Awards and scholarships
Janet B. Royster Memorial Staff Scholarship
Since 2011, the JBR scholarship has helped permanent, full-time, non-faculty staff across the UNC System pursue degrees, certifications and professional development.
186
Scholarships awarded
Supporting staff at every UNC System institution
$130K+
Awarded since 2011
Funded by donors and the annual Chancellors’ Cup
$1,000
Maximum award
Per employee for the 2026-27 academic year
In memory
About Janet B. Royster
The Janet B. Royster (JBR) Memorial Staff Scholarship Fund was created in August 2011 by the UNC System Staff Assembly in memory of UNC-TV employee Janet B. Royster. Janet represented UNC-TV on the General Administration Staff Forum and was subsequently elected to the UNC System Staff Assembly. She served as its first parliamentarian (2006) until her untimely death in June 2011. This scholarship promotes staff development for permanent, full-time, non-faculty employees, as well as recognizes and honors Janet’s leadership and dedication to all UNC employees.
How the scholarship works
The JBR Memorial Staff Scholarship Fund provides one or more annual awards, based on the availability of funds. Scholarships provide assistance toward earning a degree or other professional certification. Applicants are encouraged to describe how the educational program relates to their career goals. Recipients are selected by the JBR Scholarship Committee.
Award payments are made directly to the employee’s home institution. The institution can either reimburse the employee for the development expense or pay a vendor on the employee’s behalf. The scholarship can be applied to the cost of tuition, fees, books, registration fees for conferences, certificate programs or other related development activities.
The maximum award for the 2026-27 academic year is $1,000 per employee. Awards are not automatically renewable; interested employees must apply each year.
Eligibility
- Applicant must be a permanent, full-time, non-faculty employee of the UNC System
- Applicant must submit a complete application
Selection criteria
The JBR Memorial Staff Scholarship Fund is designed to help a UNC employee become more effective, either in their current position or in preparing for promotion within the UNC System. The selection committee will consider a variety of factors, including, but not limited to:
- The length of time the applicant has worked for the UNC System
- How the educational opportunity will help the applicant perform their job or enhance their career opportunities
- What skill sets the applicant will gain
- The applicant’s long-term educational goals
- The applicant’s long-term career goals
- The applicant’s commitment to their UNC employer institution
Apply
Application process
The application period runs each year from Aug. 15 through Sept. 30. The 2026 application opened Aug. 15, 2026, and closed at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 30, 2026. Awards will be announced in November 2026.
Materials required
- An essay (500 words max) describing your career, community and educational goals. How will participation in this course or training program contribute to your achievement of these goals? How do you contribute to your community and demonstrate positive citizenship?
- One letter of recommendation
- Resume
- Information about the professional development opportunity (website, flyer, course description, etc.)
You must be logged in to the website through your institution to access the application. Select Log In at the top right of this page and log in using your campus single sign-on.
Questions? Contact JBR Memorial Staff Scholarship Committee Chair Penny Smith at pennys@ncat.edu. For technical issues, contact Staff Assembly Technology Officer Charles Hall at charles_hall@ncsu.edu.
Recipients
2025 scholarship recipients
Congratulations to the 2025 recipients, representing all 17 UNC System institutions.
- Justin CarverAppalachian State University
- Brett ErwinEast Carolina University
- Danny Clipper IIIElizabeth City State University
- SeQuenna Townsend-PennixFayetteville State University
- Cameron RobinsonNorth Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
- Asia SmithNorth Carolina A&T State University
- Ariel GermainNorth Carolina Central University
- Michael MooreNC State University
- Leslie RosenbergUNC Asheville
- Kamora VarnerUNC Charlotte
- Nicole MerrittUNC Greensboro
- Jessica LocklearUNC Pembroke
- Nick GawlikUNC School of the Arts
- Frederick HoldingUNC Wilmington
- Charlene Marie SantosUNC-Chapel Hill
- Melissa DayWestern Carolina University
- Ashley DugginsWinston-Salem State University
Support the fund
Help staff keep growing
Contributions to this established scholarship fund help the Staff Assembly continue to award funds to deserving staff across the UNC System. The annual Chancellors’ Cup golf tournament also supports the fund, raising $65,810 before expenses in 2026.