TWELVE LOCAL STUDENTS SELECTED FOR PAID SUMMER ACADEMY FOCUSED ON AGRICULTURE, ADVANCED MANUFACTURING, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
James Sprunt Community College recently hosted its Southeastern Education & Economic Development (SEED) 2026 Kickoff Event in Monk Auditorium, with JSCC President, Dr. Shannon Hair, welcoming students, families, community partners, and special guests as they celebrated the beginning of an exciting summer of learning and career exploration.
SEED is a summer academy designed for high school students and recent graduates who are interested in gaining exposure to careers in agriculture and advanced manufacturing. Students selected for the program will participate in:
- Eight weeks of training during Summer 2026
- Programs offered through James Sprunt, Lenoir, Sampson, Wayne, and Wilson Community Colleges
- 25–28 hours of participation per week
- Paid training at $15 per hour
- Hands-on learning experiences
- Field trips to local businesses and industries
- Classroom instruction led by industry professionals
- Up to 15 college credits that can transfer into a registered apprenticeship or associate degree program
- Stipends to assist with travel and supply costs
The kickoff event featured special guests, including Dr. Kristie Sauls, Vice President of Academic and Student Services at Wayne Community College, along with representatives from Wayne Community College and Sampson Community College.
The following James Sprunt students were accepted into the SEED 2026 program:
- Hailey Cavenaugh
- Aaron Guardado-Corona
- Caleb Graham
- Owen Green
- Lindsey Hatcher
- Maci Lovette
- Hunter Nelbach
- Rodrigo Reyes
- Madelyn Sawyer
- Ady Spence
- Olivia Summerlin
- Alondra Vasquez
Elizabeth Howard, Dean of Business and Industry at James Sprunt Community College, has long been passionate about creating pathways that connect students with meaningful educational and workforce opportunities. Howard said,
“The Southeastern Education and Economic Development (SEED) program, a partnership between the North Carolina Business Committee for Education and Smithfield Foods, provides high school students with an incredible opportunity to earn while they learn through hands-on experiences, college coursework, and weekly exposure to local industries and careers in agriculture. Between June and July, our twelve SEED students will complete their agronomy certificate, participate in multiple field trips and industry tours, and intern with local companies—all while getting paid. This is an invaluable opportunity for our students to develop workforce-ready skills and see firsthand the importance of agriculture and the different career opportunities available right here in Duplin County.”
Dr. Kristie Sauls, one of the program’s leading advocates, worked closely with Smithfield Foods and educational partners to help develop the initiative. Sauls said,
“Tonight represents more than the beginning of a summer program; it represents what can happen when education and business communities come together with the shared goal of investing in our next generation.”
SEED 2026 reflects the power of collaboration between education and industry, providing students with valuable skills, college credentials, and real-world experiences that prepare them for future success.
Dr. Shannon Hair, James Sprunt Community College President, stated,
“Career exploration in both advanced manufacturing and agriculture is a top priority in our great state of North Carolina. Every North Carolinian should be exposed to careers in high-demand fields, which, in turn, give these individuals an industry credential through hands-on experiences and training. Thank you, Sampson Community College and Wayne Community College, for your valued partnership in this pre-apprenticeship program.”
Congratulations to all twelve SEED participants. We look forward to watching them learn, grow, and explore new opportunities throughout the summer.
