Tag Archives: EDI

Diversity Week Spotlight: Rosalynn Hoang

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Rosalynn

Name 
Rosalynn Hoang

Classification 
Staff

If you are an employee, in what area do you work?
Procurement

How long have you been at Central Piedmont?
11 years

What is your favorite part of Central Piedmont?
Central Piedmont provides so many opportunities that support growth (academically, personally, career-wise, etc.) and wants all of its students and employees to succeed.

What country are you originally from or your home country?
Vietnam

Please share anything you would like others to know about your native country or your experience living there.
Vietnam has beautiful landscapes. The people are warm, friendly, respectful, and the cuisine is superb.

How long have you been in the United States?
44 years

What is your favorite experience or memory since being in the United States?
Watching my kids perform in marching/concert bands and cheering on Clemson Tigers with my family.

How do you like to spend your free time? What are your hobbies? What is a fun fact about you?
I love to spend time with my family. My hobbies are gardening and learning a new language. Fun fact about me: When we got to the U.S., my family opened a very small restaurant in a small town in Illinois with the intention of being a quick service restaurant. It became so popular and grew into a fine dining establishment even hosting celebrities and CEO’s. In fact, the joint venture agreement between John Deere and Hitachi was signed there over some delicious Vietnamese egg rolls. 🙂

What else would you like others to know about you or about your life experiences?
I grew up surrounded by the war in Vietnam. I escaped communism hiding in a fishing boat in the middle of the night. I came to America empty handed and I appreciate its endless opportunities and its efforts to embrace diversity.

Diversity Week Spotlight: Phetsakone Allen

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Phetsakone Allen

Name
Phetsakone Allen

Classification
Staff

If you are an employee, in what area do you work?
Academic Affairs: Business, Technology & Engineering

How long have you been at Central Piedmont?
14 years

What is your favorite part of Central Piedmont?
As an employee of Central Piedmont, my favorite part is the beautiful architectural Central Campus. Central Campus is architecturally beautiful and modern. I appreciate the one free class per semester. I work with some awesome colleagues. I know that if I ever need anything, I can call on them to help me out.

What country are you originally from or your home country? *
Laos

Please share anything you would like others to know about your native country or your experience living there.
Laos is called the “Land of a Million Elephants,” and is famous for its amazing scenery, ethnic villages, and unexplored lands. Southeast Asia’s most spectacular waterfalls, including Tad Fane and Dong Hua Sao is best known. 4) Laos’s mystery “Plain of Jars” was discovered in 1930 by a French archaeologist Madeleine Colan. It is about 500 square mile, diamond-shaped region in northern Laos. 5) Laos is about 8,619 miles from Charlotte, N.C.

According to “Secret War” in Laos By: http://legaciesofwar.org/about-laos/secret-war-laos/,  from 1964 to 1973, the U.S. dropped more than two million tons of ordnance on Laos during 580,000 bombing missions—equal to a planeload of bombs every 8 minutes, 24-hours a day, for 9 years – making Laos the most heavily bombed country per capita in history. When the Americans withdrew from Laos in 1973, hundreds of thousands of refugees fled the country, and many of them ultimately resettled in the United States. That is how I ended up here in North Carolina.

How long have you been in the United States? *
34 years

What is your favorite experience or memory since being in the United States? *
Favorite experience: My first experience with snow. We don’t have snow in Laos. I didn’t know what it was. I remembered waking up one morning seeing the white stuff outside the apartment. I got my brothers ready, and we walked to school like we do routinely. Of course, we tried to figure out what the white and wet stuff was. When we made it to school, all the buildings were locked, and we couldn’t get in. We frantically walk around and tried to open different doors. I cried. My brothers cried. We thought we were late for school and got locked out. As we walked back home disappointed in ourselves, we thought that now our parents were going to punish us for being late and not able to attend school. Later that night, when my parents arrived home, they told us they knew about the snow and that we didn’t have school because their co-workers had explain to them. We didn’t get punished.

How do you like to spend your free time? What are your hobbies? What is a fun fact about you?
My free time is spent watching my boys playing tennis, football, basketball, and baseball. I also enjoy kayak and camping. My hobbies are tennis, kayak, camping, dragon boat race and attending festivals with food and dancing.

Fun fact 1: Love to dance especially breakdancing. I was in a breakdancing crew call the “Unexpected Guest.” We performed at the UNCC arts festival. I had a paid gig to breakdance at Fat Tuesday

Fun fact 2: I’ve coordinated a team of 21 people to participate in the Dragon Boat Race Festival for the past six years. The Charlotte Dragon Boat Festival and Asian Festival will take place on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at Ramsey Creek Park on Lake Norman. So much fun! https://www.visitlakenorman.org/events/annual-events/asian-festival/

What else would you like others to know about you or about your life experiences?
I came to the U.S. with one outfit on, didn’t speak English at all, and a refugee status. I had three goals in mind then. First goal: I was determined to learn to speak, read, and write English. Second goal: to be become an American citizen. I applied for Naturalization, I studied hard, took the test, and passed; I am officially an American citizen. Third goal: to complete a degree. I work hard, study hard, I have earned four associate degrees at Central Piedmont, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Gardner-Webb University while working full-time. I didn’t do all this by myself, I am blessed with two precious boys and a loving and supportive husband. I am grateful for the second chance at life, freedom to choose, get educated, and achieved my goals. Thank you for this opportunity to share my story.

Diversity Week Spotlight: Zabathembu Mthembu

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Central Piedmont is excited to recognize and celebrate our international students, faculty, and staff who represent more than 152 countries. Read on to learn more about Zabathembu Mthembu, an international student at Central Piedmont.

photo of student Zabathembu MthembuWhat is your major/program of study at Central Piedmont?

Information Technology – Digital Forensics & Information Assurance

How long have you been at Central Piedmont?

2 years

What is your favorite part of Central Piedmont?

The students and staff.

What country are you originally from or your home country?

South Africa

Please share anything you would like others to know about your native country or your experience living there. 

Living and studying in America has been a dream come true. I’ve met amazing people here and I wouldn’t change a thing about my life here. I am grateful to be here and would love to stay longer and study more and make even more friends.

How long have you been in the United States?

4 years

What is your favorite experience or memory since being in the United States?

Traveling to different states, my favorite memory being going to Chicago and having deep dish pizza!!! Tasted and reminded me of the Triple decker pizza at Home.

How do you like to spend your free time? What are your hobbies? What is a fun fact about you?

I like to listen to music, go for long walks or drives. I’m a foodie so I love brunch and spending time with my friends and loved ones. Fun fact: I used to be a TV presenter and my big brother is a very famous Actor in South Africa.

What else would you like others to know about you or about your life experiences?

I am a lover of life, I’m a child of God Almighty! I’m a work in progress and I believe I will soon change the world! Watch the space

Celebrating HERstory: Nzingha Williams

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Nzingha WilliamsIntuitive. Bold. Empathic. These are three words that come to mind when describing Career and Technical Education Coordinator, Nzingha Williams. Every day Nzingha works with students of all ages to guide them on the pathway toward a career – whether they’re high school students looking for an apprenticeship or an adult looking to change careers.

“I do a lot of reflecting to make sure how I represent myself is what I want to put out into the world.  I would also describe myself as someone who does bold things – I do things boldly even in fear, even though I may be afraid. I don’t shy away from doing the hard things, but I try to do them in love and with compassion.”

Prior to working at Central Piedmont, she graduated from North Carolina State University with two bachelor’s degrees in psychology and criminology, as well as earning an MBA online. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Community College Leadership from NC State.

A pivotal moment that helped shape her was an undergraduate internship as a psychology major where her supervisor confronted her with an observation. After receiving rave reviews on her work ethic, she also heard “‘Nzingha, you’re too quiet. Your head is down in the work and you do the work well but I feel like you have a lot to say.” As a natural introvert, the feedback was a little bit off-putting at first. But that moment ultimately caused an awakening that helped Nzingha understand her words, thoughts, and objections add value. It was the epiphany she needed – the confirmation of ‘your voice matters’ forever changed her outlook and approach.

Nzingha shares that her mom is one of her personal role models who shaped the woman she is today. “She was a single mother and created a space for me where I could evolve. Her strength, her resilience, her intellect, and then also her ability to work with people. As I look back through my childhood, I don’t know how she did it – her strength, her resilience, her intellect, and then also her ability to work with people.” 

“My mom has [a] gift. Everybody loves her. People open up to her. People aren’t threatened by her and they feel at peace around her.  She has a way of loving people where they are and challenging them to come up to a level where she sees they need to be. Those are skills that I strive every day to possess. She’s a teacher, so she does that with her students and in her personal life.”

Every day Nzingha works to have the same positive impact on her students as her mother had on her life. Women in history often inspire – motivating others to pave the paths they choose to take. Nzingha also gleaned inspiration from a former boss who challenged her on a professional level but also poured into her on a personal level. Mentorship is powerful and those closest to us often make the most meaningful impact.

It is so important that we not only honor great women in history but also honor and recognize women we work with and see in our workplace every day. “Pay [women] what we are worth. But honor us in the positions that you give us,” Nzingha says, “that is how an institution can honor women more effectively and meaningfully.”

One of Nzingha’s favorite things to do when she needs motivation is to read the Bible or listen to music. Faith keeps her grounded and is a huge part of her identity. But, whether it’s old school gospel or crowd-favorite Rihanna – music also serves as a refuge and source of joy for Nzingha who’s been dancing since the age of four.  Fun fact – She was formally trained in jazz, ballet, and en pointe up until sixth grade but has spent the last couple of years studying liturgical dancing which is an expression of worship.

When asked about what final words to leave with our Central Piedmont community regarding Women’s History Month, she replies “Women go through a lot, we have to honor their sacrifices. We’ve all gone through so much in these last three years and that’s tough. I would encourage all of us to operate in a space of grace. We all are trying to do our best.”

Inclusive Leadership Keynote Conversation on February 10

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audience of studentsDeveloping spaces where we all feel valued and respected is vital to any strong leader. Please do not miss this week’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion event.  The Inclusive Leadership virtual keynote will raise awareness on why it is so important that we all are more intentional in creating and maintaining an inclusive culture. We will learn: 

  • What is the business imperative for inclusive leadership?
  • What are the key characteristics of an inclusive leader? 

This keynote is for everyone! Leadership is not tied to a formal position or title; therefore, we ALL can develop our capacity to be inclusive leaders.  Keynote participants are inspired to develop the skills of an inclusive leader.  Join us February 10th 10:00am to 11:30am. 

Register today and reserve your seat! 

 Harvey Gantt: A Story of Perseverance in Driving Change

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Harvey Gantt photo in front of colorful backdropJoin us on Thursday, Oct. 14; 1 – 2:30 p.m. for the Harvey Gantt: A Story of Perseverance in Driving Change.

In addition to being Charlotte’s first African-American mayor, Mr. Gantt was also the first African-American student at Clemson University. Join us as he reflects on his own journey, discusses the power of collaboration and allyship in creating change, and gives advice on how Central Piedmont can continue pushing forward in supporting our students and the Charlotte community.

Location:  Halton Theater in the Overcash Performing Arts Center on Central Campus.

Live streaming available on each campus. Space will be limited to ensure social distancing guidelines are followed.  Masks will be required at all of the events (both in-person and streamed). Register and reserve your seat today!

For more information, please contact David.Mahatha@cpcc.edu.