Awards Archives - ��

�� Respiratory Therapy Students Capture State Championship, Seek Support for Nationals

Shawna Jones — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:40 +0000

Three �� respiratory therapy students have earned statewide bragging rights after capturing the 2026 North Carolina Society for Respiratory Care (NCSRC) Sputum Bowl Championship and securing a spot at the national competition in New Orleans this November.

The Sputum Bowl is a fast-paced academic competition that tests respiratory care students and practitioners on topics ranging from anatomy and physiology to mechanical ventilation, pharmacology, critical care, as well as neonatal and pediatric respiratory concepts.

��’s championship team consisted of Madison Beasley, Marlee Holloman-Proctor and Ulysses Puente. The students competed against teams from six North Carolina community colleges during the NCSRC State Conference, held Sept. 24-25 at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro. The victory marks ��’s first Sputum Bowl championship since the early 2000s.

“Our students have really taken the initiative and have been putting in some hard work for this competition and for our tests in class,” said Cecelia Aragon, respiratory therapy instructor.

Participation in the Sputum Bowl is voluntary, and only three students from each respiratory therapy program may form a team. To prepare, the �� team spent four weeks practicing with instructors, reviewing content areas, working through practice questions, and sharpening their response times using electronic buzzers to simulate the competition environment.

The championship run was particularly memorable because the team battled back after an early loss in the double-elimination tournament.

“Pure disbelief,” said Beasley, a second-year respiratory therapy student and �� team captain after winning the tournament. “We took a loss very early on and felt defeated. We rallied together, and we were able to come out of the losers’ bracket and bring home the win.”

Beasley said what began as a fun opportunity soon became much more.

“At first, I think we just decided to do it as fun,” said the 25-year-old. “As we began practicing each week for it, we began to see that we actually had a chance and used it as a challenge to help us dive deeper with our learning and understanding of respiratory topics.”

As state champions, the team received a championship trophy and scrub-store gift certificates. More significantly, the students earned the opportunity to represent North Carolina at the American Association for Respiratory Care National Conference in New Orleans, Nov. 14-16.

There, they will face approximately 30 teams from across the United States, including competitors from both community colleges and universities.

“I believe competing at the national level will help build my confidence in my abilities and better prepare me for my future career as a respiratory therapist,” Beasley said. “Being part of this team has already made my experience at �� more meaningful, and I’m excited to represent our school, make lasting memories, and continue growing in a program that I’m proud to be a part of.”

To help offset travel expenses for the national competition, the respiratory therapy program is hosting a fundraising campaign featuring a barbecue plate sale and raffle. Barbecue plates are $15 and may be ordered now for pickup or delivery from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 23. Raffle tickets are available for $3 with a plate purchase or $5 without a plate purchase.

to support the team’s trip to nationals.

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Student and Community Advocate Wins �� Staff Award

Shawna Jones — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 17:19:18 +0000

Teresa Bottoms

Teresa Bottoms, a longtime student advocate and 20‑year employee at ��, has been named the recipient of the college’s 2026 Staff Award, an honor recognizing initiative, innovation and leadership among �� employees.

Bottoms, a student support counselor and disability services coordinator, said she was “excited” and “shocked” to receive the award. “I was shocked that my efforts were recognized at the college with an award. It was a good surprise,” she said.

Bottoms’ connection to �� began when she left high school early and enrolled in the college’s GED program. “I dropped out because I was pregnant and uncomfortable returning to classes,” she said. After enrolling and later working at the college, she made it a point to encourage other young mothers. “When I saw a pregnant girl, it was my duty to speak with her and share some encouragement.”

She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from NC Wesleyan University and a master’s degree in human services from Liberty University. After 13 years in banking, Bottoms was recruited to �� by former Vice President of Administrative Services Charlie Harrell.

Since joining the college, Bottoms has held roles in the business office, financial aid, student services and veteran services. In her current position, she oversees child care grant funding, ADA accommodations, transportation and emergency assistance and food insecurity support. She also coordinates admissions for ��’s online Health Information Technology program and teaches case management as an adjunct instructor.

“She leads with humility, serves with compassion, and consistently places the needs of students, colleagues and the institution above her own,” her nomination form reads. “Her unwavering commitment to excellence, willingness to embrace new challenges, and ability to positively influence those around her have left a lasting impact on our college and the community we serve.”

Bottoms started ��’s Student Veterans Association to provide community and advocacy for student veterans. �� previously offered the 50+ grant initiative, which Bottoms launched. It offered technology training for adults age 50 and older. As a member of the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Committee, she reviews student appeals and ensures compliance with federal regulations. She also leads ��’s annual Toy Drive benefiting foster children served by the Edgecombe County Department of Social Services.

Outside the college, Bottoms is a licensed real estate broker, a committee representative for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and president and co‑founder of Bikers Girls of Tarboro, a group that supports �� students with transportation needs. The organization hosts Purple Thursday, an annual domestic violence awareness event held each October in downtown Tarboro.

Bottoms’ nomination notes that “whether leading grant initiatives, establishing new student organizations, improving institutional processes or fostering community partnerships, she consistently exemplifies the initiative, innovation and leadership this award seeks to recognize.”

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Ami Denton Receives ��’s Highest Faculty Honor

Shawna Jones — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 17:18:02 +0000

Ami Denton

Ami Denton, director of nursing programs at ��, has received the Astemo Endowed Faculty Chair Award, the highest faculty honor awarded by the college.

Denton, who joined �� in 2018, was selected by a committee of �� employees from a group of nominees who submitted a teaching philosophy, performance portfolio and essay.

“To be recognized for work that I genuinely love is incredibly humbling,” Denton said. “This recognition is a reflection not only of my work, but of the incredible students, faculty and community that I have the privilege to be a part of.”

According to nomination materials, Denton played a key role in establishing new clinical preceptor partnerships with UNC Health Nash and ECU Health Edgecombe. The partnerships provide nursing students with additional opportunities for hands-on clinical experience and helped support an increase in nursing program enrollment.

One nomination letter credited Denton with helping increase enrollment and strengthening relationships with local healthcare providers.

Denton also has been recognized for improving student outcomes, including on-time graduation rates and pass rates on the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX. In May, ��’s Associate Degree Nursing Program celebrated 54 graduates, the largest graduating class in the program’s history.

Beyond the classroom, Denton participates in community service efforts and helps coordinate the college’s Mass Casualty Incident Simulation event. She also assists with campus safety training programs, including CPR, automated external defibrillator, or AED instruction, Stop the Bleed training and Narcan education.

“The foundation of my teaching philosophy is that the most valuable learning occurs through experience,” Denton said.

Denton began her education and healthcare career in 2008 and has held positions in public education, nursing practice and higher education. Before joining ��, she served at Central Carolina Community College and Sandhills Community College, and worked as a registered nurse in clinical settings.

Denton earned bachelor’s degrees in secondary education/social studies and nursing from Appalachian State University, an associate degree in nursing from Sandhills Community College and a master’s degree in nursing from East Carolina University.

Her previous honors include the North Carolina Associate Degree Nursing Council’s Educator of the Year Award in 2022, Sigma Theta Tau recognition and the FirstHealth Moore Regional Auxiliary Award.

The Astemo Endowed Faculty Chair Award includes a $2,500 stipend and a chair bearing an engraved brass nameplate.

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�� Ranked Among the State’s Top Community Colleges

Shawna Jones — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 14:28:43 +0000

�� has secured the #1 spot among community colleges in northeastern NC and #11 in the state on WalletHub’s latest ranking of public two-year institutions across the U.S. The personal finance website utilized data from the 2025 to 2026 academic year.

WalletHub evaluated community colleges nationwide based on a comparison of 18 key factors, including cost and financing, education outcomes and career outcomes. The study’s goal is to identify top community colleges providing a quality education at an affordable price.

“We appreciate the high recognitions and accolades we receive from Wallethub and others each year. They are reflections of the hard work, dedication, and excellence of our students, faculty, staff, donors and community partners,” said �� President Dr. Greg McLeod. “And while we don’t seek or apply for these accolades, the recognitions encourage us to continue striving to be all we can be for the benefit of our students and community.”

Fifty-one of the 58 public community colleges in the state were included in the ranking.

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Imaging Professional Recognized for Excellence

Shawna Jones — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:31:52 +0000

Amie Sasser

It’s not hard to understand why ��’s Amie Sasser recently received the coveted Imaging Professional of Excellence Award from the North Carolina Society of Radiologic Technologists (NCSRT). The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the medical imaging field.

The CT and MRI (Computed Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging) instructor and clinical coordinator has been working in the profession for 19 years. Since starting her job at �� five years ago, she has made strides in recruiting students to the CT program, which uses X-rays to take images of the body, and the MRI program, dedicated to creating detailed scans relying on magnets and radio waves.

Sasser was nominated by a colleague who wrote glowing remarks in a nomination letter.

“My nomination letter listed many things that I have accomplished working in the imaging profession,” said Sasser. “These were things I considered to be part of my job, but it made me realize that all of those little things added up, and more importantly, made an impact.”

Those efforts include expanding recruitment, building partnerships with major health systems such as Duke and WakeMed, and advancing imaging practices that improve patient care. Before joining ��, Sasser helped elevate the role of imaging in clinical decision-making.

“Many of my accomplishments have been behind the scenes,” she said. “Developing new protocols to lower radiation dose in CT, obtaining accreditation for scanners, implementing screening programs like Low Dose Lung Screening CT for early detection of lung cancer, and Coronary Calcium Scoring CT for early detection of stroke and heart attack.”

Sasser received the award during the NCSRT conference at the Great Wolf Lodge Conference Center in Concord. The organization is the state’s leading professional association for medical imaging professionals and radiologic technologists, promoting excellence in imaging and patient care.

A member of NCSRT for five years, Sasser was also elected to a one-year term as secretary during the group’s quarterly board meeting. She continues to serve as volunteer coordinator.

“The award I received was very humbling, but having the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors is truly an honor,” she said.

Sasser credits her colleagues, past and present, along with Rick Mastman, ��’s CT and MRI instructor and consortium director. Mastman was her instructor eight 18 years ago when she completed her CT and MRI degree at ��. “It is an amazing opportunity to be mentored by someone who has developed so many CT and MRI technologists across the state,” said Sasser.

As a member of the Board of Directors at NCRST, Sasser will now have the opportunity to connect more closely with instructors from other schools and with administrators from various hospitals across the state.

Sasser said, “while we do already have the best CT/MRI program, this networking will only improve it.”

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Edgecombe County Resident One of 18 Entrepreneurs Selected for First SBCN Startup Showdown

Shawna Jones — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 19:50:07 +0000

Craig Woodall

Craig Woodall gets emotional when he thinks about how far he’s come. The Air Force veteran and former call center director has decided to branch out and pursue entrepreneurship. His work with the Small Business Center at ��, along with developing and repeatedly testing a new device, has led to his selection as one of 18 entrepreneurs statewide chosen for the first Small Business Center Network Startup Showdown, powered by the Wells Fargo Foundation.

“I was elated. I got emotional,” Woodall said of learning he had been selected for the inaugural statewide initiative launched through North Carolina’s 58 community college Small Business Centers. “I’ve been doing this, it seems like forever. Everything came full circle to, this is what you have been diligent about.”

The SBCN Startup Showdown was created to strengthen entrepreneurship pathways by combining direct coaching, structured pitch preparation and statewide visibility for aspiring business owners preparing to launch new ventures.

Led by the North Carolina Small Business Center Network, the program identifies, supports and elevates emerging business talent through a structured process of local engagement, regional review and statewide selection. The inaugural competition drew 316 applicants from across North Carolina and generated more than 1,050 hours of pre-application business counseling and technical support through local Small Business Centers. Entrepreneurs worked with counselors and directors to refine concepts, prepare submissions and advance through multiple stages of review.

Cohort participants will now begin an eight-week Pitch It! training experience designed to guide them through the steps of starting a successful business. The program includes hands-on activities that build practical knowledge, strengthen presentation skills, sharpen business messaging and prepare participants for their final pitch to Business Trailblazer program judges in August.

“Win or lose, we are all going to benefit from the process,” Woodall said of the 18 finalists. “Our pitches are going to be better, more defined or refined.”

Woodall has been working closely with Laura Brown Evans, director of ��’s Small Business Center, to prepare for the competition.

“We have focused on refining Craig’s business plan and presentation skills,” Evans said. “Our preparation centered on building a compelling business case around his innovation, perfecting his Pitch Day delivery and helping him clearly communicate his market value.”

Woodall, whose mother served in the Navy, said his motivation for entrepreneurship was inspired by her.

“She was always pushing to do something other than what she had to do,” said Woodall, an Anderson, Ind., native. “That kind of planted the seed, but I have always kind of felt like I wanted to do something on my own.”

That drive reflects one of the core goals of the SBCN Startup Showdown — increasing the likelihood that aspiring entrepreneurs can bring their ideas to fruition.

“This program demonstrates what is possible when North Carolina’s community colleges work together statewide to create opportunity for entrepreneurs,” said Dr. Jeff Cox, former president of the North Carolina Community College System. “The SBCN Startup Showdown is creating a new platform for identifying talent, supporting innovation and helping early-stage businesses build momentum in every region of our state.”

While it may be premature to share Woodall’s idea before the pitch, the 55-year-old said preparation and practice matter as much as the concept itself.

“If you’re worried about how you look and what the setup is going to be but then you deliver a terrible pitch, it will likely not work out,” he said. “I have to think about the whole process as a big picture. I’m tightening up the business plan, utilizing all of the sources. I’m just honestly feeling like I’m going to be prepared.”

The formal statewide awards event will be held Sept. 17. Final winners will be announced, and $60,000 in unrestricted startup funding will be awarded.

Evans said the recognition already benefits the county.

“It puts Edgecombe County on the map for economic development and shows local residents that high-level funding and statewide exposure are within reach,” she said. “Win or lose, this event proves that rural entrepreneurship can thrive and compete at the highest level.”

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Students Return Home with Multiple Medals from National Competition

Shawna Jones — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 18:24:45 +0000

Pictured l-r Jesus Cabrera-Hernandez, Daniella Ponce, Ajeda Thomas, Isabella De Leon and Alfredo Hernandez-Garcia

Five �� students returned home as national champions after competing in the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC), held June 1–5 in Atlanta, Ga. Three students earned Gold Medals in the Career Pathways Showcase–Industrial and Engineering Technology. Isabella De Leon, Daniella Ponce and Ajeda Thomas claimed the Gold.

Alfredo Hernandez-Garcia won Silver in Principles of Engineering–Postsecondary, and Jesus Cabrera-Hernandez earned Bronze in Principles of Engineering–Secondary.

SkillsUSA is a premier showcase of career and technical education, drawing more than 19,000 students, advisors and industry leaders each year. ��’s medalists received national recognition for excellence, and all five are members of crit��ly stable, the college’s high-altitude balloon team. They were accompanied by advisors Rebecca Stamilio Ehret, Dr. Johnica Ellis Kiser and Trey Cherry, who emphasized the personal, academic and workplace skills students gain through the rigorous competition.

“Our national medalists completed this work outside of their regular coursework, putting in long hours alongside their faculty advisors to achieve at this level,” said Cherry, who also serves as chair of Information Technology Studies.

The national conference follows the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference, held April 15–17 in Greensboro. This year marked ��’s largest participation, with 65 students competing and bringing home 19 medals, including four gold, four silver, three bronze, plus four fourth-place and four fifth-place finishes. Events showcased excellence in engineering, welding, cosmetology, carpentry and other technical fields.

“We are extremely proud of the medals our students earned this year,” Cherry said. “These results speak volumes about the extra time and effort that these students and their advisors put into preparing for competition.”

View the full list of national and state-level winners and advisors.

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Celebrate ��’s SkillsUSA State Champions

Shawna Jones — Tue, 12 May 2026 21:03:25 +0000

�� invites the public to celebrate the outstanding students who recently earned top honors at the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference in Greensboro, N.C.

A recognition event will be held Tuesday, May 19, from 3:30–5 p.m. in the Barnhill-Jenkins Center for Innovation’s Multipurpose Room. Students who competed at the state conference, held April 15–17, will be recognized for their achievements.

This year marked ��’s largest team, with 65 students traveling to Greensboro. Participants brought home 19 medals, including four gold, four silver, three bronze, along with four fourth-place and four fifth-place awards. Competitions showcased excellence in career and technical fields such as engineering, welding, cosmetology, carpentry and more.

“I am grateful to our students for putting in the extra effort of preparing and competing, and to our advisors for spending extra time with these students helping them prepare,” said Trey Cherry, chair of Information Technology Studies. “I am also grateful for the ongoing support of our administration and our foundation donors who support our participation in SkillsUSA.”

Guests at the celebration will have the opportunity to meet many of the competitors and view several of their award-winning projects. Some local winners will advance to the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, taking place June 1–5 in Atlanta, Ga.

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CEO Delivers Meaningful Message to Graduates During ��’s Commencement

Shawna Jones — Tue, 12 May 2026 19:47:10 +0000

Built here. Now what?

“Built here. Now what?” That was the message delivered by Ron Green, chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tar River Region, during ��’s commencement ceremony on Friday, May 8.

Green emphasized the role of community colleges in shaping students’ futures, telling graduates that being “built” at a community college carries meaning.

Tara Davis

“You see that word ‘community.’ It matters, because community colleges don’t just educate you. They elevate you,” Green said. “They don’t require perfection. They develop potential.”

Green, who has led the organization in the Tar River Region for 14 years, said he related to the graduates. He began his own academic journey at Itawamba Community College in Mississippi, an experience he said gave him confidence.

“It taught me that my starting point didn’t define my ceiling,” he said. “Where I began didn’t limit where I could go.”

�� awarded credentials to 553 graduates in the Class of 2026. The college conferred 207 degrees, 123 diplomas and 223 certificates. Another 55 students completed Adult High School Equivalency or Adult High School diplomas.

�� President Dr. Greg McLeod encouraged graduates to continue advancing toward their goals.

Eddie Batchelor IV

“Whether your next step is transferring to a four-year institution, returning here for another credential, or applying the training you have received in your career or business, don’t stop moving. Keep going,” McLeod said.

Among the graduates was Tara Davis, ��’s Academic Excellence Award recipient. Davis earned an associate degree in applied science in surgical technology with a 4.0 grade-point average and is already working as a surgical technology associate at the ECU Health Heart Institute Cardiovascular Operating Room.

Other honorees included Eddie Batchelor IV, recipient of the Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award, which recognizes exemplary student leadership. Batchelor, a student ambassador and member of Phi Theta Kappa, will continue his studies at North Carolina Wesleyan University this fall.

Erma Battle-Mills received the Dallas Herring Achievement Award, presented to a student who exemplifies Herring’s philosophy of “taking people where they are and carrying them as far as they can go.” Battle-Mills earned her high school equivalency at age 76 and is enrolled in ��’s digital navigator’s course.

Erma Battle-Mills

Three graduates were recognized for having the highest grade-point averages in their academic divisions: Alfredo Hernandez Garcia (Arts and Sciences), Ashley Culbertson (Business, Industry and Technologies) and Taylor Batts (Health Sciences).

Green closed his remarks by encouraging graduates to remember the childhood game rock, paper, scissors as a metaphor for navigating life’s challenges.

“When life looks at you and asks ‘now what?’ remember this,” he said. “The rock—find the person who will hold you down. The paper—keep sharpening your pencil because your story is still being written. Scissors—identify the people, places and things you need to cut out of your life to reach your dreams.”

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Scholarships for High-school Graduates

Shawna Jones — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 13:47:58 +0000

A wide variety of scholarships are offered from �� to high-school graduates, ensuring they pay little to no out-of-pocket costs.

New to �� this year are the First Flight and Esports Scholars Scholarships. High-school graduates with an unweighted Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.6 may apply for the First Flight Scholarship. Students who enroll in a degree program at �� could receive $500 their first year, awarded at $250 each fall and spring semester.

�� launched the Esports gaming program in the fall. Seeking to build a league of gamers who will compete against other colleges in the state, this scholarship totals $2,000 per year for two years. Recipients must be 2026 high-school graduates of Edgecombe County or a surrounding county, with an unweighted GPA of at least 2.6.

These new scholarships are added to other existing scholarships, making college at �� even more affordable. For example, qualified students who receive the EDGE scholarship get a fully-funded education for up to two years. Based on in-state tuition, the EDGE Scholarship provides a financial aid package covering tuition, books and fees. Recipients must be current high-school graduates of either Edgecombe County or a surrounding county with an unweighted GPA of at least 2.8. Students must have completed at least six credit hours through the NC Career and College Promise Program or an approved Continuing Education Program with 96 or more contact hours.

The Eagle Mascot Scholarship was established in 2021. The mascot performer delivers excitement as he/she represents �� at on-campus and community events. The ideal student must take a minimum of six credit hours and maintain a GPA of 2.6 or higher for the $1,000 annual scholarship.

For more information about the Edge, First Flight, Esports Scholars and the Eagle Mascot scholarships, visit .

The �� Foundation also offers a number of annual scholarships and endowments totaling awards of approximately $100,000 each year.

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Awards Archives - ������

������ Respiratory Therapy Students Capture State Championship, Seek Support for Nationals

Student and Community Advocate Wins ������ Staff Award

Ami Denton Receives ������’s Highest Faculty Honor

������ Ranked Among the State’s Top Community Colleges