Made in Durham’s Youth Engagement Division selects Durham Tech as 2026 Impact Award recipient

At their recent Community Appreciation Breakfast, the Youth Engagement Division of Made in Durham selected Durham Tech as the 2026 Impact Award Recipient.  

“We are truly grateful. It’s always wonderful to receive recognition,” said Telicia Hunter, Life Sciences program director. “We believe that Made in Durham also deserves an award for the significant support they have offered to our BULLS students.”

Established in 2014, Made in Durham is a nonprofit community organization built to strengthen Durham’s education-to-career system. It aligns people, programs and resources so young people are not left to navigate critical transitions alone.

“During this time at Durham Tech, we were working diligently on redesigning the curriculum for the Biotechnology Biomanufacturing continuing education program,” Hunter said. “We purposefully made it hands-on and industry-specific so upon completion of the program, learners were ready to go to work.”

The team at Durham Tech partnered with Made in Durham to train students on what Life Sciences is, how the BioWork certificate benefits students, and inform them of the many career opportunities.

In 2021, Made in Durham collaborated with Durham Tech to train and educate young people in the Life Sciences industry and launched the BULLS Academy concept. Funded by Durham County and the Build Back Better grant, the program is open to Durham County residents who are 18 to 25 years old, from a historically excluded background, with a high school diploma or a high school equivalent.

Durham Tech was an ideal partner for this collaboration. In April 2022, the BULLS Life Sciences Academy piloted and enabled prospective students to participate in Durham Tech’s Biotechnology Biomanufacturing continuing education program (BioWork) at no cost. Participants also receive a $10,000 academic and life expenses stipend, reducing barriers and allowing them to concentrate on successfully completing the program and ultimately pursuing careers in the Life Sciences industry.  

“We showed Made in Durham how we can support students academically while they help with community awareness and recruitment,” Hunter said. “We combined our resources at Durham Tech, such as tutoring, career development, loaner laptops, and food pantry, with Made in Durham’s community connections. This partnership makes wraparound services stronger for our students.”

Through BULLS, Durham’s young people are prepared for careers and economic mobility while a talent pipeline is built to help regional companies compete and grow.

“BULLS learners receive support from success coaches at both the College and Made in Durham,” Hunter said. “The partnership has grown, and now Made in Durham focuses on support and community awareness while we train the skills that prepare our graduates for a role that saves, changes and improves lives.”