Born on in Wilson County, and raised there on the family farm John "Bryant" Ballance has developed a passion for agriculture.  Working on the family farm throughout high school and being involved in Farmers of America Ballance decided to enroll at Wayne Community College and earn a degree in Agri

Having a hard upbringing Jennifer Liebelt knew that for her future she wanted to break the cycle of poverty and substance abuse.  In 2012, Liebelt made the decision to enroll at Cape Fear Community College to get her degree and make something of herself.  Just after being enrolled Jennifer was fa

Working with a computer system that controls two manufacturing plants was giving Anthony Kennedy the influence to return to school back in 2015.  Gaining roles that included IT management, he knew that he would have to improve his skills to be successful at the task his job required.  He was able

I walked into Blue Ridge Community College with a clear vision of what I wanted to achieve. What I didn’t expect was the level of encouragement and assistance I’d receive from the faculty.

A small vignette on the front of Piedmont Community College's student planners describing the Student Government Association caught the eye and interest of Cristian McLaughlin.  After e-mailing the advisor of the SGA and conversing back and forth McLaughlin jumped in the "deep end" and ran for SG

Before I was a student at Wake Tech, I was unable and unqualified to work in jobs that gave me the satisfaction of being a valuable team member to create something amazing.

A mother who raised her son alone, 2014 was going to be a challenging year for Debra Jean Cumbie.  In May of that year she lost her husband to cancer, and two weeks after his death she lost her job.  She realized that it was time for a change and she needed to chase her dreams of becoming a nurse

 I began to work at a minimum wage job straight out of high school, without any plans to continue my education, because that just wasn’t what people in my family did. The fact that I had even graduated High School was a bit of a miracle for us.

For Tammy Small Cox her biggest regret was not going to college.  She didn't think that it was possible to pursue her degree until she received a little encouragement.  That encouragement came from her daughter, and with a little research, Cox realized that her regret could finally become a reali

My experience with Rockingham Community College has helped me to be successful. I am a firm believer that if students feel comfortable in an institution, they are more likely to succeed. In my case, I feel a sense of “belonging” because the staff cares about me.

Sierra Tuttle made the decision two years ago that she wanted to change her life.  After seven year break from school, she decided to enroll at Catawba Valley Community College.  With huge support from her family and her fiance Jeremy, she was able to stay on track and continue her studies.  Tutt

"(Kirsten) is one of my advisees and is just an awesome young lady,” said Grey Lane, RCC’s division chair for Arts, Social Sciences & Public Services.

When thinking about the best thing for her future Jana Carver decided to enroll at Guilford Technical Community College.  Having never attended public or private school going to college terrified her since her prior education was taught at home.  Being homeschooled in an unstable home caused her

I moved to Cherokee County from Charlotte seven years ago. I was a single mother to three children under the age of ten: two daughters with Down’s Syndrome and a son barely leaving toddlerhood. At the time I had no friends or family to serve as my support system.

Working as a laboratory assistant was the starting point of Ric C.

Who would think that a dirty-faced 8-year-old child roaming the streets selling bleach would earn the Durham Tech Academic Excellence Award!?  At age 8, I was already working in my hometown of Tulua, Colombia, while going to school in the afternoon.

The experience at Martin Community College has changed Amanda Vicks in ways she never thought possible.  Bring a part of this institution has given her a pathway that she credits with allowing her to reach her goal of being an accountant.  Vicks is very active in MCC serving in the Student Govern

When I enrolled at James Sprunt Community College in the Fall of 2014 I began with one goal in mind.

After his 20-year retirement with the United States Navy, Chris L.

Shakyra Davis knows what she wanted and chased after it starting at the age of 13.  One of the hardest challenges she has faced was transitioning from middle school to Rutherford Early College.  She wanted the challenge and has learned how to balance high school classes, college classes, and part

I have begun to fulfill my career dreams here at Craven Community College in acquiring skills through the Physical Therapist Assistant Program.

All Daisha Jordan could think about her senior year of high school, was what college or university she was going to attend.   Campbell University offered Jordan admission and an academic scholarship and Jordan attended with hopes of being a part of the women's basketball team.  Unfortunately, Jor

Philomena De Piante's education started with two goals.  To receive her Associates in Arts degree then transfer to a four-year university.  She soon realized that Central Piedmont Community College had more to offer than just an excellent education.   For Philomena CPCC provided an environment of

In chemistry, there exists a concept titled potential energy. This concept is characterized by the accumulation of potential to exert a maximum amount of energy by a body due to its surrounding conditions.

Angel Andrade had a passion, and that passion was football.  His love for football didn't make Pitt Community College a top priority in his education plans after graduating high school.  Andrade, however, had come to a realization that completing his Associates in Arts, and transferring to a high

Everyone has a story and those stories have common themes; indeed, the human condition requires such. All humanity experiences love and hate; joy and consternation. Each and every soul shall encounter daunting obstacles in the pursuit of every endeavor.

Ecclesiastics 3 states there is “a time to every purpose under heaven”; yet, time stands still for no one. 

My time here at Central Carolina Community College has been nothing short of life changing. Like many adults or returning students, obtaining a college degree has been a lifelong desire of mine.

In March of 2013, Zachary Rhyner was a soldier in the military.   In this month things for Rhyner changed after being struck by an enemy bullet during an assault against enemy combatants in Afghanistan.  The wound left by the bullet was extensive, leaving a femur to be repaired, a severed sciatic

Aaron Humphrey thought that completing college was something that was impossible for him to achieve.  Struggling in areas such as math in high school Humphrey did not receive very high grades.  Instead of college Humphrey started working in fast food restaurants and worked himself up to managemen