NOVEC Scholarship Fund Awards $1,000 Scholarship to SVHEC Welding Student

South Boston, Va. — The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) Scholarship Fund has awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Lena Bailey, a Welding student at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC).

Bailey is one of six women currently enrolled in the Welding Program at SVHEC. The scholarship marks the first scholarship award provided by NOVEC through the Southern Virginia Higher Education Foundation (SVHEF), helping support students pursuing workforce credentials and career opportunities in Southern Virginia.

“We are grateful to NOVEC for investing in our students and supporting workforce education at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center,” said Liza Fulton, SVHEF Scholarship and Outreach Coordinator. “Scholarships like this help make educational opportunities more accessible and encourage students to pursue careers that strengthen our regional workforce.”

Bailey was recognized alongside her father, Christopher Bailey; Shelia Bradley, NOVEC Community and Government Liaison; Charles Barksdale, SVHEC Welding Instructor; and Fulton.

The NOVEC Scholarship Fund is helping expand opportunities for students like Bailey as they gain hands-on skills and prepare for careers in high-demand industries. SVHEF provides scholarship opportunities to students enrolled at SVHEC and works to help remove financial barriers to education and workforce training.

Pictured left to right: Liza Fulton, SVHEF Scholarship and Outreach Coordinator; Christopher Bailey, Lena Bailey’s father; Lena Bailey, Welding student and NOVEC Scholarship Recipient; Shelia Bradley, NOVEC Community and Government Liaison; and Charles Barksdale, SVHEC Welding Instructor.