What program or major did you pursue at NCTC, and what inspired that choice?

I completed my Associate of Arts in General Studies with honors while attending NCTC. I was a student at Gainesville High School while completing this degree, and I was inspired by my school administration's encouragement to take dual-credit courses to challenge myself academically.

What drew you to NCTC originally?

As a Gainesville native who took on the responsibility of paying for my own higher education, I was drawn to NCTC as an affordable and accessible pathway to earn college credits in high school and alleviate the financial burden of paying tuition at a four-year university.

Can you describe a class, project, or professor at NCTC that had a lasting impact on you?

Amanda Vingren was the professor with the most significant impact on my life. She taught Composition I and II in person at GHS, and she was the professor who cared about me enough to critically coach me through all of my writing assignments. Because of her high standards, I was prepared for the rigor of collegiate-level writing, which served me well as I completed three additional degrees. Now, my job relies on my technical writing ability, and I would certainly not be at this level without her mentorship.

Where has your career path taken you since graduating from NCTC?

Since graduating from NCTC, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health as well as a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from Texas A&M University. I also completed my Doctor of Health Sciences degree from Liberty University. This education allowed me to build a career supporting various nonprofit healthcare facilities as an emergency responder, researcher, grant writer, and epidemiologist. I am so proud to currently have a role as an administrative coordinator for rural hospitals, including North Texas Medical Center in my hometown of Gainesville.

How did your time at NCTC prepare you for your current role or next steps in education?

My time at NCTC not only prepared me academically to comfortably step into a larger university setting, but it also taught me soft skills like critical thinking, troubleshooting technical difficulties, and professional communication. More importantly, taking classes at a community college gave me the opportunity to prepare financially to pursue additional education without accruing debt.

What’s one professional accomplishment you're especially proud of?

While attending Texas A&M University as an undergraduate student, I was appointed by Governor Abbott to serve as the Student Regent for the 11 universities under the Texas A&M University System. There, I had the opportunity to freeze tuition system-wide and develop affordable educational pathways and resources for over 150,000 students. I'm especially proud that I was able to use my perspective as a financially-independent student from rural Texas to support other students walking in my shoes. NCTC gave me the experience and perspective to do so.

Were you involved in any student organizations, clubs, or activities while at NCTC? How did that shape your experience?

At NCTC, I was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the Honors program. Although I was a bit removed from typical campus life as a dual-credit student, these organizations were my introduction to academic research that led to career reliant on data analytics, technical writing, and research presentation. Professor Jill Swarner was instrumental in teaching me the fundamentals of research, so I am incredibly grateful for her mentorship.

What advice would you give to current or incoming NCTC students?

My advice for students is to invest your time wisely. There are professors, businesses, community residents, and other students who are willing to share invaluable experiences and knowledge with you; however, it is up to you to make your time at NCTC worthwhile. Be open-minded to the idea that your most impactful lessons may not be found in a textbook. Rather, you will learn more by developing relationships and serving in the community, and I encourage all NCTC students to prioritize those opportunities.

What does being an NCTC alum mean to you?

Being an NCTC alum is a part of my identity that I wear proudly because it was the first major milestone where I proved to myself what I was capable academically. I love that community college is part of my academic resume because it opens the door for conversations about fiscal responsibility and taking steps forward even in the midst of career uncertainty. I would also strongly encourage high-achieving high school students to consider dual-credit as a pathway to enrich your education and prepare you for life after graduation.