For Brunswick Community College Nursing student Sarah Long, caring for others has always come naturally. Now, her compassion, determination, and hard work have earned her national recognition as a 2026 Chime Workforce Scholar.
Sarah is one of just 200 students nationwide selected to receive the Chime Workforce Scholarship, a $1,000 award funded by the Chime Scholars Foundation and administered by the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation. The scholarship recognizes students for their academic achievements and commitment to preparing for careers in high-demand fields.
For Sarah, the recognition is especially meaningful. Her journey to nursing has been shaped by personal challenges, a strong work ethic, and a desire to make a difference in the lives of others.
Her passion for caregiving began at just 11 years old, when her grandmother became terminally ill. Knowing how much her grandmother wanted to remain at home, Sarah helped care for her, working alongside other caregivers to make that possible. The experience left a lasting impression and helped shape the path she would eventually pursue.
After high school, Sarah took a job in the kitchen at Arbor Landing, a senior living community offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care. It wasn’t long before the facility’s Director of Nursing recognized her potential and encouraged her to consider a clinical role.
Sarah became a personal care assistant, then a certified medication technician. Today, she continues to work at Arbor Landing in memory care, a field she finds especially rewarding.
“It’s like spending time with a whole lot of grandparents,” she said with a smile.
While Sarah’s passion for helping others was clear, her path to college wasn’t always easy. Having spent much of her childhood in foster care, she faced obstacles and discouragement that might have caused others to give up. Instead, those experiences strengthened her determination to build the future she wanted.
Sarah enrolled at BCC in Spring 2024 and completed the prerequisites necessary to apply to the Nursing program, including earning her Certified Nurse Aide credential. She was accepted into the Associate Degree Nursing program in May 2025 and is on track to graduate in May 2027.
Since arriving at BCC, Sarah has made the most of every opportunity. She served as a Student Ambassador for two years, representing the College at numerous events and twice serving as a featured speaker. She currently serves as her nursing cohort representative, helping strengthen communication between students and faculty.
She’s equally enthusiastic about the education she’s receiving.
“I’m so grateful for the education I’m receiving at BCC,” Sarah said. “Our instructors challenge us, support us, and make sure we’re learning the skills we need to succeed. I feel confident that when we graduate, we’ll be well-prepared to provide the very best care possible.”
Sarah also appreciates the connections BCC creates between students and prospective employers. Through on-campus recruiting and interview opportunities, nursing students can meet directly with healthcare organizations looking for their next generation of nurses.
“They bring the hospitals to us, and we have the opportunity to interview,” she explained. “That eliminates so much of the legwork we would otherwise have to do. The employers come to us, which says a lot.”
Looking ahead, Sarah hopes to continue her education at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, ultimately earning a Master of Science in Nursing while remaining close to home and the community she loves serving.
For now, she’s focused on finishing her nursing degree, continuing her work in memory care, and encouraging others who may be facing challenges of their own.
“When you’re in foster care, people can say awful things and assume you’ll never amount to anything,” Sarah said. “But you can’t let their ideas define who you are or what you’ll become. They don’t know you. I’m proof that you can be anything you want to be if you’re willing to put in the work.”
It’s a message Sarah lives every day, and one that makes her recognition as a Chime Workforce Scholar, especially inspiring.
Congratulations, Sarah! Your BCC family is proud of you, and we can’t wait to see what you accomplish next.
November 2026