WINGS Scholarship Program

About WINGS
Women Initiating and Nurturing Growth through Scholarships (WINGS) is a life-changing scholarship program for non-traditional female students at Charlotte area universities offered by Women Executives (WE).  As the sole philanthropic initiative of WE, WINGS provides scholarship and mentoring support for female undergraduate students, 25 years or older, who are pursuing higher education as a way to improve their lives.

Since 1995, WE's Women Executives for Community Service, WECS, (the 501c-3 non-profit affiliate of WE), has been awarding WINGS scholarships to women attending the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Queens University of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College, Johnson C. Smith University and Johnson and Wales University.  Each year, WINGS supports at least 20 scholars.  Unique to many scholarships, WINGS follows and funds each scholar throughout her undergraduate career as long as she as long as she is in compliance with the scholarship requirements.

To find out more about the WINGS Scholarship view this video. WECS and WINGS thanks Tonya Jameson of Darling Media Group for her support in filming and producing this video: http://www.vimeo.com/12056353

During the past 22 years, WINGS has:
  • Helped scholars earn 110 college degrees (many of whom were the first in their families to graduate from college)
  • Received corporate sponsorships and foundation donations which contributed generously to the scholarship fund as a way to support education and the ideals behind WINGS in the Charlotte community
  • Provided over $650,000 in college scholarships to deserving WINGS scholars
  • Donated over 19,000 hours of mentoring support through Women Executive members donating their time, experience and mentoring support through one-on-one relationships or as program volunteers
  • Built  a strong network of post-graduate scholars, many of whom come back for bi-annual WINGS scholar education events
  • Changed lives for women who have reached levels beyond their dreams
The women selected as WINGS scholars are dealing with life's challenges, but are determined to persevere.  Though they may struggle financially and personally, they realize that they can improve their circumstances, and their families', through education.

Scholarship recipients must meet established financial need criteria and participate in a competitive application and interview process to be considered for a scholarship.
Commonalities among all WINGS scholars include:
  • Demonstrated Financial Need
  • Clear educational Goals
  • A strong Vision of their professional future
  • A history of overcoming challenges
  • A desire to form a strong mentor/mentee relationship
Scholarship funds are administered by the financial aid offices at each of the four partner schools, and students' academic progress and achievement are monitored annually.

"WINGS scholarships give confidence and hope", says Janet Daniel, Director of Adult Students and Evening Services (OASES) at UNC-Charlotte who has worked with WINGS from the beginning.  "WINGS is a tremendous investment of resources for the female non-traditional student to have.   We are so grateful to have WINGS as a partner in helping our students in such an impactful way."

Unique in providing life-changing support through education dollars and a mentoring one-on-one relationship that is so valuable to the scholars, the WINGS scholarship does really make a difference and can set a path of success for years to come.

For contribution or volunteer information on the WINGS program, contact the Women Executives for Community Service (WECS) office, wings@womenexecutives.org, or 704-236-2324.

WINGS - WECS
P.O. Box 221033
Charlotte, NC 28222
wings@womenexecutives.org

Women Executives for Community Service (WECS) is the 501(c) (3) non-profit affiliate of WE and the umbrella for the WINGS program. The most recent WECS tax return can be viewed here. Any questions should be directed to Melissa Boone. Gifts made to WECS for the WINGS program are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Checks should be made payable to Women Executives for Community Service.