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

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.”