Wake Tech's Women in Cybersecurity student chapter and an intern at Activate Good, where she is gaining valuable experience in community engagement and event planning.
Having faced challenges such as financial hardship and the demands of a rigorous academic workload, Ekwegh draws strength from her experiences to empower underrepresented groups both on campus and beyond.
"I am dedicated to amplifying the voices of those who often go unheard," she said. "My mission as a Scott Scholar is to guide my peers in transforming their dreams into reality through mentorship, advocacy and meaningful opportunities."
Froese is pursuing an Associate in Applied Science degree in Graphic Design and is president of the Wake Tech Graphic Design Association. She is also a member of the Wake Invests in Women Career Guides Mentor Program, which provides opportunities for students to connect with area professionals.
Froese enjoys volunteering with several organizations, including Meals on Wheels, Backpack Buddies and Miracle League Baseball. When her children were young, she says she often brought them along on volunteer activities, and now, as young adults, they continue to volunteer on their own. Froese says leadership opportunities are important to her, and she is thrilled to be selected for this honor.
"Becoming a Scott Scholar is an opportunity for personal growth, and I know it will be invaluable to my education journey," she said.
"We are so proud of these students and their impressive goals," said Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls. "Xia, Amarachi and Angela are wonderful examples of how students can dream big, expand their skills and serve others while pursuing their educational goals. I can't wait to see what the future holds for each of them."
The Scott Scholars program is named in honor of Wake Tech's third president, Dr. Stephen C. Scott, who retired in 2018 after 15 years at the helm of the state's largest community college. It was established in 2012 with a $25,000 endowment from Wake Tech alumni Mark and Rachel Selisker. The program's goal is to raise $1 million to support four Scott Scholars each academic year.
