Wanda Waite lives a life of service

With 24 years of military service, Wanda Waite knows firsthand the challenges military members and their families face. Now, as she pursues an associate degree in information technology at Central Piedmont Community College, she draws on that experience to support others through her work in Military Families and Veterans Services.

She can easily put herself in the shoes of veterans, including those navigating college for the first time.

"Someone who's lived that life understands the things you deal with in the military that maybe a regular civilian wouldn't," Wanda said.  "I think it helps to have that perspective to know you're not on your own."

Originally from Columbus, Georgia, Wanda grew up in numerous locations as her stepfather served in the U.S. Army. Wanda participated in JROTC in high school, but when she attended college at Alabama’s Tuskegee University, she thought military life might not be for her. She instead focused on her education and earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering.

She eventually moved to Washington, D.C. After several years in engineering, she became interested in the government sector and enlisted in the D.C. National Guard, hoping to further her career that way. Across her 24 years in the service, Wanda has spent two in the Guard and 22 in the U.S. Army Reserve.

A month before her oldest son was born, she moved to Charlotte, looking to be closer to family in Georgia. She later got a master’s degree in environmental management from the University of Maryland.

When Wanda decided to make a career pivot from the geotechnical engineering firm where she was working, she became interested in data analytics. After praying about her next step, she had a dream about technology and computers that helped give her direction. 

At first, she took some classes on her own, but after learning Central Piedmont had a program that fit her interests, she enrolled. She notes that both the scheduling flexibility, with online and in-person offerings, and the accountability of pursuing a degree were major factors in her decision.

She began at the college in March 2024 and will graduate in December 2026. Wanda’s two sons are also attending Central Piedmont, but she will graduate before them.

"I had some difficult summers trying to do the military and trying to go to class," Wanda said. "But the instructors are wonderful. They work with me."

Wanda, who is first sergeant of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 457th Chemical Battalion, in the U.S. Army Reserve, is considering working for a nonprofit after graduation, explaining she likes to serve others. She currently does so both through her work in the military and in Military Families and Veterans Services at Central Piedmont.

She first visited the department to register for a class and soon took a job in the office as a work-study student. She’s been working part time since just before the fall 2026 semester began.

The department helps guide veterans, active-duty service members and dependent family members on how to use VA benefits, while also offering support on transitioning to civilian life and adjusting to college. Staff members also know about military terminology that employees in other parts of the college might not understand.

"I think something like this is so needed," Wanda said. "I just think it's good to know that you can go somewhere and somebody's going to be sympathetic to you as a person. You're not just a number or a dollar sign."

From military service to working in chemical engineering to taking classes at Central Piedmont, Wanda has amassed a wealth of life experience and a perspective that can only come with time.

"I would tell my younger self, 'Everything will work out; stop stressing over everything,'" Wanda said. “Enjoy life.”

Today, Wanda is putting that perspective to work, helping other military-connected students worry a little less about what comes next.