Success Stories

North Carolina's community colleges are creating success for students across the state.

Melody Chandler, Haywood Community College, Excellence Award 2013

Winston Churchill described tenacity by saying, “Success is the ability to move from failure to failure without losing momentum” (Bureau).  Though I have always had tenacity, it has not always been of an academic nature.

Diana Gonzalez, Piedmont Community College, Excellence Award 2013

Moving to the United States from Mexico at the age of two, Diana Gonzalez knew first-hand the communication difficulties her family had while she was growing up. “I usually had to translate for my mother whenever she would have appointments,” Diana recalls.

Blake Herring, Pitt Community College, Excellence Award 2013

Choosing a college can be one of the toughest decisions a high school senior has to make, and that certainly was the case for me.

Rebecca Pulido, Randolph Community College, Excellence Award 2013

My greatest achievements are becoming a wife, dedicated mother of three young boys, and a college student. In 2007, I graduated from Guilford Technical Community College with Honors, was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, and received my AAS in Culinary Arts.

John Gibson, Roanoke-Chowan Community College, Excellence Award 2013

I was employed at International Paper in Franklin, VA for 25 years. When the paper mill closed in 2010, I was faced with many decisions about my future. It did not take very long for me to realize that my best option was to return to school.

Tim Franklin, Richmond Community College, Excellence Award 2013

My path to Richmond Community College has been interesting and the timing could not have been better.  I am a Florida State graduate with a Bachelors Degree in Criminology; not knowing exactly what to do with my degree I moved home from school and went to work for my uncle in the electrical busin

Madison Batten, Robeson Community College, Excellence Award 2013

I really appreciate the opportunity Robeson Community College has given me to pursue my dream career as a radiographer. This field allows me to feel that I make a positive contribution to our society by providing excellent patient care in the clinical setting.

Jessica Baron, Rockingham Community College, Excellence Award 2013

My experience at Rockingham Community College began in the fall of 2009 when I was accepted into the second class of Rockingham Early College High School.  Currently, I have completed 33 credit hours at RCC and have become more mature as a college student with each semester. 

Douglas John Gold, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, Excellence Award 2013

Please let me start off by saying how truly surprised and honored I am for being considered for the Student Excellence Award at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC).

Daniel Clark, Forsyth Community College, Excellence Award 2013

After High School I went to college for one semester before deciding to join the ARMY.  I completed my obligation and when I returned home I started working and put school out of my mind.  I was hired as a police officer and with the schedule of a police officer I felt like completing school was

Amber Pegram, Pamlico Community College, Excellence Award 2013

Deciding whether or not to attend a four year university or community college was a difficult decision for me. During my senior year I was given the opportunity to take classes through Pamlico Community College. With the rising cost of college, I knew community college would be my best option.

LaShonda Caine, Nash Community College, Excellence Award 2013

A stay-at-home mom for many years, I returned to school for a decent paying job and to take some of the burden off my husband. With four of seven children living at home, and grandchildren, I needed to return to the workforce.

Rachelle West, Isothermal Community College, Excellence Award 2013

My name is Rachelle West. Along with being a full time student, I am a wife and mother. My husband and our five children are supportive of my decision to go back to school.

Daniel Derry, James Sprunt Community College, Excellence Award 2013

I chose James Sprunt Community College because I was told they had a really good welding program and VA representative. As a veteran that was important to me. I was in the marines for four years and did two deployments overseas.

Austin Scott, Johnston Community College, Excellence Award 2013

After graduation from NCSU in 2001, I worked in a flourishing housing economy as a draftsman until the recession of 2008. As the recession progressed, I was faced with a stagnant career in a failing housing market.

Michelle Griffin, Lenoir Community College, Excellence Award 2013

Eighteen years after earning a Bachelor’s degree in education, I decided to embark upon a new career in healthcare. It was a big decision to leave the teaching profession and a steady paycheck to return to school full-time.  

Carley Williams, Martin Community College, Excellence Award 2013

I never could have imagined graduating from high school early or attending college at the age of sixteen. I was home schooled throughout most of my elementary education and also throughout high school. Home schooling gave me the opportunity to work ahead.

Lisa Elliott Shelton, McDowell Technical Community College, Excellence Award 2013

In 1980, while finishing a class in Early Childhood Development at McDowell High School, my heart’s desire and future goal was to somehow continue my education, and return the love and respect that had promoted the positive growth that I had experienced in my life.  Mt instructors offered motivat

Darin Aldridge, Mitchell Community College, Excellence Award 2013

My success story at Mitchell Community College (MCC) began after a decade-long hiatus from learning.

Sheila Menendez, Montgomery Community College, Excellence Award 2013

Growing up, I was always fascinated with horses. This fascination led to my decision to chase my lifelong dream of working with children and horses. To be able to do what I love, and get paid for it, an education is the single most important step to take.

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