Two A&T Leaders Create 'Pioneers of Possibility' Scholarship for First-Gen Students

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Nov. 9, 2026)— Two senior North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University leaders are making a personal investment in the next generation of Aggies through their establishment of the Pioneers of Possibility Endowed Scholarship, a new fund dedicated to supporting first-generation students.

TaJuan R. Wilson, Ed.D., vice chancellor and chief of staff, and Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance/Chief Financial Officer Virginia Teachey are creating the scholarship with an initial fully funded endowment of $50,000 and a shared commitment to increase their investment annually.

For both leaders, the endowment reflects a deeply held belief in the transformational power of higher education and the importance of ensuring that students who are the first in their families to attend college have the resources and encouragement necessary to succeed. It is being unveiled in conjunction with National First-Generation College Student Week, which begins today.

“North Carolina A&T is a place that I love, and I believe that love ought to be demonstrated through more than words,” said Wilson. “Every day, I have the privilege of witnessing the extraordinary promise of our students and the transformational impact of this university. As a first-generation college graduate myself, I know what it means when someone believes in your potential and helps create an opportunity that might otherwise seem out of reach. This endowment is a deeply personal expression of my commitment to a university that means so much to me. I want students to know that we believe in them, that their dreams matter, and that we are willing to invest our own resources in their success.”

The scholarship’s name, Pioneers of Possibility, recognizes the determination of first-generation students who are charting new paths for themselves, their families and future generations. It also celebrates the power of individuals who invest in making those possibilities a reality.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of serving North Carolina A&T is witnessing the life-changing impact education has on our students, their families and the communities they represent,” said Teachey. “As university leaders, we dedicate our careers to making decisions and investing resources that strengthen the institution and create opportunities for future generations. This scholarship allows us to extend that commitment in a more personal and meaningful way.

“We recognize the determination and ambition of first-generation students, as well as the financial challenges that can stand in the way of their success. Through this endowment, we want to help ease those burdens and create opportunities for students to achieve their dreams. Our hope is to create a lasting legacy of opportunity that will benefit students for generations to come.”

Through its endowed structure, the scholarship will provide a sustainable source of financial assistance for eligible first-generation students while preserving the underlying investment to support future generations of Aggies.

Wilson and Teachey hope their commitment will inspire others across the university community to consider how personal philanthropy can advance student success. Others may contribute to the endowment via an online gift.

“Virginia and I wanted to do something meaningful together that reflects who we are, what we value and the kind of legacy we hope to leave,” Wilson added. “We are not simply establishing a scholarship. We are making a promise to students we may never meet, including students who have not yet imagined themselves on a college campus. If our investment helps even one student see a possibility they previously thought was beyond their reach, that is a legacy worth building.”

The Pioneers of Possibility Endowed Scholarship represents an enduring commitment to educational opportunity, reinforcing North Carolina A&T’s mission of preparing students to lead, innovate and transform their communities.

"On behalf of the Division of University Advancement, I am deeply grateful to Dr. Wilson and Ms. Teachey for their thoughtful and generous investment in the success of our first-generation scholars,” said Leandra Hayes-Burgess, interim vice chancellor for University Advancement.“ When leaders who already give so much of themselves to North Carolina A&T choose to invest their personal resources as well, it sends a powerful message to our students that they are seen, supported and capable of extraordinary things.

"My colleagues have established a financial resource that will grow every year, and I hope their example inspires alumni, other university leaders, partners, and friends to join them in opening doors for current and future students.”