North Carolina's community colleges are creating success for students across the state.
When I began my journey at James Sprunt Community College, it was to earn an accounting diploma to make myself more marketable, but it became so much more. During the summer of 2017, I registered for an accounting diploma, something I could complete in one year.
My decision to attend Western Piedmont Community College was based on proximity, cost, and uncertainty in terms of career path.
My experience with college was unconventional from registration for my first semester. For one thing, that registration period happened during the summer before my junior year of high school.
My success story began in 2015. I was a single mother, working a fast food job and I saw no future in what I was doing. I found out that I was pregnant in April of 2015, and I was forced into quitting my job for health reasons. During my pregnancy, I decided that I wanted to go back to school.
As part of the Career & College Promise program at Beaufort County Community College, Nicole Obando was able to get a head start on her college education during her last two years of high school.
In May, 2019 Academic Excellence Award recipient at Bladen Community College, Katie Pontak, earned an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and a high school diploma all at once.
Way back in the 90’s, after I graduated from high school, I went to college the first time. I was an “okay” student. I participated in class and turned in my assignments on time, mostly. I made good grades, but I never really succeeded because I was young, naïve, and socially dumb.
The idea of attending a college had always been the forefront goal as my senior year of high school ended. Due to me being a new student and a new North Carolina resident, the search for a college began. The decision on where to go was not easy for me.
I have grown up and lived in Sanford, NC my whole life. After graduating from high school in 2011, I was not sure where I would end up in the career field.
I was looking for an educational challenge and wasn’t sure if I wanted to attend a community college. However, my opinion changed once I started attending Central Piedmont.
My path to higher education is very different from what I planned. Partway through my senior year of high school, I had to face the reality that I could not afford to go to a four-year university.
My success story begins when I applied for the RIBN program through North Carolina A&T University and Davidson County Community College. This program set me on a path for success as long as I worked with a determined attitude, compassionate heart, and never gave up.
Receiving the Academic Excellence Award feels a bit surreal. I cannot help but think about how the student I used to be ten years ago is the polar opposite of who I am today.
I currently reside in Tarboro, North Carolina. I have attended Edgecombe Community College (ECC) for almost two-years. I have worked diligently to earn and maintain a 3.8 GPA, and I am proud of my efforts. While attending ECC, I have met some awesome students and instructors.
Many people think that they need to go to a university to get a quality education. I can personally tell you that is not the case. Since I work full time and provide for a family of seven, Community College was my only choice.
Over the years, I have had many goals and aspirations, one of them being to succeed throughout my time here at Guilford Community College. I decided to attend GTCC for a variety of reasons and couldn’t be happier with my choice.
Halifax Community College allowed me to explore a career that many people don't know about, the lab. The medical field has so many avenues to pursue but the technical skills involved in being a Medical Laboratory Technician lured me in to explore more about it.
I have wanted to be a Medical Laboratory Technician since the first day working in the Laboratory as a Phlebotomist in Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center.
The decision to alter one’s path is never an easy one. However, at the age of 41, I made that decision and applies to the school of nursing at Haywood Community College. Throughout my academic journey at HCC, I have been presented with many challenges.
When I started college, I was fresh out of high school, with little direction as to what I wanted to accomplish in life. I knew I needed guidance and support but had no idea where to find these things.