Marco Leonardo Chumbimuni

As the first college graduate in his family, Marco Leonardo Chumbimuni knows the importance of his accomplishment. Not just for himself, but also for his younger brother and his relatives in his parents’ native country.

“I’m representing what perseverance, what courage and what challenging yourself will get you to,” he said. “Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute taught me that. You see the diversity of people, the mentality of people from different backgrounds. It makes you know that you’re representing something that could help others.”

Chumbimuni, the son of Peruvian immigrants and a life-long resident of Lenoir, N.C., will graduate with honors in May from the Caldwell Early College High School and with Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees from Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. His next step is to study pre-med and psychology. He eventually hopes to attend medical school.

During his time at CCC&TI, he has worked as a tutor, was an officer in the Science Club, a member of the National Society of Leadership & Success, and served on the Student Government Association. He’s also an Eagle Scout and a member of the Beta Club.