Meet Alicja Glapiak, an international student from Poland on a journey at Central Piedmont Community College. “I chose Central Piedmont because of the standards it presents in the Charlotte community and of the standards of the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program,” Alicja says.

The Central Piedmont campus for her, became a place where inspiration thrives. Alicja decided on a career she envisions as a means to connect and motivate people: “I chose the PTA field because I want to be the spark in people’s well-being, encouraging them to nurture their minds and bodies.” Central Piedmont provided more than classrooms; it offered Alicja a supportive community, vital for an international student: “I was given a safe community space, which for an international student might be difficult to find, and opportunities to learn hands-on skills to grow as a Healthcare Professional,” Alicja expresses.

“Something unique in my college journey is the inspiration I draw from my instructors. Their educational competence, humor, and real-world experience make me impatient and excited for my future as a Physical Therapist Assistant,” Alicja recalls. Conquering Possibility, for Alicja, is about embracing challenges and celebrating every step you take, towards the best version of yourself!

Advice to future Central Piedmont students: “Be mindful in your college experience, ask questions, explore new skills, and seek for your purpose in your future career.”

Central Piedmont Community College student Teren Wallace, a passionate and resilient individual fueled by self-belief and determination. Teren, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, found his calling in the world of Information Technology, a passion nurtured from childhood. His story is one of overcoming obstacles, embracing his uniqueness, and finding a supportive community at Central Piedmont.

From a young age, Teren had a knack for technology. “I learned how to install educational computer games when I was just six.  Working with electronics was my passion,” he shares. This passion led him to Central Piedmont, where he found a welcoming community that fostered his growth. “I’ve enjoyed meeting new people, making new friends. “I enjoy seeing how the college evolves and changes, and recalling what it was like when I first joined,” says Teren.
Teren’s journey was not without challenges. Diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at the age of 9, he faced difficulties in socializing and communicating. “I felt my disability would hinder me from being able to socialize effectively with people and make friends,” he states. However, Central Piedmont became a transformative space for Teren. “I met so many people who were friendly, kind, and willing to help me despite my struggles with communication,” he says. Through the support of his advisor and mentor, Iris Grady, and the warm Central Piedmont community, Teren found his voice and confidence.

His time at Central Piedmont not only honed his technical skills but also instilled a powerful lesson. “Keep reaching for your goals. Don’t let others around you turn you sour because of their coldness… Believe in yourself and the true people in your life that want to help you and you can never go wrong,” he advises future students.

Mandy Watson is a remarkable May 2023 graduate of the Baking and Pastry program at Central Piedmont. Her passion and unstoppable determination drove her to gain acceptance into Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society, obtain an internship with Executive Pastry Chef April Franqueza of High Hampton Resort in Cashiers, NC, and graduate with honors.

Mandy’s decision to attend Central Piedmont wasn’t solely about academics; it was about turning a passion into a career. “I chose Central Piedmont because of its exceptional culinary program with American Culinary Federation Certification and affordability,” Mandy shares.

Scholarships have notably helped Mandy pursue excellence. The NC Education Lottery Scholarship and the NC Community College Grant have played a crucial role in easing her financial burden. As an adult student with an existing small business and familial responsibilities, these scholarships have enabled Mandy to focus on her studies and plans without the added stress of financial constraints.

Mandy’s journey has been illuminated by mentors who doubled as instructors. “Chef Tanya, Chef Jenn, Chef Sandy, and Chef Tessia have been more than just instructors.” Mandy reveals, “Chef Tessia’s encouragement pushed me to explore new flavors and techniques that have helped expand my pallet and make my dreams a reality.” Mandy’s advice for other Central Piedmont students: “Utilize your instructors. Ask questions and keep an open mind when they critique your creations and ideas. Instructors are there to help you be the best you can be.”

So what should we expect to see from Mandy in the future? “Food should be an experience. I dream of owning a food truck that brings moments of joy to my customers and allows them to discover flavors they haven’t experienced before.”

Mandy is set to open Wicked Provisions Bakehouse, a new European-style bakery in Hickory, NC, in October 2023. Check it out on Instagram: @wicked.provisions.bakehouse

Aiden MacQueen is a dual-enrolled student who has a passion for engineering.

Aiden is a member of the Central Piedmont Student Ambassador program, where he has been awarded a scholarship. In addition to covering fees, books, and courses, the scholarship has allowed him to pursue his passions early on. He is also an avid member of both the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and the Delta Alpha Pi honor society. Phi Theta Kappa is an international honor society for two-year colleges that recognizes excellence, hard work, leadership, and civic engagement. Delta Alpha Pi is an honor society that recognizes excellence and academic achievement in students with disabilities.

In terms of his future career goals, Aiden considers Central Piedmont’s experience invaluable. He has encountered many amazing faculty and staff members who make it their goal to put you on a path to success. Every person, from the librarians at Levine campus to the Engineering lab staff at Central campus, has been extremely helpful to Aiden and everyone around him.

Central Piedmont has introduced Aiden to a great sense of community and belonging. Aiden has been able to improve his studying skills simply by utilizing the study spaces around campus. “The school’s environment is conducive to learning, and I feel like I can really focus on my studies here. In addition to 3D printers and lab equipment, I have access to a number of tools that are not available elsewhere in the community,” explains Aiden.

Aiden believes the campuses were designed with students in mind, and he has had the opportunity to take a variety of engineering courses through his dual-enrollment pathway. “I enjoy the applied nature of engineering. I like working on a project and seeing it through to completion, and I love the feeling of seeing what the final product will look like. Proving to myself that I am capable of bringing a new idea into the world is one of the best feelings I have felt, and engineers seem to be dedicated to chasing that same feeling,” says Aiden.

Aiden’s advice to future Central Piedmont students: “Use the tools available to you. The staff at CPCC are dedicated to helping students succeed, and all the students need to do is ask. The librarians and student services here have been incredibly kind and helpful to me. They have helped me revise multiple research papers and have made sure I have always had access to what I needed to succeed. Even the instructors share this dedication, as they have office hours where they dedicate their time to answering questions from students that drop by. I would not have gotten as far as I have without the support I received from the staff who care about my success. People treat you like a human being rather than a number, and you really see that when you engage with the school community.”

First-generation college student Jorge Mato Frontela is originally from Havana, Cuba. Moving from Cuba to avoid violent events, Jorge arrived in the United States a year ago. “Despite the events in my homeland, my willingness to achieve my goals remained unaltered,” says Jorge. Before coming to America, Jorge was in the middle of completing a degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Havana.

It wasn’t by chance that Jorge’s passion for helping people with cancer developed. As a young child he would accompany his mother at work where he would see patients getting treated for cancer. “After participating in the State and National Chemistry Contests in Cuba, I realized I could use my abilities to help people with cancer,” Jorge explains.

As an active member of several campus organizations, Jorge belongs to the Conexion Latinx Club, Rotaract Club, and Phi Theta Kappa. In addition to his membership in those organizations, Jorge is a tutor for the Academic Learning Center for Chemistry classes. Wait, there’s more; Jorge is also an avid volunteer for the American Red Cross, where he leads fundraising campaigns and assists other blood drives.

Jorge is not only an active member of the community, but he has also been awarded many scholarships to support his education, including the Bank of America Endowed Scholarship, Barnes & Noble Scholarship for books, and the Levine Scholarship. “These scholarships have allowed me to put more effort into my studies and student life by alleviating my financial stress and helping me overcome the economic barrier to higher education,” Jorge says.

Vivian Asare is first-generation adult learner from Ghana, country of Western Africa. She decided to attend Central Piedmont to fulfill her dreams of becoming a nurse.

Originally attending Central Piedmont in 2000, she had to put her academic journey on hold to give birth to twins and to focus on raising them. Vivian’s family loves Central Piedmont. Her twins both attended the Middle College program along with her 16-year-old who currently attends at the Cato Campus.

After her oldest two children graduated from high school, they insisted that their mother return to school to pursue her dreams. “Caring for others has always been at the core of my life, so I felt the need to pursue my passions so I can better advocate for my special needs son and others just like him,” says Vivian.

Central Piedmont’s culture of inclusion and diversity is one of Vivian’s favorite aspects of attending here. “My class schedule is flexible at the college, which I appreciate. In addition, all campuses are well equipped with a variety of resources that are available to all students,” explains Vivian. Vivian felt supported even being a non-traditional college student who has been away from school for 20 years. From the moment she arrived back on campus, she fit right in with both younger and older students.

Advice for other Central Piedmont students: “It is not too late to start over. Central Piedmont has all of the resources to help you achieve your goals. If time is your problem, they have flexible schedules. If money is your problem, they have a vast number of scholarships and financial aid available. If transportation is your problem, campuses have bus routes. Finally, if studying is your problem, Central Piedmont has an insane amount of academic support to guide you through your struggles.”

Melissa Lopez, a non-traditional adult learner, is studying Criminal Justice Technology at Central Piedmont. Melissa came from Venezuela with her parents and three brothers when she was just 6 years old. Coming from another country, her parents instilled in them that learning English and getting an education was important.

The flexibility of creating her own schedule made Central Piedmont an obvious choice for Melissa. “Being a full-time business owner and a mom, convenience was important to me. I have been able to set my own schedule while working on assignments and that has been a game changer for me,” explains Melissa. Melissa’s education goals are to transfer to a 4-year institution and pursue her bachelor’s degree in social work and to minor in Spanish and Criminal Justice at the end of this semester.

In the year 2020, Melissa and her family overcame a life-changing and traumatic event together. This event altered the dynamic of the family and was very hard to adjust to. “Everything that I have accomplished has been only by the grace of God. It has been through tears, sadness and in some instances, brokenness, but God sustained me through it all and he showed me my worth and that there is no one or anything above him,” says Melissa.

Ben Wheeler is a self-made, Nondestructive Examination student who is set to graduate this May!

As a member of the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), Ben works to advance science, engineering, and technology in nondestructive testing to create a safer world. On top of being a member of the ASNT, Ben is a proud Paul Zayicek Memorial Scholarship recipient. The Paul Zayicek Memorial Scholarship was provided by the Charlotte Chapter of the ASNT, it is used exclusively to support the college by providing scholarship assistance to students enrolled in nondestructive examination technology.

Ben chose Central Piedmont because he wanted to earn a lasting career and save money at the same time. Originally, he was studying electrical engineering but soon decided he was not fulfilled with that route. “I spoke with Sarah Wilson at the Central Piedmont Harper Campus, and she informed me of my options. Sarah suggested nondestructive examination because she felt like it would be a perfect fit. I enrolled and never looked back,” says Ben.

The people at Central Piedmont have made Ben feel welcome and supported, giving him a sense of comfort. “With my degree, I hope to have the flexibility to grow across the board for each NDE process and to be the most reliable team member when things get complicated,” Ben explains.

It was Central Piedmont that not only helped me conquer possibility but revealed the possibility to me as well. With the drive, the support, and the recognition, Ben now has the satisfaction of saying, “I am respected as one of the best.”

Advice for future Central Piedmont students: “Make sure to find the right people to back you up and guide you. Build relationships with advisors, teachers, and other students.”