Richmond County's 2025 graduating class earns more than $41 million in scholarships
RCSS said June 6 that nearly 1,800 students graduated in the county May 28-30, with several receiving scholarship offers.
'This achievement reflects the commitment our students have made to their futures and the incredible guidance they've received from those around them,' said Shawnda Stovall, president of the Richmond County Board of Education. 'We're proud to celebrate the Class of 2025 and deeply grateful to the families, educators, and school staff who supported them every step of the way.'
According to the school system, the $41.6 million in scholarships reflects a wide range of postsecondary pathways, from four-year universities and technical colleges to military service and specialized career training programs.
'This incredible accomplishment speaks to the dedication of our students and the strong support systems in our schools,' said Dr. Malinda Cobb, interim superintendent of schools. 'We are especially proud of our school counselors, teachers, and graduation coaches who work alongside families to help students explore their strengths and plan their futures.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Yahoo
UGA donors set record with $300.4 million in support
The University of Georgia says private donations surpassed $300 million for the first time. The university announced in a news item on Tuesday that more than 72,460 donors contributed a record $300.4 million to the state's flagship university during the fiscal year that ended June 30. People who donated to the university included alumni, students, parents, UGA employees and retirees, corporate and private foundations, and other community members. Supporters directed gifts to key university projects, including student scholarships, faculty and graduate student support, and the University of Georgia's new School of Medicine, which was authorized in February 2024. The past year's record level of private support to the University of Georgia is part of a growing trend of giving that has boosted the three-year rolling average to $272.8 million, the highest recorded by the university. It also marks the third time in the university's history with total fundraising soared over $250 million. Many collective efforts contributed to UGA's funding this past fiscal year, the university said, including: The UGA Parents Leadership Council, which raised $1.5 million for funds and initiatives that enhance the undergraduate student experience. The Class of 2025, which set a Senior Signature record. More than 3,400 students donated more than $115,000 to 544 funds across campus. The fourth annual Dawg Day of Giving, which broke a single-day record for the university as donors contributed more than 13,000 gifts for students and programs. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'As we continue to innovate and make progress on important initiatives at the University of Georgia, I am incredibly grateful to our donors for all they do to fuel our ongoing pursuit of excellence,' said President Jere W. Morehead. 'I am energized by our loyal alumni and friends and their ongoing confidence in our mission, and I look forward to all that we will accomplish together in the years ahead.' Donors included the Delta Air Lines Foundation, which contributed $5 million to the Hospitality and Food Industry Management program by launching the renovation of the Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel. The university had several naming events throughout the year to honor seven- and eight-figure gifts, including the C. Herman Terry Risk Management and Insurance Program, the Benson-Bertsch Center for International Trade and Security, Layton Design Studio and the M. Douglas and V. Kay Ivester Institute for Business Analytics and Insights. Privately funded scholarships supported more than 9,500 students during the past academic year, and supporters helped fund 391 endowed chairs and professorships. UGA established its 1,000th endowed, need-based scholarship for undergraduate students in November. While many scholarships cover the expenses of attendance, others support experiential learning, student veterans, first-generation students and other endeavors. The university secured the $100 million needed for the School of Medicine's building less than a year after the school's announcement through a combination of state funding and private support. The state-of-the-art facility will feature medical simulation suites, biomedical laboratories and classrooms to support Georgia's growing health care needs. UGA Athletics continues to attract donors who contribute to both sports and academics at noteworthy levels. The university noted 76 'powerhouse donors' who are contributing a $1 million or more to both. RELATED STORIES: Lou Richt, father of former UGA coach Mark Richt, dies UGA study shows how financial stressors can impact military family happiness, relationships UGA study shows links between physical activity, preventing cognitive decline [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Fox News
15-07-2025
- Fox News
New study reveals threats to the Class of 2025. Fixing them should be Job No. 1 for America
This summer should be bringing the Class of 2025 a moment of well-deserved relaxation before they launch their careers. Instead, far too many college and high-school graduates are filled with anxiety. They've applied for dozens, perhaps hundreds, of jobs, but interviews and offers have become increasingly rare. The national unemployment rate for young adults aged 20 to 24 looking for work is 6.6% — the highest level in a decade, excluding the pandemic unemployment spike. Among those without college degrees the situation is even more dire: The unemployment rate for high-school graduates aged 18 to 19 is 14.5%. The precipitous reduction of entry-level hiring has been blamed on tariff-induced economic uncertainty and employers betting that artificial intelligence advances will reduce labor needs. Once there is greater clarity on both fronts, many expect hiring to increase. But what if this is more than a short-term blip? A major new study by research consultancy HarrisX, funded by our family foundation, reveals that school-to-work pathways for millions of young Americans — both those with and without college degrees — are far more deeply fractured than previously known, posing a significant threat to building the future workforce essential to growing the U.S. economy. More than four in 10 young people say both the education system and the employment resources to which they have access are broken and not providing them effective guidance. And they worry employment will become even more difficult as AI impacts the job market: Nearly half said they feel unprepared, or are unsure of their preparation, for jobs of the future. The study reveals how a broad swath of Generation Z between 16 and 24 years old remains far from tapping its full potential because of systemic inertia that leaves too many young people stranded at the start of their careers. Many young people are not being adequately served by the institutions they encounter at every stage of their journey into adulthood, from high schools that do not expose students to a range of careers and non-college training pathways to achieve good jobs, to employers who are unwilling to invest in building hard and soft skills among new hires. This broken marketplace has significant consequences for the future of the U.S. economy, particularly efforts by the Trump administration to increase domestic industrial production, which will require a larger pipeline of skilled workers. Our nation has millions of open jobs — more than 7 million of them, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The problem for the Class of 2025, and many other jobseekers, is that the skills taught in our high schools and colleges aren't aligned with what many businesses need, especially advanced manufacturers. Many of those unfilled jobs — and more so in the future — require applicants to possess more than just a high-school or college degree. Yet too many young adults lack the guidance and resources to acquire the necessary skills and credentials. Too often, adults fault young people for not demonstrating more initiative and gumption in their journey into working life. But everyone who engages with young adults is responsible: Nearly 80% of parents rely on their own dated personal experiences and input from friends and family — as opposed to outside resources — to guide their children. Eighty-five percent of educators and career navigators don't collaborate with employers. More than three-in-four employers require at least a year of experience from those seeking entry-level jobs, yet most do not offer internships, apprenticeships or other programs designed to provide early-career experience. Having been connected to a Fortune 500 company for three decades, we know well the pressure to use every dollar to grow the bottom line. But our businesses and our overall economy won't thrive over the long run if firms don't invest in creating new opportunities for workers. Our nation has millions of open jobs — more than 7 million of them, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. One of the innovations at Starbucks of which we are most proud has nothing to do with coffee. It was the decision to offer every Starbucks barista the opportunity to launch new careers by enrolling online at Arizona State University for free. To date, more than 16,000 of them have graduated with bachelor's degrees — vaulting many into new roles inside and outside the company, with an average pay increase of $40,000 within 18 months. The alarming headline about recent graduates should bolt us out of our complacency. Too many of our systems were designed for a different era. The old model of earning a degree and staying with one employer for decades no longer fits today's dynamic workforce. The challenge now is to build a better marketplace — one that is nimble, forward-looking, and grounded in the realities of a global, tech-driven economy. That marketplace requires embracing the power of AI to help repair what it is destroying: AI-powered agents and other tech tools that can help young people navigate options with more clarity. By surfacing internships, training programs, and regionally relevant opportunities, we can meet students with the right guidance at the right time. We need more relevant insights about emerging opportunities, the value of different pathways and credentials, and labor-market disruptions. We also must embrace a fundamental change in how we all learn, from a learn-then-work model to a world of lifelong learning, hands-on skills, and fluid pathways across industries. As ASU President Michael Crow puts it, the mission of education is not to "complete" a student; it is to launch a learner for life. Only then can this generation achieve a real chance to rise and achieve a new American Dream. This is moment to build a future that delivers progress not just for the Class of 2025, but for every class after them. Sheri Kersch Schultz is co-founder and chair of the Schultz Family Foundation.
Forbes
07-07-2025
- Forbes
Stand Out In The 2025 Job Market: 6 Tips To Shine On Day One
Experts offer new college graduates tips on how to shine on day one in the new job and mistakes to ... More avoid to prevent "dead on arrival" in the crowded job market. As the Class of 2025 prepares to enter an even tougher job market than their predecessors, the unemployment rate for recent grads has risen to 5.8%, up from 4.6% last year. Business leaders contend that a standout first impression at work is no longer optional. It's essential. It's hard not to be discouraged in a crowded market. But experts offer tips on how you can stand out in the 2025 job market and shine on day one. Stand Out In The 2025 Job Market On Day One A new survey from TopResume shows that over half (52%) of college graduates don't believe their degree will get them a job this year, 43% feel unprepared for the job market and 24% have delayed job hunting until after graduation. If you're job searching, this negative mindset can be a big obstacle from you standing out on day one. Hiring managers are trained to pick up on candidates with self-doubt or lack of confidence. Appeasing is another roadblock that prevents you from shining in the job market. When people-pleasing is based on cooperation and team spirit, it's a feather in your cap, because it benefits your coworkers, not just you. But if it's only an attempt to shine, it can backfire because colleagues pick up on your motive as manipulation. Understandably, job candidates want to put their best foot forward and present the best image possible. But research shows that 22% of hiring managers want to know your previous failures. While recruiters are impressed when candidates mention previous job failures, there's a catch. You don't leave it there. They're interested in what you learned and how you grew from the experience. Career and workplace expert, Laura Gassner Otting, understands that the shift from classroom memorization to real-world, hands-on learning can be challenging for recent grads. But she also knows the essential mindset and strategies graduates need to hit the ground running in today's competitive workplace. According to Otting, author of Limitless: How to Ignore Everybody, Carve your Own Path, and Live Your Best Life, how you show up on day one can determine whether you're set up for success or labeled 'dead on arrival' before you even get started. If you want to shine on day one, Otting identifies three mistakes to avoid as a new graduate. 1. Jumping in too fast: Trying to 'fix' everything before understanding the culture or systems 2. Not asking for help: Mistaking questions for weakness when they're actually a sign of engagement 3. Going silent: Failing to keep your boss and team informed of progress and challenges If you've got a job interview coming up, giving thought to what the interviewer is going to ask you is crucial. Here are Otting's recommendations. 1. Dress for the job you want. Don't underestimate the unspoken power of first impressions. 2. Sharpen your people skills. Many graduates have forgotten how to interact face-to-face in a post-pandemic world. 3. Understand office norms. Hybrid or in-office environments demand a different rhythm than virtual classrooms. Six Tips To Stand Out In The 2025 Job market I spoke through email with Dr. Chris Graham, executive vice president, workforce and community education at National University. He believes the job market holds a lot of hesitancy and concern for 2025 graduates about what their future and the jump-start of their career looks like. He offers six ways graduates can shine in today's job market. 1. Identifying and Closing Skill Gaps Using AI Tools Makes You Shine After graduation, Graham advises that you proactively assess how your current skills match target roles. He recommends using AI-powered tools or resume/job posting comparison platforms to identify your expertise in software like Tableau, knowledge of Python or other technical skills and work on specific upskilling to bridge these gaps. 2. Leveraging Internal Career Pathways Can Make You A Standout If you're a graduate finishing a college degree while employed, Graham suggests you focus on upward mobility within your current organization. He says it's important to have meetings and conversations with supervisors or talent development teams to learn advancement opportunities or additional skills, certifications or credentials you need to excel. 3. Tapping Into Alumni Networks And Career Services Benefits You Graham recommends that graduates maximize the school's alumni networks, career services and social platforms like LinkedIn. Utilizing alumni directories and university career services allows you to identify industry professionals, request informational interviews and connect directly with decision-makers in their field of interest. 4. Targeting High-Demand Growth Industries Gives You A Leg Up Graham encourages graduates to look beyond their degree title and explore growth sectors where their skills are transferable. 'Fields like AI, cybersecurity, supply chain, behavioral health and project management are actively hiring and often value a mix of technical training and durable skills,' he explains. 5. Showcasing Real-World Experience Makes You A Standout Graduates with military, supervisory or other real-world experience have a leg up on being seen as more valuable for mid-level positions, according to Graham. Companies are seeking candidates to contribute immediately without extensive onboarding. Promoting your first-hand experience can help you jump off the page from a name and degree, he says, allowing employers to see more of what you can offer the position and company. 6. Passion For Learning And Pursuit Of Up-Skilling Makes You A Standout Graham notes that the job market typically favors candidates with a passion for learning. 'Having a degree with certifications in high-demand areas (such as AI literacy, project management or behavioral health) echoes adaptability and future preparedness,' he explains. 'This motivation and drive in engaging with new learning will help all graduates be resilient in the face of economic shifts and evolving industry needs.' A Final Wrap On How To Stand Out In The 2025 Job Market I also spoke through email with Randy Carver, a nationally recognized financial advisor and author of Limitless: Master Your Mind, Defy the Odds, and Achieve the Impossible. Carver shared sage wisdom for all recent graduates: 'To the Class of 2025, if you're finding it tough to land a job, don't be discouraged—be curious. Start by asking why. Seek out feedback from interviews and mentors. Are you applying for roles that match your skills and passions? Can you sharpen your resume or your presentation?" Just because there's a crowd of graduates in a limited market doesn't mean you're at a disadvantage. A positive attitude and belief in yourself can help you stand out in the 2025 job market. Carver explains that every no you get is a steppingstone, not a failure. 'You may not be able to control the job market or the economy,' he points out, "but you can control your mindset, your effort and your ability to adapt. Stay flexible but be intentional about where you're heading. If you can't find the job you want, you have the power to create it.'
