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College of The Albemarle Recognizes Students for Academic Awards

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – College of The Albemarle (COA) is pleased to announce the student award recipients for 2024-2025. Academic and state awards were presented during a reception in April.

North Carolina Community College System’s Academic Excellence Award 

The North Carolina Community College System Academic Excellence Award recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievements and excellence. This award acknowledges students’ hard work, dedication, and exceptional performance in their academic pursuits.

The award is often given to students who have achieved the highest GPA in their respective programs of study or who have exhibited exceptional academic performance in their coursework. It recognizes their commitment to academic excellence and ability to excel in their chosen field of study.

Congratulations to Robert Wernock, College of The Albemarle recipient of the 2025 NCCCS Academic Excellence Award.

Robert Wernock, 2025 NCCCS Academic Excellence Award Recipient

Dallas Herring Achievement Award Nominee

The Dallas Herring Achievement Award is an honor bestowed upon North Carolina Community College System students. Named after Dallas Herring, a pioneer in the community college movement, this award recognizes exceptional academic achievement and personal growth by individuals who have benefited from the community college education.

The Dallas Herring Achievement Award is given annually to a student who has demonstrated significant progress in academic pursuits, overcome obstacles, and exhibited outstanding leadership qualities. Recipients are typically selected based on nominations from faculty and staff from the community college system.

Congratulations to Samantha Dick, College of The Albemarle award recipient and state nominee for the 2025 Dallas Herring Achievement Award.

Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award Nominee

The Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award is an honor bestowed upon outstanding student leaders in North Carolina, United States. Named after Robert W. Scott, who served as the Governor of North Carolina from 1969 to 1973, this award recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and made significant contributions to their school, community, and beyond.

The award aims to acknowledge and encourage student leadership by highlighting young leaders’ achievements and positive impact. It recognizes various aspects of leadership, including but not limited to academic excellence, community service, extracurricular involvement, and the ability to inspire and motivate others.

Congratulations to Shackeria Johnson, College of The Albemarle Award recipient for 2025.

Scholar of Global Distinction Award

College of The Albemarle is proud to be a member institution of the North Carolina Scholar of Global Distinction Program (NCSGDP). The NCSGDP is an academic recognition program for students in the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) who demonstrate exceptional knowledge and understanding of global issues and cultures. This program prepares students to be globally competent and engaged citizens in an increasingly interconnected world.

NCSGDP participants who successfully complete the program receive “Graduated with Global Distinction” on their transcripts, an honors graduation stole, and a joint certificate from COA and World View at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, recognizing this accomplishment.  College of The Albemarle’s criteria for award consideration includes completing at least 15 credit hours of globally intensive courses; participating in eight international activities and dialogue; global experience (30 hours of participation in either study abroad or a domestic intercultural experience); giving a capstone presentation related to their global learning participation.

Congratulations to Jessica White, the recipient of the 2024-2025 COA Scholar of Global Distinction Award.

COA Campus Cup Awards

Campus cup awards are presented each year to individuals who have accomplished one or more of the following requirements: significant contributions of service to the college, exhibited leadership skills in or outside of the classroom, exhibited exemplary service to the community, exhibited outstanding commitment to their chosen profession, and demonstrated academic excellence. The recipients of the campus cups are considered for the President’s Cup, which will be announced in a future 2025 commencement.

Congratulations to the COA Campus Cup recipients for 2024-2025:

Samantha Dick, COA – Currituck

Robert Wernock, COA – Dare

Andrew Heath, COA – Elizabeth City

Academic Awards – Division of Health Sciences and Wellness

Awards were presented to students who were enrolled and in good standing in a Health Sciences program or have successfully completed the program within the current academic year and meet the following criteria: successfully completed at least 6 hours of coursework at 100-level or higher each semester while enrolled in the program, received a grade of “A” or “B” in the core curriculum courses, other required courses in the  Health Sciences Program, and any other courses during each semester while enrolled in the program and was “satisfactory” in all clinical evaluations. The student’s cumulative COA GPA must have been maintained at 3.70 or higher each semester while enrolled in the program.

Congratulations to the award recipients for 2024-2025:

Associate Degree Nursing                                     Shelby Ayers

Associate Degree Nursing                                     Lia Newbern

Associate Degree Nursing                                     Maria Ortega

Associate Degree Nursing                                     Fiona Rewis

Associate Degree Nursing                                     Angelica Roldan

Associate Degree Nursing                                     Cassandra Simons

Associate Degree Nursing                                     Aubrey Sopher

Associate in General Education – Nursing          Kaylie Kidwell

Emergency Medical Sciences                               Ian Dudek

Health Fitness Science                                           Hristina Trajkoska

Medical Laboratory Technology                            Heather Todd

Social and Human Services                                   Autumn Price

Surgical Technology                                               Baylee Morton

Academic Awards – Division of Arts and Sciences

Awards were presented to students with the highest GPA in their respective degree or diploma program. Recipients must have applied for graduation in the current academic year and completed a minimum of 40 credit hours at COA.

Congratulations to the award recipients for 2024-2025:

Associate in Arts                                                      Kylee Dinterman

Associate in Arts                                                      Kirra Ensenat

Associate in Arts                                                      Taylor Honza

Associate in Arts                                                      Chloe Hudson

Associate in Arts                                                      Matthew Johnson

Associate in Arts                                                      Aimee Marsh

Associate in Arts                                                      Kisstina Parker

Associate in Arts                                                      Megan Spafford

Associate in Arts                                                      Anceli Torres

Associate in Arts                                                      Wyatt Whitfield

Associate in Arts in Teacher Prep                         Emily Blair

Associate in Fine Arts – Visual Arts                       Isabella Sanford

Associate in General Education                            Alice Turney

Associate in Science                                               Logan Kronbauer

Associate in Science                                               Adrien Smith

Associate in Science                                               Kaylee Steuber

Associate in Engineering                                       Samantha Dick

The COA Awards in Academic Foundations were presented to the students enrolled, in good standing, in an Academic Foundations English and/or Math course or who have successfully completed the course(s) within the current academic year and achieved the highest numerical grade and/or reached the highest tier achievement in an Academic Foundations English and/or Math course.

Congratulations to the award recipients for 2024-2025:

Academic Foundations                                           Sheneka Whidbee

Academic Foundations                                           Jessicah Woodell

Academic Awards – Division of Business, Industry and Applied Technologies

Awards were presented to students with the highest GPA in their respective degree programs. Students who were enrolled and in good standing or successfully completed the program within the current academic year and meet the following criteria: Must have successfully completed 18 hours of 100-level or higher coursework and the GPA must be a 3.6 or higher.

Congratulations to the award recipients for 2024-2025:

Aviation                                                                     Russ Pugh

Aviation                                                                     Sean Harrigan

Aviation                                                                     Erick Schultz

Computer-Integrated Machining                           Christian Dart

General Business Administration                         Enrique Pichardo

Global Business Management                              Jonathan Liles

HVAC                                                                         Collins Jarvis

IT: Computer Programming                                   Michael Bright

IT: Systems Administration & Support                 Keegan Futrrell

Welding Technology                                               Colby Walke

Academic Awards – Division of Workforce Development, Public Services and Career Readiness

Awards were presented to students with the highest GPA in their respective degree programs. Students must also have successfully completed 18 hours of 100-level or higher coursework, have a GPA of 3.6 or higher, and be in good standing or have successfully completed the program within the current academic year.

Congratulations to the award recipients for 2024-2025:

Agribusiness Technology                                       Kelsey Graham

Basic Law Enforcement                                          Zechariah Dobson

Basic Law Enforcement                                          Zachary Smirlock

Basic Law Enforcement                                          Steven Mann

Basic Law Enforcement                                          Reid Robeson

Basic Law Enforcement                                          Kayla Hunter

Basic Law Enforcement                                          Johnmichael Hammer

Basic Law Enforcement                                          John Luciano

Basic Law Enforcement                                          Francisco Cardenas

Basic Law Enforcement                                          Dustin Hanna

Basic Law Enforcement                                          Brandyn Snyder

Basic Law Enforcement                                          Benjamin Elko

Basic Law Enforcement                                          Austin Jones

Criminal Justice Technology                                 Janet Quillin

Early Childhood Education                                    Danielle Hahn

Cosmetology                                                             Juliana Clark

Cosmetology                                                             Jaquisha Kee

Cosmetology                                                             Autumn Cartwright

Culinary Arts                                                             Jade Holland

Culinary Arts                                                             Gavin Rush

Academic Award – College and Career Readiness

The COA Academic Award in College and Career Readiness was presented to the student who has exhibited academic excellence, attendance, perseverance, and responsible leadership in class.

Congratulations to the award recipient for 2024-2025:

Scott Hassell

For information or media inquiries, contact Tammy W. Sawyer, COA Director of Communications and Marketing, at 252-335-0821 ext. 2420 or [email protected].