As enrollment continues to grow in the BioWork program housed at Vance-Granville Community College’s Franklin Campus, Novonesis, a global leader in biosolutions, is helping ensure that students have the opportunity to pursue their education without financial barriers.
In North Carolina, Novonesis helped establish the BioWork program more than two decades ago alongside the North Carolina Biotechnology Center and community colleges, creating a certificate pathway into process technician careers. Recently, Novonesis has provided $5,000 to The VGCC Foundation to establish scholarships for students enrolled in the BioWork program. The scholarships will help cover the cost of tuition and books, providing meaningful support to students preparing for careers in this growing field.
“Novonesis is pleased to support VGCC students who are preparing to enter the growing BioWork and biotechnology workforce,” said Darren Alfano, Head of P&O at Novonesis North America. “These students represent the future of our industry, and we believe investing in their education today helps create a stronger workforce and a stronger community tomorrow. We are proud to partner with VGCC to help students gain the education and skills they need to succeed.”
The BioWork program prepares students with the knowledge and skills needed to enter the biotechnology workforce, an industry that continues to create new opportunities.
“On behalf of The VGCC Foundation and our students, we extend our sincere appreciation to Novonesis for this generous investment,” said Tanya Weary, Executive Director of The VGCC Foundation. “When industry partners invest directly in our students, they are doing more than providing financial assistance; they are helping remove barriers, open doors, and prepare the workforce our region needs. We are incredibly grateful for Novonesis’ commitment to supporting students pursuing careers in this exciting and growing field.”
Stewart Lyon, program head/professor of Biotechnology at VGCC, noted, “The scholarship investment comes at an important time as interest and enrollment in BioWork continues to increase. By helping students with the costs of tuition and books, Novonesis is helping make these educational opportunities more accessible while strengthening the connection between higher education and regional workforce needs.”
“Partnerships like this demonstrate what is possible when education and industry work together,” Weary added.
To learn more about Biotechnology at Vance-Granville Community College, contact [email protected]. For additional information, contact The VGCC Foundation at [email protected] or (252) 738-3264.
![BioWork [NC] logo](https://www.vgcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/BioWork_Horizontal_500x300.png)
About Novonesis
Novonesis is a global biosolutions company leading the era of biosolutions. By leveraging the power of microbiology with science, Novonesis transforms the way the world produces, consumes, and lives. Across more than 30 industries, Novonesis biosolutions are already creating value for thousands of customers while benefiting the planet.
With more than 11,000 employees worldwide, Novonesis partners with businesses and communities to better our world with biology. The company’s North American headquarters is located in Franklinton, North Carolina.
