On Oct. 28, 2025 the Mu Omicron chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, NC State’s first Black Greek-letter sorority, celebrated its 50th year on campus. 

The occasion was something Casey Adams Jones; LaTricia Frederick, Ed.D., MBA; Tamara Grisard; Faith Leach and Keyana Scales, Ed.D. had been planning for since the sorority’s 45th anniversary.

Five years ago, these five alumnae came together to create the Financial Fortitude Scholarship to honor the legacy of the Mu Omicron and to invest in future students. Their goal was to raise $50,000 by the 50th anniversary.

They not only met that goal but exceeded it, thanks to additional gifts from alumni and friends. Two seniors in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences received the inaugural endowed Financial Fortitude Scholarships this fall.

Luisa Cedeno Perez, a psychology major with a minor in nonprofit studies, and Mckaila McMillan, a criminology major, both plan to graduate in May, and the Financial Fortitude Scholarship is helping to smooth their paths. 

“It feels incredibly empowering to be one of the first recipients of this scholarship, as a first-generation college student and immigrant. This scholarship makes me feel seen, valued and proud of what I have accomplished during my time at NC State,” Cedeno Perez said.

Cedeno Perez noted she is a self-supporting student. This scholarship, in addition to the J. Cheng Scholarship she receives from CHASS, allows her to dedicate more time to graduate school applications, volunteering and being present in her senior year.

“I want to sincerely thank the donors for their generosity. Your support also represents emotional encouragement and belief in students like me. Learning about your stories and your passion for giving back to NC State is truly inspiring. In the future, I hope to do the same as a proud member of the Wolfpack alumni community!” she said.

McMillan is also self-supporting, financing her education with a combination of loans, a job as a receptionist and scholarships, including the CHASS Impact Scholars award. 

“I want the donors to know that I am immensely grateful,” said McMillan. “My biggest goal is to graduate with as little debt as possible and this further helps me to achieve my goal, so I will always be thankful for the help I received.”

The Financial Fortitude Scholarship helps her focus more on her schooling and on her professional development. The additional support means she can spend more time at an unpaid internship as a probation and parole officer in Chatham County.

“It feels really good to be considered worthy of this scholarship,” McMillan added.

Both Cedeno Perez and McMillan embody the spirit in which the Financial Fortitude Scholarship was founded. They are committed to leveraging their education to help others and give back to their communities, exactly what the scholarship founders hoped for. 

“I’m filled with gratitude — for my sorority sisters, for our alma mater and for the enduring legacy of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.,” Frederick said. “My hope is that this scholarship continues to open doors, nurture leaders, and remind every recipient that they are part of a community built on purpose and power.”

The impact of the Financial Fortitude Scholarship is a powerful reminder for these alumnae that giving goes far beyond a financial transaction.

“At NC State, we Think and Do the Extraordinary, period. If you ‘think’ you want to get reconnected to the university, find your ‘do,’” Adams Jones said.

“It could be contributing a financial gift to an area of the university you’re passionate about or helping fill an unmet need, like donating food to Feed the Pack or speaking to a class. Chancellor [Kevin] Howell has a bold vision that requires each of us to take action.”

Full Circle and Full of Pack Pride

During Red and White Week, the alumnae had a chance to connect with one another and fellow members of the Mu Omicron chapter of Delta Sigma Theta to celebrate the anniversary and their collective impact. They also took time to answer some questions about this milestone with the Financial Fortitude Scholarship.

Has creating this scholarship impacted how connected you feel to NC State over the last five years, and if so, how? 

LaTricia Frederick ’99, Global Head of Executive Talent Management at Cisco Systems Inc., Alexandria, Virginia: Creating this scholarship has reawakened my sense of pride and purpose as an NC State alumna. It has reconnected me not only to the university but to the legacy of the Mu Omicron chapter — reminding me that our collective impact extends far beyond campus. Seeing the tangible results of our sisterhood’s vision makes NC State feel like home all over again.

Keyana Scales ’00, Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success at Howard University, Washington, D.C.: This is actually a full-circle moment. I began my professional career at NC State in the admissions office. Because of this experience, I’ve always understood how finances can impact students’ ability to take advantage of all this great university has to offer. While my professional journey has since taken me away from North Carolina, assisting with the development of Financial Fortitude allows me to thank NC State for the role it played in shaping my career foundation, while also contributing to the success of other students in a way that aligns with my professional passion. 

Tamara Grisard ’03, Head of Global Regulatory and Product Compliance at IDEXX, Winston- Salem: Creating this scholarship has helped me reconnect with NC State in a meaningful way. Knowing that this scholarship will support a deserving student having an easier transition into college reminds me of my experiences at NC State and how important support and community are to your success. It has motivated me to reengage with other aspects of alumni life and I’ve since attended various events that I otherwise may not have. 

Faith Leach ’05, City Administrator, City of Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland:  The Financial Fortitude Scholarship has become much more than just a financial contribution to my alma mater — it’s a personal bridge that keeps me tied to the university and to the spirit that shaped such an important chapter of my life. Knowing that I can help open doors for first-generation college students, just as others once did for me, fills me with an incredible sense of pride. NC State will always be home and creating this scholarship has only deepened my bond with the university and cemented a legacy I hope lasts for generations.

Casey Adams Jones ’07, Chief of Staff, Global Corporate Affairs, Kenvue, Morrisville: Establishing the Financial Fortitude Scholarship gave me a tangible way to pour back into the NC State community that helped shape me. Through this collaboration, I’ve joined the DASA Board for Student Success, expanded my giving capacity and built new relationships with campus leaders, TRiO staff and other alumni who share a passion for student success and educational equity. It’s strengthened my sense of belonging to the Wolfpack family in a lasting way. I feel deeply connected to the university and proud to help drive meaningful impact.

How does it feel knowing that the scholarship has been awarded for the first time and seeing the impact of your support in action?

Frederick: It’s incredibly fulfilling. To know that a student’s journey is being shaped by the seeds we planted years ago brings everything full circle. It’s proof that the values we learned through Delta Sigma Theta SororityInc. and the Mu Omicron chapter specifically — sisterhood, scholarship and service — are alive and well. Seeing our support in action feels like watching the next generation rise on the foundation we helped build.

Scales: It means everything! Given challenges within higher education, particularly those around rising costs of education and the ability of students to afford quality educational experiences, I am excited that we are able to do our part in addressing this significant challenge. I was able to connect with one of our recipients and the conversation underscores how much of an impact we are having. It makes me exceedingly Pack proud!

Grisard: It created a strong sense of pride and accomplishment. One of the values of Delta Sigma Theta is scholarship, so to be able to fulfill that value in a tangible way is amazing. I look forward to following the progress of those we are able to support as they use this scholarship as a small stepping stone in their path to success. 

Leach: It’s a proud moment for everyone involved. Knowing the impact this scholarship will have — how it uplifts a student and contributes to a larger vision of opportunity and empowerment — really brings home the importance of giving back.

Adams Jones: I feel a great sense of pride and gratitude. Proud of what my sorority sisters and I established that reflects our sorority (and personal) values on multiple fronts. Gratitude for every donor who believed in our vision and supported it. What started as an idea to fuel the desire to increase our university engagement has become an opportunity for two deserving students to thrive. It’s proof that when we invest in others, we multiply possibility.

Your generosity has inspired many other donors to join you on Day of Giving and throughout the year. Can you speak to the community effort this scholarship has been?

Frederick: This scholarship has been a masterclass in collective impact. What began as an idea shared among sisters has grown into a movement fueled by our shared love for service and legacy. Each contribution — no matter the size — represents faith in the power of community and a commitment to lift as we climb. It’s the embodiment of Delta women doing what we’ve always done best: leading from the front.

Scales: “I am because you are. You are because I am.” This is one of the first lessons instilled in me upon arriving at NC State in the mid ‘90s. Seeing others contribute to the scholarship fund is an example of how community creates power. I am excited every time I learn of how fellow alums, particularly within Mu Omicron,  are leaning into this effort and I look forward to seeing how we can continue our impact on the NC State student population.

Grisard: I was blown away by the support we’ve received from our Mu Omicron sorors. We shared information about the endowment in our sorority text group with a request for donations, and the ladies showed up for us in a big way. We also had other members of the NC State Greek life community show their support, which means a great deal. 

Leach: The outpouring of support for the scholarship has been incredible. Many alumni — especially Black alumni — are eager to give back but sometimes face barriers or uncertainty about where to start. The Financial Fortitude Scholarship has made giving simple, accessible and impactful, opening the door for more people to invest in future generations of students at NC State.

Adams Jones: This endowment is collaborative philanthropy personified. It grew from five sisters uniting around a shared purpose to a broader community of donors who saw themselves in our “why.” Each contribution — big or small, from first time to major gift donors — reflects a collective belief in equity, opportunity and the next generation of leaders.

Is there anything you’d like to share about your experience with collaborative philanthropy and creating this scholarship together?

Frederick: Collaborative philanthropy reminds me that leadership is never a solo act. Working with my sorority sisters to bring this vision to life was energizing — it blended our talents, resources and shared values into something ever-lasting. It reaffirmed that when Black women of a shared purpose come together with intention, our impact is exponential.

Scales:. We share the experience of being in the same sorority that emphasizes fiscal health and sisterhood. Beyond that, I am grateful for the opportunity to partner with these particular women, especially Soror Adams Jones who served as the idea-curator of this initiative and worked to ensure that the connection between the five of us remained strong.

Grisard: It’s not easy coordinating something like this when we all have demanding jobs and live in different cities. It takes a real effort and dedication to take something like this from an idea and turn it into a reality. Embarking on a journey like this can be intimidating, but you have to make the commitment and stick to it. I’m thankful for this group of women who helped me stay committed to get us to this stage where we now have a fully funded endowment that will only continue to grow. 

Leach: Working together to establish this scholarship showed the power of our sisterhood in action. Delta Sigma Theta is built on the principles of scholarship, sisterhood and service, and this scholarship is a testament to those principles and our personal values.

Adams Jones: This collaborative philanthropy experience allowed us to reach our goal faster than we could alone and elevated awareness of our sorority’s legacy — highlighting our values, our commitment to service and the type of remarkable women our chapter produces. It’s proof that meaningful giving starts with shared trust and purpose, not always a million-dollar check. I’m so proud to have built this with four of my sisters.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Mu Omicron chapter of Delta Sigma Theta at NC State. What does it mean to be together for that anniversary?

Frederick: It’s an honor and a privilege to have been initiated through the Mu Omicron chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Fifty years ago, our sorors were the first to establish a Black sorority on campus, leaving a legacy of fortitude, excellence and impact for a community that was largely invisible among their peers that continues on today. Being together with our charter members, our fellow NC State and Delta alumnae, as well as our linesisters meant everything. We reminisced, we laughed, we traced our steps on campus and we celebrated our contributions to the university as much as we celebrated our lives since we graduated from this esteemed institution. Mu Omicron represents generations of brilliant, trailblazing women who’ve embodied excellence in sisterhood, scholarship and service. To stand in that lineage — and celebrate it together — is deeply humbling. It’s a reminder that we are the continuation of a story far greater than ourselves, one that will keep shaping lives for decades to come.

Scales: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., particularly the Mu Omicron chapter, has afforded countless opportunities for personal and professional growth. I owe a debt of gratitude to the founders and other members of this incredible chapter for creating and sustaining an organization that is warm, welcoming and inspiring. The ability to celebrate that sisterhood and, at the same time, award our first scholarships was a very proud moment that will remain with me for many years to come.

Grisard: Sisterhood and the support from the amazing women that I have met through becoming a member of Delta Sigma Theta has helped me countless times in the almost 25 years I’ve had the honor of being a member. Being able to all come together to celebrate this grand accomplishment has been priceless. 

Adams Jones: It was pure, unforgettable joy. We shared countless laughs and hugs, reflected on our legacy, celebrated a myriad of accomplishments, honored our trailblazers and remembered our sisters who are no longer earthside. There was an immense amount of love and gratitude for our 10 charter members whose vision and courage in 1975 paved the way and built a legacy that endures. So many sorors who remembered the announcement of our plan to raise $50,000 by our chapter’s 50th anniversary were thrilled to know we exceeded the goal and have two brilliant scholars receiving the financial support they need.