WINGS Scholarship | Women Executives | Supporting & nurturing each other's personal and career growth.

As Women Executives, we are committed to powerful relationships that support the best of who we are in our careers and lives. One of our goals is to encourage other women in their educational endeavors in the Charlotte area. We created the WINGS scholarship program in 1995 to be the sole philanthropic venture of Women Executives.

sherredemaoheadshot2024 — *Sherré DeMao*

Celebrating 30 Years ... Leading the Way!

A year after becoming impassioned to serve WINGS as a mentor to my first Scholar, Harvard Business School released a report in 2012 that cited Charlotte being ranked 50^th for helping those in poverty realize economic mobility. This statistic made me all the prouder of what the WINGS Scholarship and Mentoring Program was doing for our Scholars. We had been addressing this issue since 1995 advancing economic opportunities through the achievement of an undergraduate degree.

At the start of my term as WINGS President, I shared my theme, "Full Circle - Leading the Way", inspired by my journey as a first-time college student dependent on scholarships and working multiple jobs while in undergraduate school--just like our WINGS Scholars.

Through a survey of Women Executives, we discovered from those who participated that nearly 60% relied on merit scholarships, 28% on financial-need scholarships, and almost 40% received financial aid or grants. Like our scholars, 70% worked one or more jobs while pursuing their undergraduate degrees. Additionally, more than 20% were the first in their families to attend college. This is why mentoring has been such a valuable component of our program. We care because some of us have been there. We elevate confidence and guide scholars toward resources, achievement and believing that they can.

We are indeed "Leading the Way" having granted over $1.1 million in scholarships and celebrated 150 graduates in our first 30 years. Your support helps us elevate our Scholars to even greater heights of opportunity and positions our program for even greater impact over our next 30 years.

With appreciation,

Sherré DeMao
WINGS President, 2024-2026

CLICK HERE to see the Impact of our WINGS Program over 30 Years .

WINGS Scholarship and Mentoring Program

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

WINGS funds 20 scholars each year. Scholars attend Central Piedmont Community College, UNC Charlotte, Johnson C. Smith University, Queens University and Johnson & Wales University.

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WINGS Vision

To harness the power and resources of Women Executives to support the upward mobility of WINGS Scholars.

WINGS Mission

To create pathways of opportunity for women and all who support women in the pursuit of a higher education degree.

Over 30 Years of Impact

Scholar Success

A graduation rate of over 75% compared to 60% for four-year colleges and 28% for two-year colleges.
64% first in their family to earn a college degree
"More empowered and confident" state WINGS Scholars

Mission Impact

Provided over $1.1 M in scholarships and countless volunteer hours.
Helped Scholars earn over 150 college degrees.
Building a lifetime of Social Capital - Scholars network with Women Executives for connections to job opportunities, internships, resources and professional development that are ongoing as they become alumni of WINGS.

Creating Economic Empowerment

WINGS Scholars receive $7,000 per year for a four-year institution, or $2,500 per year for a two-year institution until graduation (if minimum GPA and credit hour requirements are maintained).
Scholars are selected based on having a clear financial need.
Each scholar receives a laptop.

Advancing Social Capital/Mobility