Aspiring Nurse Leader Embraces Community and Purpose

Naomi King ’26, a Steve and Debbie Vetter Carolina Covenant for Military Families Scholar from Wilson, North Carolina, is a nursing student at UNC-Chapel Hill. The Vetter Military Families Scholarship supports military dependents, in Naomi’s case, in honor of her father’s service in the Marines. Naomi also earned a Carolina Women’s Leadership Council Scholarship for her extensive involvement in leadership roles during high school.

At Carolina, Naomi is treasurer and sings tenor with the Voices of Praise gospel choir. She is a certified nursing assistant at UNC Hospitals, a member of the Minority Nursing Student Association and a research assistant at the UNC School of Nursing. Each of these roles reflects Naomi’s dedication to making a difference in her community and her enthusiasm for helping others.

After graduation, Naomi hopes to work as a labor and delivery nurse, eventually pursuing a PhD in nursing. She’s passionate about researching ways to promote healthier lifestyles in underserved communities, with a particular focus on inner-city areas. For Naomi, the Carolina Covenant has been instrumental, providing not only financial support but also access to career opportunities, mentorship and a vibrant community. She values the connection with her fellow Covenant Scholars, appreciating the shared backgrounds and experiences that bring them together.

“The Carolina Covenant just made a big difference,” she shared. “It’s made things so much easier, knowing that everything is handled on the other end.”

Naomi has embraced the sense of community and purpose she’s found at Carolina, and her journey is a testament to her resilience, leadership and commitment to impacting the lives of others.

Photo by Jeyhoun Allebaugh

Related Stories

Opening Doors for Non-Traditional Students

Intern shares analytics model with Japanese baseball team

Military Grad Student Up for Promotion