Maribel Gonzalez of Snow Hill has been awarded a scholarship from Walgreens and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK).
The $250 scholarship is designated to cover the cost of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam fee.
The Walgreens Pharmacy Technician Certification Scholarship recognizes Allied Health or Pharmacy Technician students who intend to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification exam.
Gonzalez is one of 18 students selected to receive this award.
She graduated from Wayne Community College’s Pharmacy Technology program in May and is eligible to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam® that is administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.
“I feel so grateful and honored to have been selected for this scholarship,” said Gonzalez. She said the award has relieved some of her financial pressure and is motivating her to get certified.
Gonzalez had previously completed WCC’s Nurse Aide course and earned her certification in that specialty. She hopes to return to WCC to continue her education and earn a nursing degree.
She is employed at Wayne UNC Health Care in Goldsboro.
“We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Walgreens to offer career opportunities and scholarships to these students,” said Dr. Monica Marlowe, executive director of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation.
“Certification exam costs often create a financial barrier for students that hinders their ability to enter the workforce. We are grateful to Walgreens for addressing these challenges and providing a pathway to great career opportunities,” Marlowe said.
The scholarship application is open year-round, and winners are selected twice a year, in the spring and the fall. Up to 50 awards are given each year.
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.

Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves 10,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 165 college credit programs. WCC’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves. Connect with WCC at waynecc.edu.