SKYCTC Student Kaylee Purlee Receives Chime Workforce Scholarship
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC) student Kaylee Purlee, has been named a 2026 Chime Workforce Scholar. Purlee is among 200 students nationwide recognized for academic achievement and commitment to career-focused education.
Funded by the Chime Scholars Foundation and administered by the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation, the Chime Workforce Scholarship provides each scholar with $1,000 to help cover educational expenses while completing a certificate or associate degree that prepares them for a high-demand career.
“At the Chime Scholars Foundation, we believe that career and technical education opens doors to financial progress and long-term opportunity,” said Jeni Izuel, president of the Chime Scholars Foundation. “We’re proud to support students who are working hard to gain in-demand skills and build better futures for themselves and their families.”
Purlee is pursuing a career in culinary arts. After graduating from SKYCTC on May 11, 2026, with an associate in arts degree in business and management, Purlee returned to the college to pursue a degree in hospitality management and tourism.
“My dream is to own a restaurant or café,” Purlee said. “Through my culinary path, I had the opportunity to attend a food show in Nashville, Tennessee, where I was able to cook alongside other chefs and business professionals.”
Purlee plans to use the Chime Workforce Scholarship to help pay for educational expenses and remain focused on completing the program.
“This scholarship will help me focus on my studies so that I can one day own my own business,” Purlee said.
“We are thrilled to launch this new program and award hardworking students with Chime Workforce Scholarships,” said Amanda Karpinski Gorman, executive director of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation. “These scholarships support students pursuing career and technical education at two-year colleges, and we look forward to seeing all they go on to accomplish.”
The Chime Workforce Scholarship supports students preparing for careers that strengthen their communities and local economies. By helping students complete their education and earn workforce credentials, the program helps create a stronger pipeline of skilled workers in fields where they are needed most.
About Chime Scholars Foundation
Chime (Nasdaq: CHYM) is a financial technology company founded on the premise that core banking services should be helpful, easy and free. Chime offers a broad range of low-cost banking, payments, lending and investing products that address the most critical financial needs of everyday people. Its member-aligned business model has helped millions of people unlock financial progress™.
Funds in Chime deposit accounts are FDIC-insured through The Bancorp Bank, N.A., or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, up to applicable limits.*
*Chime is not FDIC-insured. The Bancorp Bank, N.A., and Stride Bank, N.A., are the FDIC-insured members. Deposit insurance covers the failure of an insured bank. Certain conditions must be satisfied for pass-through deposit insurance coverage to apply. The FDIC deposit insurance limit is $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, per ownership category.
About Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa is the first honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them grow as scholars and leaders. The Society has more than 4.4 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 220,000 active members at the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.
