Alumni Spotlight: Jennifer Shumate
Jennifer Shumate, President and CEO of the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce
Proud NCTC Alumni and member of the Class of 2021.
What program or major did you pursue at NCTC, and what inspired that choice?
My journey at NCTC was a little unique. I always knew I wanted to earn a degree, I just didn’t necessarily know exactly what I wanted it to be in at the time (which isn’t always the route I’d recommend!). I earned my Associate of Arts. If I’m being honest, I chose the AA because it required fewer math credits, and math and I have never been best friends. It also allowed for flexibility if I ever wanted to go further in my education.
What drew you to NCTC originally?
This one is simple - locationS (I meant for that S to be capital). Being from North Texas, having campuses right in our backyard, whether it was in Gainesville or Corinth (and obviously the many other locations), made NCTC the easy winner. A very close second was affordability. Being able to obtain a degree without taking on overwhelming debt made the decision easy.
Can you describe a class, project, or professor at NCTC that had a lasting impact on you?
Two classes immediately come to mind, and sadly, I can’t remember either professor’s name, which I hate because they both made such an impression on me. The first was Intro to Sociology at the Corinth campus back in 2000 (which feels a little wild to say out loud). The professor was so animated and lively that it made going to class exciting. It was my very first real taste of college, and I honestly can’t imagine a better introduction. The second was Earth Sciences for Non-Majors (basically Geology), and it was hands down my favorite class I’ve ever taken. I loved everything about it: the content, the discussions, the professor’s style. I enjoyed it so much that I took Earth Sciences II and absolutely would have kept going if there had been a third option. Those classes reminded me that learning can be fun and that makes all the difference.
Where has your career path taken you since graduating from NCTC?
I graduated from NCTC in December of 2021 (yes, it took me 21 years to complete my associate’s degree). Life, jobs, kids… they all took priority at different points along the way. And while I don’t necessarily recommend stretching it out over two decades, I do think it’s a powerful reminder that it doesn’t matter how long it takes, it just matters that you finish. In January of 2022, just one month after graduating, I landed the job of my dreams as President/CEO of the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce. Did hard work and years of experience play a role in that? Absolutely. But I firmly believe that having my Associate degree from North Central Texas College helped open the door. It validated the experience and showed that I had finished what I started. I was 44 years old when I graduated. And I can confidently say it is never too late!
How did your time at NCTC prepare you for your current role or next steps in education?
I don’t think I even have the vocabulary or the space to fully list all the ways NCTC prepared me for the roles I’ve held since, including being a current senior about to graduate with my bachelor’s degree. The classes were challenging but doable. The professors were tough but supportive. And the knowledge I gained was invaluable. It’s funny, I work for a Chamber of Commerce, but one of the classes that shaped me the most was a science class. It taught me to look at things differently, to look beneath the surface and consider what might really be going on underneath. That perspective has served me in leadership more than I ever expected. Classes, like life, aren’t always black and white. You learn just as much from the process of learning, pushing through, thinking critically, and growing as you do from the actual content.
What’s one professional accomplishment you're especially proud of?
This might sound a little corny, but if I’m being completely honest, it’s my degree from NCTC. I’ve earned professional designations over the years, and some of those took years of work and commitment. By the end of this year (or early next year), I’ll complete my bachelor’s degree from Texas State University. I’m incredibly proud of those milestones. But nothing will ever mean quite as much as that diploma from North Central Texas College. It hangs proudly on my wall. It will always be one of the accomplishments I’m most proud of.
Were you involved in any student organizations, clubs, or activities while at NCTC? How did that shape your experience?
I wasn’t involved in any student organizations or clubs. I was very much a non-traditional student with young (and later adult) kids at home. My schedule was pretty much class, work, and family. I don’t have regrets because that season of life required focus in different areas. But if I had taken a more traditional path, I would have signed up for everything that would take me. I truly believe the extracurriculars (the teams, the clubs, the activities) are just as important to the college experience as the classes themselves. I’ve seen that firsthand. My nephew attended NCTC for two years on the Cross Country and Track team, and he still talks so fondly about that time. Those relationships and experiences stick with you long after graduation.
What advice would you give to current or incoming NCTC students?
Honestly, several things. First, stay at NCTC as long as you can. I understand the pull of the “big” college experience, but the debt that often comes with it is very real. Get your hours at NCTC. The education is just as good (if not better, in my opinion), and the price tag is far more manageable. Second, get involved. Join the clubs. Do the activities. Say yes. The connections you build will matter just as much as the classes you take. Third, don’t quit. Even if it’s one class at a time, keep going. Everyone’s educational journey looks different, so don’t try to model yours after what you think it’s supposed to look like. Do what works for you and don’t stop. And finally, talk to your professors. If you’re struggling or don’t understand something, speak up. They truly want you to succeed and will do everything they can to help you get there.
What does being an NCTC alum mean to you?
Being an NCTC alum means perseverance to me. It represents starting something, stepping away when life demanded it, and then coming back to finish. No matter how long it took. It’s a reminder that progress doesn’t have to be fast to be meaningful. It also means community. NCTC is part of North Texas. It is woven into the fabric of Gainesville. It’s part of us. It serves students in every season of life, whether they’re 18 and just starting out or 44 and finally finishing. It is an institution. When I look at my diploma, I don’t just see a degree. I see a promise kept to myself. And that means everything.
For more information on being featured in our Alumni Spotlight, please contact Debbie Sharp at dsharp@nctc.edu or visit us at nctc.edu/alumni.