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.

Being diagnosed with asthma and anxiety disorder cut short the military career of Marian Corp Veteran Joshua G.

In August of 1998, I enrolled into my first year of college. This was exciting to me because I became the first of my mother's children to enroll into college. Unfortunately, I decided to discontinue my pursuit of a degree when I became pregnant.

Making the decision to attend early college program at Southeastern Community College gave Austin Todd the best opportunity to achieve the long-term goals he had set for himself.  Transferring to the main campus while still a junior in high school he began working on a two-year associates degree

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.

It is an honor to be Montgomery Community College's nominee for the NCCCS Academic Excellence award. I owe a lot of my success to MCC, so it is great to represent my school.

Native Filipino, a British citizen, and a U.S. permanent resident Irene Bantigue moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina in October of 2014.  The relocation with her family was not easy as they faced heavy relocation expenses and were surviving on one income.  Irene did not think she would be able to afford a college education until she called Forsyth Technical Community College.

I knew it was time for a new chapter in the story of my life.  A position became available at Sampson Community College in the Continuing Education Division and after much prayer and seeking direction and guidance, I knew that’s where God was leading me.  I am a true believer that actions speak l

Failure was never an option for Raydeijah Morning.  Struggling to select whether to go to a university or a community college Morning decided to enroll at Pamlico Community College.  Morning states that attending Pamlico CC has left her with no regrets and the staff is amazing.  Working two part-

I quickly discovered that Roanoke-Chowan Community College was like another family. The one aspect I enjoy the most about being a student at R-CCC is the closeness that is encouraged between individuals on all levels. I also appreciate that the faculty and staff will listen to my ideas.

In August of 2015, I enrolled in the Career & College Promise program at Western Piedmont Community College. When I look back now, I realize the amount of growth from then to now. Deciding to enroll at WPCC has allowed me to excel in numerous ways.

In May, I will graduate from College of The Albemarle with three Associate degrees and 101 college credits, a week before I graduate high school (J.P. Knapp Early College).

Laura Caitlin Ritchie finally discovered that her true calling was nursing.  Having to balance work, school, finances, family and life in general, Ritchie saw how affordable Carteret Community College was and the scholarships and financial aid offered through the financial aid department.  The fa

I began my journey to Wilson Community College to acquire a degree in Accounting. I was a nurse for approximately sixteen years and worked diligently at doing so. Due to battling cancer for the last thirty-one years, my immune system would no longer allow me to work in this field.

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

In 2012 Ahn Nguyen immigrated from her native Vietnam to America to be with her husband and to make a better life for herself and their children.   After her husband's disability changed their plans she decided to work and studied English for three years.  During this time she found an educationa

"I don’t know yet. I just want to help people!" I told the career coach instead of admitting that I had always wanted to be a family physician. That childhood dream seemed unreachable.

Paul Caroline, a senior at Franklin County Early College High, attends VGCC in a dual-enrollment program. The support from faculty at the high school and college has been transformative, and he has found that learning not only yields the power to better oneself, but the world as a whole.