SVI Trailblazer Wins Historic NC State Scholarship Founded by Microsoft VP
By Maureen Martin | July 1, 2026 | Diva Approved
There is nothing more beautiful than seeing successful women reach back to pull up the next generation. At DivaGalsDaily, we are absolutely thrilled to celebrate a historic moment of sisterhood, education, and philanthropy, bridging the U.S. Virgin Islands to North Carolina State University.
Adaina Smith of St. Croix has officially been named the inaugural recipient of the transformative Rashida A. Hodge Scholarship. As the largest award in the history of the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI), this life-changing scholarship removes immense financial barriers. It provides full tuition, fees, housing, and critical mentorship for up to four years at NC State. Adaina, a brilliant aspiring attorney, will head to Raleigh to pursue a business administration degree on a pre-law track. “This opportunity motivates me to grow into a leader who not only succeeds, but also gives back and opens doors for others,” Adaina shared.
The visionary force behind this incredible $1 million endowment is St. Thomas native Rashida Hodge, an esteemed NC State alumna and currently the Corporate Vice President of Cloud and AI Platforms at Microsoft. Rashida established this game-changing fund in honor of her grandmother, Ioline Hodge, to ensure future USVI public school students can access the same debt-free educational path that launched her own stellar career.
“Scholarships changed the trajectory of my life,” Rashida beautifully reflects. “I came to NC State because others invested in me… This scholarship is my way of paying that gift forward.” Her ultimate hope is to spark a lasting tradition of Virgin Islands excellence on the Raleigh campus, transforming families for generations.
We congratulate Adaina as she joins the Wolfpack this fall, and we applaud Rashida for showing us that the ultimate form of success is building a powerful legacy for others to climb.
photo credit: CFVI
