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Most people would struggle to balance a full-time job, college coursework and raising a young child. Jocelyn "Joy" Riley managed all three while earning a bachelor's degree from Western Carolina University and an associate degree from Central Piedmont Community College at the same time. 

Now, the working mother is back in the classroom pursuing a second associate degree, proving that determination and flexibility can turn even the busiest season of life into an opportunity for growth.

Originally from Atlanta, Joy began college in the traditional way at an institution in Georgia after she graduated from high school.

“I was a kid and I just wanted to kind of do my own thing,” she said. “I did not take anything serious, but as you grow up and time goes by, I said I want to finish my education. I made that a priority.”

She moved to the Charlotte area in 2014 when she got a job as a flight attendant and worked in the sky for six years. However, when the COVID pandemic deeply affected the airline industry, she decided it was time to do something different. She started as a bank teller and ultimately discovered an unexpected passion for fraud-related work.

"The research aspects of looking into people's transaction history, account habits and detecting fraud were really exciting for me,” Joy said.

With an interest in both finance and the legal system, it was around this time that she also decided to return to school.

“I went back to school in January 2022 and started taking classes at Central Piedmont later that year,” Joy said. “Western Carolina is a great university, but its distance-learning program didn’t offer everything I needed at the time. I began to take courses at Central Piedmont and loved it.”

As she neared her bachelor’s, supplemented by transferable Central Piedmont credits, she also learned from her Central Piedmont advisor that she was close to an associate degree. As a result, Joy earned both degrees concurrently in the spring of 2026, benefitting from the Reverse Transfer program. The program allows eligible students to combine credits from their university with those earned at Central Piedmont to complete an associate degree. 

To continue her education, Joy recently enrolled in the Paralegal Technology program at Central Piedmont. She hopes to eventually work in criminal law and focus on the research aspects of the profession. She comes by that interest naturally, with an attorney and judge in her family. 

The convenience and flexibility of Central Piedmont’s online system have helped Joy as she balances her job and the responsibilities of rearing a toddler. A Merancas Scholar, she has also worked closely with the Office of Financial Aid.

“The financial aid department will really work with you to try to find the best option to help you because they want you to succeed,” Joy said. “They want you to take your classes and get your degree and do whatever it is that you need to do.”

While Joy is undeniably driven, she also notes the importance of self-care. In fact, as a karaoke fan, she made time to go to karaoke nights once or twice a month to offset some of the pressure from school as she earned her first set of degrees.

In the future, she wants to stay connected to the Central Piedmont community through the Alumni Leadership Council and hopes her story can inspire others.

“I would like to take advantage of an opportunity to pay it forward, pass it on, because there are so many people in the same situation I am,” Joy said. “They have families; they're taking care of little ones while trying to log in to classes. I want to be part of something that encourages and inspires.”

The first college commencement Akai Martin ever attended happened when his aunt graduated from Columbia University. She had started as a community college student and ultimately made her way to the Ivy League. Akai, inspired by her journey, knew he wanted to follow the same path.

Now, he has made that dream a reality. He graduated from Central Piedmont Community College in the spring of 2026 with an Associate in Arts degree before transferring to Yale. Along the way, he became Central Piedmont’s Student Government Association (SGA) president while serving as an Air Force reservist. 

“I wanted to go to a community college that's investing in its students and a campus that is beautiful as well,” Akai said.

Born in North Carolina, Akai spent much of his youth in Lauderhill, Florida, between West Palm Beach and Miami. Four years ago, he returned to the Tar Heel State when his family relocated to the Charlotte area. 

“I had my eyes on Central Piedmont for a while, even before I'd actually come to North Carolina, because I knew my family was moving,” he said. “I thought, ‘This is the perfect campus.’” 

Akai served as the SGA president from August 2025 through May 2026 with the goal to “bring community to community college.” With his outgoing and gregarious personality, he met and connected with many people throughout the college, helping to start around 15 clubs in a semester. He also represented the student body as an ex officio board member on the Board of Trustees.

“I really value learning how to be a leader,” Akai said. “Leadership is something I want to pursue, and I want to lead in the political space specifically. I felt it was important to build those skills at community college.”

Although Akai is the consummate example of a leader, for several years after graduating from high school he struggled to find direction. As a result, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. 

“I joined the Air Force for a multitude of reasons,” Akai said. “One of them was financial security and being able to pay for college. I also joined to gain discipline in myself. I feel like I wasn't a very disciplined person before the military. I didn't really have a foundation. I joined to get a foundation and to be able to tell my mom, ‘I'm doing something with my life.’”

Akai has served as a reservist for about four years. During his time at Central Piedmont, he spent one weekend a month traveling to Virginia for the military. He holds the rank of Senior Airman (E-4) and also credits his service for developing his leadership qualities. 

He was involved with Military Families and Veterans Services at Central Piedmont, connecting with fellow members of the armed forces. He helped several students join the Air Force and aided other service members with understanding the financial and personal resources available as they navigated the college.

Akai, who is fond of superheroes and trying cuisines from around the world, has made an indelible mark on Central Piedmont. He encourages students to join clubs and make connections, noting there are opportunities for traditional students and adult learners alike. Across the board, he calls Central Piedmont “just financially smart,” whether it is a starting point or a destination.

At Yale, Akai will study political science and hopes to play a key role in student government. He was drawn to the university’s reputation for turning out some of the world’s most impressive figures, ranging from U.S. presidents and Supreme Court justices to film directors.

“If you have a dream and you stick to it, it’s accomplishable,” he said. “I've been saying I've wanted to do this for a very long time. I've told my family, I've told my friends, I've told people at Central Piedmont. It’s one thing to imagine it and dream it. It's another thing for it to actually happen.”

Back in 2013, David Svoboda built his first 3D printer during a STEM summer camp at Central Piedmont. His photo was even featured in the camp’s marketing materials the following year. 

Fast forward more than a decade, and David is an engineering student at the college. And he is still passionate about 3D printing work. In fact, it has now even taken him abroad. 

“My passion for 3D printing basically started here,” said the Charlotte native.

He’s come full circle, but his interest in engineering began in his youth as he played with Legos and experimented with circuits and electronic boards. He was also involved with robotics in elementary and middle school, participated in vocational activities like SkillsUSA and became well-rounded through Future Business Leaders of America.

He comes by his interests honestly. His mom earned a Ph.D. in robotics engineering, and his dad works in business with a technical focus.

David graduated from high school in 2022, but after the COVID era, he found himself burned out.

“I had a passion for learning, personal development and tinkering with things,” he said. “But I was like, ‘I don’t think I’m ready for school. I kind of just want to figure some things out first.’” 

He worked at an automotive shop for a year, where he saw how engineers communicate with technicians to troubleshoot problems. He then decided to follow an engineering path.

“I like tinkering on the side, but I love to apply the thinking,” he said. “So, I gravitated more from a vocational, technical aspect to a passion for the theory and things behind it.”

He chose to start his college career at Central Piedmont to build a foundation before transferring to a four-year institution after he graduates in December 2026.

“I think the biggest benefit of being here is the class size and closeness to instructors,” he said of his Central Piedmont experience. “By the end, you’re in a class with eight or 12 people and the instructor.”

David feels learning is easier when he is comfortable. Those types of close relationships provided him the opportunity to undertake a six-month research internship at ENSAM-ParisTech in France, facilitated by Dr. Hisham A. Abdel-Aal, chair of the Mechanical Engineering Technology program at Central Piedmont. ENSAM is one of the world's top technical institutions with more than 70 partnerships around the globe. It was founded on a principal like Central Piedmont’s — linking theoretical knowledge to hands-on skill. David completed two interviews before being chosen for the program.

At the French institution, located in the town of Châlons-en-Champagne in the eastern part of the country, David stayed in the dorms on campus. He was also sponsored by ENSAM as he participated in several European scientific and industrial research symposiums and conferences, even spontaneously co-leading a segment on 3D printing at one event to assist a colleague presenting remotely.

During his time overseas, David earned praise from faculty and industry colleagues for his technical abilities and potential. Several encouraged him to continue building his research and scientific expertise as a foundation for a successful engineering career.

“I learned a whole lot about the research process, but I also got a lot of industry experience,” he said. 

David, who has dual American and Czech citizenship, is considering returning to Europe to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a college in the Netherlands. He is not sure yet what path he will pursue. He is passionate about mechanical engineering and has considered working in the automotive or motorsports industries, which could also lead to work in manufacturing or design. But with a mind for business, he is thinking about an industrial engineering track as well.

He notes the importance of learning a little bit about a variety of concepts and disciplines, something he has taken advantage of at Central Piedmont. He encourages other engineering students to do the same.

“It’s helped me not only make connections with folks, but the younger you get started with branching out and networking and connecting with people in different disciplines, the more opportunities you'll have in the future and the more impressive you look,” he said.

David, a welcoming and outgoing presence, is passionate about not just engineering but authentic connections. He works as a TA in the Fab Lab at Central Piedmont to further his own knowledge and help other students succeed as well. He has also built a community of like-minded people in the lab and across the college.

“It’s truly fun to have potentially lifelong connections,” he said. “I feel like these people will be in my life for as long as possible.”

Since building his first 3D printer at Central Piedmont, so too has the college remained a constant in his life.

There are few who love learning as much as Deninne Pritchett. Deninne is committed to helping students reach their full potential. She does so by drawing from a wealth of personal experience, having gone from a student who struggled to get started, to a leader at Central Piedmont Community College and beyond.

She has been teaching at the college for nearly 10 years and is also an alumna. She holds bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees, serves as the faculty director for Central Piedmont’s Truist Honors Program and is a Fulbright Specialist.

“I continued through school for 15 years straight, and I decided when I was a student here that I wanted to come back and work at Central Piedmont,” she said.

Yet her path was not linear. She first enrolled at the college in 2000 and dropped out the same semester.

“Once I started to recognize that it was about the transformational process of learning and that you could gain more out of the process rather than focusing on the end result or the outcome, I started to understand what higher education offered,” she said.

Deninne noticed that “the vibe was different” at Central Piedmont. In fact, after she dropped out, instructors took a personal interest in her, calling and emailing and encouraging her to return. Although she wasn’t quite ready to come back, she decided that when she did, she knew where it would be.

When she resumed her academic career in 2007, she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do but knew that she would earn her degree at Central Piedmont. She took some sociology and psychology courses, and after earning her Associate in Arts degree, she went on to obtain advanced degrees at Grand Canyon University. She also earned her Ph.D. in psychology with an emphasis on cognition and instruction from Grand Canyon.

Along the way, Deninne began work in professional development and as an instructional assistant at Central Piedmont. She spent time as an adjunct, full-time instructor, department chair and faculty fellow while serving on several committees aimed at advancing the college's strategic vision. 

Today, she is an associate professor of psychology, in addition to the founding faculty director of the Truist Honors Program.

The program is entering its fourth year and is designed for students who Deninne calls “finishers,” individuals who are motivated to fully complete a task once started. It was something Deninne felt was a perfect fit for her to helm. With her leadership and guidance, driven individuals have received prestigious awards, attended renowned conferences, and won numerous competitions. 

Deninne also does important work in education globally as part of the Fulbright Specialist Program, an international exchange sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. 

A Fulbright Specialist is one of approximately 400 experts across the country, selected for their specific expertise in an area. Deninne’s was in education. Although the program has an acceptance rate of 20%, Deninne was determined to be part of it.

“I made up my mind that I was going to apply, and I was going to succeed,” she said.

Deninne’s project was with Universidad Mayor de San Francisco Xavier in Bolivia, working to modernize its 20-year-old psychology curriculum. She helped the school focus on real-world application and career readiness, while also helping the institution understand how the curriculum connects to its local community and the world at large.

After collaborating with the university for a year online, Deninne spent two and a half weeks in Bolivia in February.

Outside of her academic roles, Deninne is a theme park enthusiast, and she spends significant free time working on self-development. She does so as she continuously works to help develop others.

Whether locally or overseas, she partners, collaborates and works tirelessly with colleagues to develop curricula, as well as students and faculty in their own pursuits. 

“If we can convince students to believe or we can get students to recognize their own greatness, they can be anything that they want to be,” Deninne said. “Whatever they set their mind to, whatever their goals are, they can achieve those. It's about helping them unleash that greatness even when they don't yet recognize it exists.”

It’s the same mindset that has carried Deninne from a student unsure of her path to leading the college’s most high-achieving students and providing curriculum expertise on a global scale.

When Khushi Bhatia was little in Mumbai, India, her mother often used a phrase encouraging her to find her own unique pathway. The phrase was: “Hume baki bhed bakriyo ki tarah nahi banna,” literally meaning, “Don’t be like the sheep that follow each other into a ditch.”

That advice stuck with Khushi throughout her life. Her path led her to serve as a student commencement speaker at Central Piedmont Community College in spring 2026. 

Khushi was part of the middle college program at Central Piedmont’s Levine Campus, letting her earn her high school diploma from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) and an Associate in Arts degree at the same time. That is further proof Khushi is charting her own course as she prepares to transfer to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to study computer science. In addition to her associate degree, Khushi received a Business Analytics certificate from Central Piedmont.

“[Middle college] prepared me a lot,” she said. “Currently I’m still at home and have my parents to guide me. However, at Central Piedmont, I've experienced the rigor of college coursework and faculty expectations earlier than my peers.”

After spending her earliest days in India, Khushi’s father’s job brought her to North America. She has lived in New Jersey, West Virginia, Michigan and Canada, and has been in Charlotte for the past eight years. In fact, she attended eight different schools, at first trying to fit in at each. But her mother’s words resonated, and at Central Piedmont, she found a home.

“This place is special,” she said during her speech at the afternoon commencement ceremony. “It brings together people from different backgrounds, different responsibilities, and different goals — but with one shared determination: to grow.”

Khushi grew up around technology, with her father serving as a software consultant, and was inspired by his work. But more than anything, she is simply fascinated by computer science and the possibilities it holds.
 
“Now that there's AI and all this new technology out there, it's just really exciting,” she said.

Never one to shy away from trying new things, the opportunity to attend middle college and take college classes also excited Khushi.

She acknowledges that changing from a traditional high school to the middle college model was a bit daunting at first. However, she soon felt comfortable, understanding that everyone was there to help.
 
“As I went along and I tried to get to know people, it felt a lot better, and now I'm really happy that I'm a part of the Central Piedmont community,” she said.

Khushi was also pleasantly surprised to find a wide range of clubs and activities across Central Piedmont. She was part of several extracurricular activities during her time at the college, highlighted by serving as a tutor and peer mentor. As a Mu Alpha Theta member, she tutored elementary students in math. Plus, as co-president of the Peer Mentoring Club, she assisted incoming high school juniors in registering for classes at CMS and Central Piedmont while helping them get acclimated to Levine Campus.

“My family really values knowledge and education,” Khushi said. “It’s really nice to share your knowledge with somebody else because it doesn’t decrease your own knowledge. It actually increases it because you get to meet new people. Maybe they will tell you something new that you didn’t know about.

“Also, I am a pretty empathetic individual ... I like to put myself in somebody else’s shoes.”

Besides tutoring and peer mentoring work, Khushi has been involved in the community as part of the Chick-fil-A Leaders Academy and the yearbook club, and as co-president of both the International Club and Levine Lift and Learn.

As part of the International Club, she was heavily involved in planning the organization’s International Festival. 

“It’s just really cool to see different cultures and countries come together and to learn about new things,” she said.

Khushi’s desire to try something new was also the driving force behind her interest in serving as a commencement speaker.

"It’s a really big honor,” she said. “But it was also a way for me to try a new experience because I’ve never done something like that.” 

Khushi has already accomplished a great deal in just a few years. But there is still much more for her to do. She credits Central Piedmont and the middle college program with providing a foundation for her life and future career. She leaned on advisors and faculty, all of whom provided guidance and suggestions. Plus, she made plenty of new friends.
 
“What I love most about Central Piedmont is the big, supportive community,” she said.

It’s a community she has embraced while always finding her own way.

Although she grew up in West Palm Beach, Florida, Grace Melvin is a big New York Yankees fan. She inherited her baseball fandom from her father, who originally hails from southwest Connecticut. In a way, that shared love led her to study Broadcasting and Production Technology at Central Piedmont.

“I started making videos for him for his birthday every year; they were short films,” Grace said of the projects, which featured many Yankees references. “Every year I kept realizing, maybe I do like filmmaking, and maybe I could do this as a career.”

Her dad also studied journalism in college, furthering Grace’s interest in communications and related industries. Her parents’ jobs brought her to the Charlotte area around 10 years ago, and Grace is on a steady path toward making a living in the communications world. As part of her journey, she served as one of the commencement speakers during the college’s spring 2026 ceremonies. 

“Central Piedmont does something incredibly special,” she said during the morning commencement. “It takes students who feel uncertain, overlooked or behind, and it gives them the space to lead and prove that they are capable of so much more than a GPA or a past mistake. I am standing here today as proof of that.”

Grace was unsure of herself and her grades after high school, and struggled at a previous institution, but found her voice and direction at Central Piedmont.

She was a marshal for the December 2025 commencement event and was inspired by speaker Kristen Alvarado Sorto’s speech. As a result, Grace wanted to represent her graduating class, area of study and the student groups she’s been part of.

Grace has been part of a lot at Central Piedmont, but it was the grounds of Central Campus itself that made the first impression.

“Central Piedmont had the major that I was looking for, and I took a tour of it, and I was just so surprised at how beautiful the campus was,” she said.

Knowing she wanted to transfer to a four-year school, Grace enrolled at Central Piedmont to earn a solid foundation while taking advantage of the college’s affordable costs. She learned from faculty and staff who took a personal interest in her development, goals and ambitions. Plus, she was involved in numerous clubs and organizations.

Among her roles was serving as the vice president of communications for the Phi Theta Kappa honor society where she recapped meetings, sent out reminder communications, helped with induction ceremonies and made flyers. Wanting to give back to the community, she was also part of Rotaract Club at Central Piedmont and participated in wide-ranging community-service events. 

One of Grace’s proudest achievements at the college was founding the Central Campus Film Society. In fact, she had the opportunity to graduate the previous semester but chose not to because she wanted to get the film society up and running. It was the first time she had ever built something from the ground up.

“It’s been amazing being able to see so many people come together and see friendships form because of a shared love for film,” she said.

Grace will transfer to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where she plans to double major in film and communications. She would like to get a master’s degree in communications at some point as well.

She’s not yet sure what path she would like to take; it could be working for an outlet like ESPN, or working behind the camera as a cinematographer on a film set.

“I just know that I want to be successful,” she said.

Central Piedmont helped plant those seeds of success for Grace, who was also a Merancas Scholar.

Her advice to others is simple: Utilize everything the college has to offer.

“Take advantage of the resources that are available to you on campus and get involved in student groups, student life,” she said. “It'll really change your college experience.”

It was an experience that all started with a simple birthday gift.

When Debbie Riley began the Nondestructive Examination Technology program at Central Piedmont Community College, she became the fourth generation in her family to pursue a career in the field.

“It's really cool to be able to continue this family legacy and not just in the way of, my family did it, so I need to do it, too,” Debbie said. “I’m really interested in this stuff.”

Nondestructive examination — sometimes referred to as nondestructive testing — is a technique of using high-tech methods to check the structural integrity of materials, parts or systems without taking them apart. It’s a way to ensure infrastructure and builds are intact without destroying metals or welds.

Debbie’s great-grandfather on her mother’s side, Thomas Kirk, worked in NDE in the navy, achieving Level III status — the highest certification available. He influenced his daughter, Deborah, (Debbie’s grandmother) to enter the field as well. She had a Level II certification and discovered interest in quality assurance work, eventually founding and running a quality assurance consulting company in the nuclear power industry. 

Deborah’s daughter, Frances Faulkenberg (Debbie’s mother), helped her run the operation for many years, starting in the early 2000s. Today Frances works at a company that provides pipe systems for the nuclear and aerospace industries, among others. She is a quality engineering technician and working to become a certified quality engineer.

"Having a grandmother and a mom that have been in this industry, they've instilled that quality mindset into me,” Debbie said. “I'm a very detail-oriented, meticulous person. I think this is kind of perfect for those types of personality traits.”  

Debbie is originally from Orlando, Florida, and has long been interested in science and mechanics. She was dually enrolled in high school and earned 20 college credits before graduating with a 3.9 GPA. 

However, when she started college, she was unsure of what she wanted to do. Without a specific direction or goal, she dropped out. She first moved from Florida to Highlands, North Carolina, and lived with her grandmother. But missing city life, she moved to Charlotte nearly three years ago.

Debbie has been working in a restaurant for the last handful of years as an administrative assistant, manager, server and bartender. Still, in the back of her mind, she always wanted to go back to school and pursue something with more financial and scheduling stability.

After talking with her mom and grandmother, and doing copious amounts of research, Debbie decided to follow the NDE path. 

“I was doing a lot of research on NDE in general and just seeing where I could learn that,” Debbie said. “My mom pointed out that Central Piedmont has a great, renowned program. And it was right down the road from my house.

“It’s affordable, too, which is also really good for someone like me that's independent, works full-time and needs money to pay my bills as well as school.”

Debbie, the oldest of six children, a weightlifter and a voracious reader, is currently in her first semester attending Central Piedmont part-time. She plans to begin in a full-time capacity over the summer and will graduate with her associate degree in May 2028. 

Debbie explains that for each method of examination, she and her classmates spend two days a week in class, with the first focused on lecture and theory and the second spent in the lab.

“We’re able to input the theory and be hands-on, which I think is super important because the field is so detail-oriented,” Debbie said.

She plans to get her first certification in the fall, allowing her to begin work as a trainee in Liquid Penetrant and Visual Testing. She hopes to graduate with at least one Level II certification and, like her great-grandfather, wants to get to Level III as often as possible. 

Debbie’s dream is to work in a lab in the nuclear industry, explaining it is the next generation of energy as natural resources diminish.

However, NDE opens a world of possibilities.

“It’s a lucrative, growing field,” Debbie said. “You will always have a job, and it's not just in nuclear, like what I want to do. It's in aerospace, it's in infrastructure. You can work anywhere.”

Her family has proven that fact, and now Debbie is setting out to carry on her family’s legacy while making a name for herself.

A few years ago, Jay Driver downloaded the Duolingo app to learn French. Soon after, he remembers telling a colleague that if Central Piedmont Community College ever offered a student trip to France, he would love to go. 

As fate would have it, when the next semester started, he immediately saw the opportunity to visit Bordeaux as part of the Center for Global Engagement’s study abroad program during spring break in March 2026.

Jay took the trip. It was the first time he had been abroad.

“I learned a lot about myself,” Jay said. “I learned that I am willing to put myself in a position where I am uncomfortable, where things are uncertain, and I can find a way to maneuver through it and enjoy that uncertainty. 

“But I also learned a lot about French history. I learned about their commerce and their experiences during wars. It was a very educational trip. And I made a lot of new friends.”

Jay was born in Atlanta and also spent time in New York City before relocating to Charlotte 10 years ago. He graduated from high school in 2016 and entered the workforce. Although he appreciated earning money, he found himself unfulfilled, feeling work was just a “time-filler.”

He ultimately decided he wanted more stability, and a friend suggested Central Piedmont kick off his higher education career. He began in summer 2024 and is currently wrapping up his last semester studying toward an Associate in Arts degree in communication.

“Initially, I thought Central Piedmont was huge,” Jay said. “I'd never been on a college campus. But as far as the culture, it was very welcoming. Everybody was eager to help me find my way here, so that was my first impression.”

In many ways, Jay chose to study communications to grow as a person.

"I've not always been the greatest communicator,” he said. “I have been a very timid speaker, very shy, but I do have a personal interest in people, and so I learned that communication is a great way to learn more about myself and others.” 

Upon graduation, he will transfer to UNC Charlotte to study communications and psychology, with the eventual goal of getting a master’s degree in psychology and a Ph.D. in communications. He then hopes to move into communications research. 

He credits Central Piedmont with molding him.

“My best experience has been all of my instructors,” Jay said. “My instructors have been pivotal in my education. They have taken a great interest in me, but they have also helped me take a greater interest in myself.”

Among the interests they took was in Jay’s leadership qualities. Wanting to spread his wings and get more involved on campus, he gave student government a try. Today he serves as the college’s public information officer. 

Jay also took away lessons from his France trip related to his communications studies. In particular, he notes the importance of understanding the nuances of culture. What is common knowledge in one may not be in another. However, there is also much to be shared.

“I learned a lot about building relationships with people who live within a different culture and finding not only fun differences, but a lot of key similarities between us as well,” Jay said.

The students who participated in the study abroad activities were required to take a corresponding eight-week course, Intro to Communication. As part of the program, Dr. Owen Sutkowski of Central Piedmont partnered with Professor Thierry Villiard, a language teacher at the University of Bordeaux. This partnership gave the Central Piedmont communications students and engineering students overseas an opportunity to bridge not only their cultures, but also to share aspects of their academic studies.

Jay and his classmates partnered with the French students to apply communication theories. From scheduling online meetings to discuss projects (despite a six-hour time difference) to learning time management and delegation of tasks, the students created a strong sense of teamwork, a shared work ethic and a sense of understanding.

The students created a presentation on their experiences working together prior to meeting in France in March. They discussed topics such as the importance of respect during feedback, how identity influences participation and response time. This allowed Jay to be more present and aware of his communication style. He also was able to better understand the lessons from the eight-week course while sharpening his career-readiness skills.

To help get him to France, Jay earned a study abroad scholarship offered through the Center for Global Engagement. To do so required a specific GPA, letters of recommendation and multiple essays. He notes it would have been impossible to make the trip without the financial assistance it provided. The Center for Global Engagement also offered pre-departure meetings, preparation, support and guidance throughout the experience, ensuring Jay had a productive and educational trip.

Jay’s support system is far-reaching, but starts with his mother, who raised four children, and whom he explains made many sacrifices to see her children succeed. Now, he is happy to repay the favor.

Jay also says Central Piedmont has helped countless other students along the path to success by offering so many opportunities and unwavering support in a diverse setting. For Jay, one of these opportunities was the chance to study in a foreign country.

"If you have the dream, if you have the desire to study abroad, Central Piedmont and the Center for Global Engagement will support you in every way that they can,” he said. “All you have to do is take the first step and apply.”

Now, Jay hopes his story is an inspiration for others to succeed in their dreams as well.

Sometimes fate puts you in the right place at the right time. For Allison Greenwalt, simply providing a tour of Central Piedmont Community College’s Harper Campus led her to a career as an electrical lineworker.

Allison had been studying welding for a year and working toward an associate degree at Central Piedmont when she was asked to show a group of charter school students the different programs the college has to offer.

“That's when I learned about the lineworker program,” Allison said. “Sitting there listening to what all these different classes are about, something sparked whenever [the lineworking instructors] and students were talking about it.”

Seeing their passion and excitement led Allison to believe it was something she could love as well. She soon began the 16-week program. 

“Four months is nothing compared to a lifetime of opportunity,” Allison said.

Born in Chicago, Allison moved to the Charlotte area with her family when she was about five years old. She grew up in Matthews, N.C., a Charlotte suburb.

After starting college and making the switch from welding, Allison graduated from Central Piedmont’s line worker program in December 2024. During her time at the school, she spent Monday–Thursday at Harper Campus covering the basics of linework in the classroom and learning how to climb. 

"They just want to make sure you really have climbing down, because climbing is one of your basic fundamentals that you have to know when you do line work,” Allison said.

She then spent Fridays at Merancas Campus training to get her CDL.

A catalyst for the program was a $500,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation, which helped Central Piedmont launch and equip the training program at its Harper Campus. The partnership ensures students train using industry-standard equipment and reflects a shared commitment to developing a skilled, local workforce for the Carolinas.

Through its vast network of relationships, a variety of companies spoke with students on campus, and Allison soon secured a job with Williams Electric — a Duke Energy contractor.

She currently works as a groundman as part of a six-person crew.

"My main job is making sure my lineman (Travis) is safe, that everything he does is safe, and that he has all the materials he needs,” Allison said. “All of us on the ground are watching the worker in the bucket because in this line of work, safety is everything.”

While she and her team work on specific sites day-to-day, during a storm she may need to be ready to work at all times, even if she isn’t technically on call.

As she progresses, Allison will be able to test to move up the ranks as her team feels she is ready.

"What makes or breaks the day truly is your crew,” she said. “My crew has been so accepting of me, not only as a woman, but as someone who’s also younger than them.”

She sees their passion and enthusiasm for the job, and it makes her feel the same way. Additionally, her lineman, Travis, takes special care to teach her every day.

“I can come into work and just have such a great mentality because I know I'm not the only one who wants to be there,” Allison said. 

She’d love to see more women get involved in the profession, and she speaks highly of all Central Piedmont has to offer. 

“The facilities and the dedication the instructors have to help you to pass is just amazing,” she said. “I never thought a community college could have this level of opportunities and resources.”

As a first-generation graduate of Central Piedmont Community College, Jeffreia Pitt feels like she broke “a generational curse” when she earned her Associate in Applied Science degree in criminal justice technology in December 2025.

“Neither one of my parents graduated from college, but they did land careers that helped support me and my brothers,” said Jeffreia, the mother of four boys. “None of my brothers went to college, but I did have a brother who attempted to go. So, this is a big deal because I broke a generational curse being 39 years old, not stopping and keeping my eye on the prize, and just staying focused.

“I hope to be able to do something that will encourage my sons to go off and do great things.”

The next generation is already on its way, as Jeffreia’s oldest son also recently graduated from Central Piedmont.

Jeffreia — who grew up with four brothers — is originally from Rocky Mount, N.C., but was raised in Charlotte. She has always enjoyed working with children and got her credentials in Early Childhood Education shortly after high school. She worked in daycares and even ran one out of her home for a while, providing meals and transportation. She also drove a school bus for six and a half years.

In 2023, she felt called to make a change and her path led her to Central Piedmont. 

“I've always been very passionate about children and just standing up and doing what's right,” she said. “When I came to Central Piedmont, I shared with one of the academic advisors some of my passions. The advisor was the one who felt like Criminal Justice Technology would be a good major for me to get into.”

Her history of working with children and studying criminal justice led an advisor to suggest she serve as a guardian ad litem, a person appointed by the court to investigate and represent the best interests of children. 

“I was able to write documents where I represented dependent, abused, and neglected children,” she said. “I actually wrote a document for a judge where she found no objections. It was the first document that was completed for this particular family involving three children, and I was the one who got the process rolling to make sure the kids were in a safe environment.”

Jeffreia speaks highly of the Criminal Justice Technology program at the college, believing the structure and lessons helped shape her.

“It helped condition and discipline me because before I came to Central Piedmont, I was not the woman that I am today,” she said.

In addition to her advisors and program instructors, Jeffreia also received support from the college in several ways to help ease her financial burden. She was awarded three separate scholarships and was part of TRIO Student Support Services for first-generation students. She believes her journey would have been a lot harder without TRIO support.

“The TRIO program really helped me a lot with tutoring, counseling and making sure that I graduated on time,” Jeffreia said. 

She also utilized services offered by Single Stop, a program providing financial assistance and emergency grants, legal and wellness support, resource referrals, tax assistance and more.

Jeffreia’s career path is still developing, as she is considering paralegal work or working as a probation officer. She was also recently accepted at UNC Charlotte. Regardless of where she ends up, Central Piedmont has provided her with a solid foundation for years to come.

“One day, maybe you'll see your next attorney,” she said.