SALISBURY — Rowan Crosby Scholars has welcomed two new staff members to its team.

Denise Sheppard has been hired as an administrative assistant and will serve as the first point of contact for most students and families in Rowan County. Sheppard is from Salisbury, where she lives with her family. Her hobbies include singing, sewing and swimming.

Sarah Featherstone is the new senior program coordinator. She will assist high school seniors who are enrolled Crosby Scholars through the college admission process. Featherstone is from Charlotte and graduated from Wingate University. She lives in Richfield with her family and farm full of animals. She enjoys horseback riding and spending time on the lake.

Crosby Scholars is a nonprofit college access program for students in grades six through 12 enrolled in the Rowan-Salisbury Schools. The program assists students in public middle and high schools in preparing academically, personally and financially for college admission.

Students make a drug-free pledge and commit to community service and strong academics.

The online application is open each year to all Rowan-Salisbury students in grades six through 10 through Oct. 1. All students who apply are automatically accepted into the program.

For more information about Crosby Scholars, call 704-762-3512 or visit the website at www.crosbyscholarsrowan.org.