Current Job Title:  President of Edgecombe Community College 

Educational Background: 

• • Hoke County Public Schools

  • The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics

  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

    • • • • NC Teaching Fellow

          • Bachelors of Arts in Education

  • North Carolina State University

    • • • • Certificate in Business Management

          • Masters of Education

  • Barry University

    • • • • Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Leadership and Education

How did you decide on your career pathway?: In preparing to go to college, I was awarded the NC Teaching Fellows Scholarship so I knew I had to go to college to become a teacher and teach for 4 years after that to fulfill the terms of my scholarship but I didn't really think a lot about my career or path after that point.  After teaching a few years, I worked in Corporate America for a little bit and did a few other things like selling real estate but it wasn't until I took a part-time teaching position at Durham Technical Community College that I discovered my path and what I wanted to do as a career.

What hobbies/interests do you have outside of work?:  I am in that season of my life where I am watching my children transition to adulthood and it is exciting to see them grow and develop through my lens as their father and one of their biggest cheerleaders.  Additionally, I have been researching and studying my family history over the past several years which has been fascinating as I seek to learn more about my roots and to share our history with my extended family.  Other than that, I love to travel although it is difficult to take the time to do so given my work responsibilities and to be there for my children as they navigate the college years.

What advice would you give your 14 year old self?: I would tell my 14-year old self to stay curious, be open minded, try new things, go to new places, and meet new people.  I would also say to believe in yourself and have a fierce determination and strong work ethic to be all I can be while maintaining a balanced, healthy, well-rounded life.

Words of Wisdom:  It is okay not to have everything figured out at any point in your life but it is not okay to sit around waiting for something to happen or for someone else to do something for you while you're not trying to make progress.  Certainly things will happen that will impact you and certainly others will do things for you and with you but you need to have that fire, that want, that passion, that determination, and that courage to live the greatest life you dare to live.

Current Job Title:  Recent Graduate - Studying for the MCAT 

Educational Background: 

• • The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics - Durham

  • Edgecombe Community College

    • • • • Associates of Science

  • University of North Carolina at Wilmington

    • • • • Bachelors of Science

            • • Public Health - major

              • Biology - minor

How did you decide on your career pathway?: I was fortunate enough to grow up around others that took education very seriously and encouraged me to pursue opportunities that would help me learn. When I participated in a summer volunteer program in middle school at a local hospital and got to see the inner workings of a healthcare system up close, I knew I wanted to study healthcare in college and work as a medical doctor.

What hobbies/interests do you have outside of work?: I thoroughly enjoy traveling and seeing new places. I also enjoy playing basketball and am a huge nerd.

What advice would you give your 14 year old self?: Get in the habit of trying new things and exploring new opportunities. That is the best way to find your passions and interests.