30 Stories of RCC Student Success from 2024
What’s your New Years Resolution?
If your resolution is to earn a degree, get a better job, gain new skills, or learn a new trade, then Robeson Community College can help you in reaching those goals in 2025.
“Let 2025 be the year you reimagine yourself,” RCC President Melissa Singler said. “Give yourself the gift of education in the new year and let 2025 be the beginning of a new chapter, new start in your life.”
Robeson Community College offers many opportunities, including over 80 programs of study leading to an associate degree, diploma or certificate and short-term training that leads to long-term careers. For anyone interested in becoming a student at Robeson Community College, registration will be open starting on Thursday, January 2.
Curriculum classes will begin on January 13. New continuing education classes will start throughout the semester.
If you need inspiration to start your journey, look at these 30 success stories of 2024 from students who attended Robeson Community College. Just think, your story might make headlines in 2025. Start your journey today at www.robeson.edu.
Stories are listed chronologically in the order they were published.
Student Success Stories from 2024
- Shannon Oxendine
One random text message from Robeson Community College prompted Shannon Oxendine to learn more about the massage therapy program. The class started that night, and when she called, she found out she could get a scholarship with all expenses paid. As she says, it was just meant to be and now she feels like she has found a new purpose for her life. Oxendine hopes to one day open a mobile massage that can be taken to events, hospitals and doctor’s offices.
- Edith Jones
The 2023-2024 Senior Ms. Lumbee, Edith Jones, is also a graduate of Robeson Community College, completing her degree in business computer programming in 1993. She worked three jobs while in college so that she could complete her degree, and after she graduated, one of her employers promoted her from housekeeping to senior payroll specialist, a position she still holds to this day.
- Koba Bryant
At just 26 years old, Lumberton native Koba Bryant traveled around the world and has experienced life thousands of feet under the sea aboard the USS Cheyenne. After separating from the service, Bryant wasn’t sure what he wanted to do, but thanks to guidance from his parents, he decided to enroll at RCC and has flourished, even becoming the elected Student Government Association President for 2023-2024.
- Bobby Clark and Rebecca Jones
RCC helped to create a new chapter in the lives of one local couple – Bobby Clark and Rebecca Jones. By overcoming the past, living in the present, and celebrating the future, this couple found hope through education at Robeson Community College. Bobby enrolled in the Barbering program and Rebecca went through Cosmetology, discovering their passion and transforming their lives.
- Jesicove Jean
When Jesicove Jean first arrived in the United States at the age of 13, she could not speak any English. Born in Haiti, living conditions were hard and poverty was rampant, leaving her family no choice but to flee the country in pursuit of a better life. She lived in Florida and Oregon for a brief period and after her mother relocated to Lumberton, she followed. She discovered Robeson Community College by “googling” colleges and went on to complete a degree and transferred to the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. She is an advocate for her community and wants to continue trying to help improve the lives of immigrants and the international community as they transition to the United States.
- Kinsley Morgan, Tyler Snipes, Keith Kornegay
Kinsley Morgan, Tyler Snipes, and Keith Kornegay all attended the 50th Anniversary Fire and Rescue Conference at Robeson Community College in February 2024. The three shared their experiences from the classes they took during the four-day seminar. The event drew 469 firefighters and first responders to Robeson County from all across North Carolina and even parts of South Carolina.
- Landrie Locklear, Bethany Jacobs, and Braydann Revels
Landrie Locklear, Bethany Jacobs, and Braydann Revels all made headlines this past Spring when they became Certified Emergency Medical Technicians for the State of North Carolina through the Career and College Promise program at Robeson Community College.
- Destiny Sosa
Destiny Sosa was declared the winner of the 4th Annual Battle of the Butts Competition at Robeson Community College. She had the winning sauce and rub that was used for the fundraiser plate sale, which sold more than 800 tickets to businesses and organizations in the area to help support the Communities in Schools.
- Robert Morgan
RCC Alum Robert Morgan started his college career at a major university in Indiana, but with the high costs of tuition, it was not practical, and he did not want to continue to put that financial burden upon himself or his family. That is when he decided to give Robeson Community College a try. As a native of Lumberton, Morgan was familiar with the campus and thought it might be well-deserving of a second look. Robert says it was the best decision he ever made.
- Maryellen Meaut
Maryellen Meaut, came to RCC to complete a degree in accounting so that she could help keep her family business alive for generations to come. It’s a part of their succession planning, as she works to learn all she can about the family’s heating and air conditioning business, with plans to take over the financial responsibilities of the company after graduating from Robeson Community College this May.
- Giovanny Gomez
Robeson Community College held its annual Trauma Rodeo event in April 2024. This year for the first time, Basic Law Enforcement Students were included in the simulation, giving cadets and health science students the ultimate opportunity to test their skills and knowledge and put their training into action.
One BLET student, Giovanny Gomez shared his story of what the event was like. Gomez graduated this May.
- Seth Bullard
RCC Alum Seth Bullard was recognized this year as one of the most outstanding apprentices in North Carolina, and his story was recently featured by the United States Department of Education. Bullard is a graduate of the Information Technology program, specializing in cybersecurity. He is currently an apprentice with Lumbee Holdings, Inc., a registered apprenticeship program with Robeson Community College. Lumbee Holdings, Inc was also recognized as one of the best registered apprenticeship programs in North Carolina.
- Dolly Rice, Loretta Rice, Latasha Rice
The unexpected has turned into a reality for three sisters in Robeson County this year. Dolly, 35, Loretta, 32, and Latasha Rice, 29, became official graduates of Robeson Community College on May 8, earning an associate of applied science in nursing and all the rights thereof.
- Regina Walters
RCC Graduate Regina Walters was named the 2024 Academic Excellence Award Winner at Robeson Community College during the commencement ceremony. Walters is an education major and went from working as the kitchen manager at Head Start in Pembroke to teaching children there, between the ages of 2 and 5.
Although she was not born in Robeson County due to her parents being in the military, Walters roots run deep here, with her descendants being the founding members of the Thompson Institute, which as a history marker states was “Est. 1881 for blacks by Lumber River Bapt Assoc. Boarding School; trained teachers; named for A.H. Thompson. Succeeded here by public schools in 1942.” The school is still standing, now known as WH Knuckles Elementary for the Public Schools of Robeson County.
- Jimmy Dong
Jimmy Dong was an early college student dually enrolled at Robeson Community college. He completed the associate of arts program, graduating in 2024. As he applied to colleges, he applied to the Rochester Institute of Technology and, due to his achievements at RCC, raked up $100,000 in scholarships to attend the prestigious college. Jimmy hopes to become a computer software engineer.
- Madison Williams
We first met Madison Williams in 2022, while she was earning her degree at Robeson Community College and working full time at North End Veterinarian Clinic in Lumberton.
Fast forward to today and Madison can now say she is a proud graduate of RCC, the Class of 2024 after completing the requirements of the Associate of Arts in Teacher Preparation.
- Briana Locklear
With a shortage of healthcare workers, the need for nurses continues to grow, making them in high demand. The demand is so great, all 31 graduates from the associate degree nursing program at Robeson Community College, have already obtained jobs, many before they even graduated, like Briana Locklear.
Locklear was unique in her graduating class, as she completed the EMS Bridge to Nursing program, a program that only a handful of students complete each year. Locklear previously completed the EMS degree at Robeson Community College and currently works as a paramedic with Robeson County EMS and volunteers as a rescue member at Lumberton Rescue.
- Jorden Addams
Jorden Addams, became the first continuing education student at RCC to pass all three insurance examinations that the academy prepares students for – life, health, and Medicare – and is now a licensed insurance agent working for Lincoln Heritage selling life insurance.
Addams says that the academy at Robeson Community College is helping her get back on her feet after being unemployed for a year and without the ability to afford a car. She is hopeful about what the future holds.
- Abigail Jacobs and David Jimenez
Robeson Community College was in the national spotlight again this year, as two students, David Jimenez and Abigail Jacobs, competed in the SkillsUSA competition in Atlanta. The two ranked #11 in the mechatronics category, which featured students from various colleges and universities across the country.
- Itzel Barrales Cervantes
Itzel Barrales Cervantes was declared the winner of the 2024 Cosmetology Fantasy Display Contest with her character depiction of “La Catrina.” The contest is a way for students to prepare for the North Carolina SkillsUSA Contest held in the Spring.
- Jarrett Oxendine
When you hear the words “Robeson Community College” being spoken, you most likely wouldn’t think immediately that it’s a place where you could build a path to become a physician assistant. But for one local man from Robeson County, RCC is the place where he did just that. Jarrett Oxendine shares his story with us and how RCC’s EMS program played an integral role in his ability to be a PA-C at UNC Health SE.
- Kaden Thompson
Kaden is a 2024 Robeson Community College graduate, earning an associate of arts degree while also enrolled in the early college on campus. With just a few weeks before classes began at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington this fall, RCC grad Kaden Thompson sat down for an interview with us, as he was busy preparing for what life will be like living on campus.
And at the age of just 19 years old, continuing his education is not Kaden’s only focus. He loves to write and has already published three books with plans to write many more.
- Juss McLaurin and Brittany Hunt
Students attending Robeson Community College this past fall celebrated the good news of receiving financial assistance through the NextNC Scholarship. Two students, Juss McLaurin and Brittany Hunt, are busy making plans for the future and when we interviewed them in the summer, were looking forward to the start of the semester on August 15.
- Madyson Boggs, Amanda Hierl, Nicholas Hafertepen, and Chandler Worley
Madyson Boggs, Amanda Hierl, Nicholas Hafertepen, and Chandler Worley are all actively working in emergency medical services. Thanks to RCC’s EMS Bridge program, the four have been able to continue their education online to complete their associate degree, which grants 48 hours towards a degree with certifications earned and work experience gained through on-the-job training.
- Christina Dees
Christina Dees, a television host and personality, enrolled in the completely online “In the Business with Beekeeping Class” offered this past summer at RCC. While filming a segment on the class, she shared her experience with viewers.
- Chelsea Banks, Marcus Brown, Kevin Hawkins, Contessa Oxendine, Addison Prevatte, and Brianna Seals
With so many opportunities available at Robeson Community College, students like Chelsea Banks, Marcus Brown, Kevin Hawkins, Contessa Oxendine, Addison Prevatte, and Brianna Seals have found a hidden gem through Robeson Community College’s online offerings, which will only continue to increase as e-learning continues to grow in popularity and technology becomes more innovative.
- Hilina Hailemawam, Gboreoluwa Inioluwa Rocheal, Denika Abraham, Preethi Ghanamurugan, Changhieco Chiegil, Oluwagbotemi Esther Olabode, Elisa Dominguez-Herrera, and Brianna Opoku
From Singapore to Nigeria to Ethiopia to Pohnpei Micronesia to Charlotte, the Nurse Aide I class at Robeson Community College has one of the most diverse representations of students on campus, increasing RCC’s reach on a global scale.
Hilina Hailemawam, Gboreoluwa Inioluwa Rocheal, Denika Abraham, Preethi Ghanamurugan, Changhieco Chiegil, Oluwagbotemi Esther Olabode, Elisa Dominguez-Herrera, and Brianna Opoku shared their experience in the class as they dually enrolled while attending the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
- Katelyn Carr
One of RCC’s Early College Graduates, Kately Carr, has found early success in life. She graduated in May 2022 with a high school diploma and an associate degree and then transferred to NC State University. She graduated this past May from NCSU and now has started working at her dream job, which has always been having the opportunity to write and be creative.
- Cindy Bell and Aaron Eddings
With many roads washed out across the southeast due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, getting the items to their destination is proving to be a challenge. I-40 is projected to remain closed until 2026, increasing the mileage a driver must take as they go cross country, but that isn’t detouring students like Cindy Bell or Aaron Eddings from signing up to receive their CDLs and complete the 480-hour truck driving academy at Robeson Community College.
- William Locklear and Tristan Lowry
Students from the first electrical lineman program, like William Locklear and Tristan Lowry, at Robeson Community College are soaring to new heights after graduating from the program this fall. The program was established in partnership with Lumber River EMC to meet demand for lineman positions, so that students like William and Tristan would not have to travel outside of the county to receive training.
