Ena Imai, originally from Tokyo, Japan, is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the Student Government Association.

Ena is an outstanding student who also receives the BFB Foundation Scholarship as a STEM student. The BFB Scholarship is given to help provide educational opportunities for girls and women based on their belief that a woman’s dedication to sustaining her family will ultimately affect the rest of the community.

Since becoming a student at Central Piedmont, Ena has found a sense of community. “Coming from overseas, I had a hard time feeling like I belonged, but soon enough, being a part of student clubs such as the Student Government Association provided me with purpose and a great group of friends,” says Ena. Ena felt she would be labeled less than her classmates because she was not attending a prestigious university. However, as a result of Central Piedmont’s supportive community, Ena has realized that her ambition and motivation are valuable and inspiring.

Because of her passion and interest in science, Ena intends to major in Biology and minor in developmental psychology. “I have always been intrigued by how science can make sense of the world around us with its central and diverse role. It will also help me retain the knowledge necessary for medical school, a step closer to my dream career,” explains Ena. Ena’s ultimate dream is to become a pediatrician so she can help children feel safe and, most importantly, healthy.

Advice to future Central Piedmont students: “The experience is what you make of it. If you seek opportunities and new experiences, you can make your college journey how you want it to be. Central Piedmont is a community of endless support and encouragement to help you achieve your goals.”

Yasha Washington is a Stockton, California native with a heavy track record of success. Yasha has obtained the Merancas Technical Scholarship, Levine Scholarship, Bahakel Scholarship, and the Central Piedmont Student Ambassador Scholarship.

In the future, Yasha hopes to own and operate a multimedia production company with her degree in Advertising and Graphic Design. “Ultimately, I would like to own and run my own magazine promoting BIPOC communities. Furthermore, I want to run a film production company devoted to BIPOC creators,” says Yasha.

While thinking about her higher education journey, Yasha had no idea what program she wanted to pursue. “During my research on Central Piedmont, I found out it has exceptional programs and is a stable pillar of the community. As a result, my decision to attend Central Piedmont was an easy one,” explains Yasha.

Yasha is constantly feeling fulfilled and supported at the college and within her program area. “Faculty are accessible and genuinely engaged with students, my peers are welcoming and friendly, and the opportunities and resources are plentiful,” says Yasha. As a student, Yasha truly feels encouraged every single day.

Advice you would give to a future Central Piedmont student: “Take advantage of the opportunities! There are so many resources available to students such as scholarships, clubs, organizations, career building, and much more. Central Piedmont is much more than classwork!”

As an adult learner in Computer-Integrated Machining, Stephen Jones is determined to become a full-time machinist at Siemens Energy.

Stephen knew he wanted to pursue a new career opportunity after the birth of his son, and do something that he had never done before. Therefore, Stephen began investigating Central Piedmont’s programs. He is currently enrolled in an apprenticeship program run by Siemens Energy, in partnership with Central Piedmont.

Stephen has enjoyed every aspect of attending Central Piedmont Community College. “Computer-Integrated Machining instructors are very hands-on and helpful in any way they can. As a result, I have gained a great deal of knowledge, both in and outside of the classroom,” says Stephen.

Stephen’s advice for future Central Piedmont students: “Listen to your instructors and be willing to put in the hard work. The work you put in now will pay dividends in the future.”

Aaron Kempster is a former US Marine who has become involved in many Central Piedmont organizations. In addition to being Vice President of the Human Services Club and Vice President and Co-founder of the Human Services Honors Society, he is a member of Phi Theta Kappa as well as a Student Ambassador.

In the midst of the pandemic, Aaron decided he wanted to pursue higher education. As a non-traditional student, he chose Central Piedmont for its wide variety of programs and affordable tuition. When Aaron realized he wanted to attend college, he was heavily reliant on social and mental health workers during a mental health crisis. As a result of this crisis, he decided to get into a field where he could make a difference in the lives of others. Aaron decided to pursue an associate degree in Applied Science in Human Services Technology, Developmental Disabilities, and Addiction and Recovery Studies.
“I have enjoyed my interactions with the faculty and staff at the college. I am learning from professionals who have more than 100 years of combined experience in different parts of the human services field,” Aarons explains. It is Kempster’s goal to continue his education, eventually earning a master’s degree in social work. He hopes to become a counselor after obtaining his education.

Aaron has overcome many obstacles throughout his life and is a phenomenal student. Since he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at a very young age, he has always had to work ten times harder than other students. “I went from being a kid who wouldn’t be able to read, write, or ride a bike to becoming a Marine Veteran and a 4.0 student. Having been given the right conditions, anything is possible, and Central Piedmont has provided me with a great deal of support and opportunities,” says Aaron.

Advice to future Central Piedmont students: “Create good relationships with your professors and get active within the college. There are so many diverse opportunities afforded whether it be jobs, scholarships, clubs, volunteering, or honors societies. You get from college what you put into it and there are a ton of opportunities at Central Piedmont.”

Alexandra Mbiya is a Student Ambassador from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Alexandra’s curiosity and eagerness to learn led her to enroll in Central Piedmont’s Advertising and Graphic Design program. Since then, she hasn’t looked back. “I did not choose Central Piedmont; my blessings were attached to Central Piedmont opportunities. Therefore, we chose each other,” says Mbiya.

Central Piedmont has been a home away from home for Alexandra. There has never been a time when I felt lost, lonely, or unwelcome here. Through Central Piedmont’s many avenues of support and opportunity, I met my best self,” says Mbiya. Ultimately, she plans to continue fulfilling her passions by becoming a graphic designer who designs for the good of the community and to educate others.

As a student at Central Piedmont, Alexandra has had access to a wide range of resources, from scholarship opportunities to wonderful faculty and staff.

Alexandra’s advice for future Central Piedmont students: “Stay curious, that is how you learn and evolve.”

Read the Student Story on Instagram.

Juliette’s sign says “Si se puede!” (“Yes you can!)

Juliette Palacios Perez is an ambitious leader and first-generation student who is the head of the Student Equity Council and a student advisor to TRIO Upward Bound. (At Central Piedmont, we offer TRIO-Student Support Services, a college retention and degree completion program centered on academic, personal, social, and career support for under-resourced college students). Juliette provides her Spanish-speaking skills to the Hispanic community through these organizations.

Juliette has always had a dream to pursue higher education. “I sought a place to make my dreams come true. After the initial failure and rejection, I learned that Central Piedmont would be the place that would catapult me in the right direction,” explains Juliette. “I chose Central Piedmont because of the resources they offer that have allowed me to be accepted into my dream school, UNC Chapel Hill.”

Perez comes from a single-parent household where her mother worked two jobs and always taught her to stand up for herself and others. Juliette’s mother always told her to “dream big Mija, education is the only thing that can’t be taken away from you.” As a result, Juliette decided to major in both Sociology and Political Science in order to gain knowledge of government systems and advocate on behalf of others. Juliette’s future degree from UNC Chapel Hill will help her pursue her dreams of becoming an attorney who fights for the rights of others. “My passion is to inspire, and through that, I will one day become an immigration attorney,” Juliette explains.

From being involved in student engagement, to having amazing advisors there for constant support, Central Piedmont has shown Juliette what a supportive community looks like. Juliette decided to start Conexion Latinx, the Latinx student club at Central Piedmont, after receiving so much support. “I wanted to create this club to help other first-generation Hispanic students feel safe, heard, and supported,” Juliette says.

Jules Omakinda is a hardworking student who dreams of becoming a pilot one day.

Jules is currently pursuing his associate degree in cyber security at Central Piedmont Community College. “Central Piedmont has a positive reputation and offers many opportunities that students can take advantage of,” says Jules. Jules enjoys feeling like he is a part of a community. As he explains it, “Central Piedmont is a place that truly feels like home, and I appreciate how the community works together to help me succeed in my career.”

Jules knew as early as he could remember that he would like to be a pilot someday. For him, Central Piedmont is the ideal place to begin his aviation goals. As a result of his cyber security associate degree, he plans to attend another institution to obtain his master’s degree in cyber security. His goal is to secure a high-paying job that will help him pay for aviation school.

One thing Jules would like anyone reading this to remember would be to, “keep your goals at the forefront of your mind and utilize all that Central Piedmont provides you to reach your next chapter in life.”

Kait Hruska, a Cleveland, Ohio, native, is currently studying interpreter education at Central Piedmont and anticipates graduating in May 2025.

As a Central Piedmont student, Kait is determined to connect with her peers and be as involved as she can be in campus life. That’s why she decided to participate in the Student Ambassador Program, which allows students to develop their leadership skills while making a positive impact on Central Piedmont and beyond.

“Becoming a Student Ambassador has been the best decision I’ve ever made,” explains Kait. “It has allowed me to meet so many of my peers and staff members. I value the relationships I’ve made each semester and look forward to learning more about others in the college community in the near future.”

In the interim, Kait’s looking forward to applying the leadership skills she’s building as an ambassador in her future professional career as an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter.

“I have always been interested in ASL and I regretted not pursuing it more during my time as an undergrad,” says Kait. “Central Piedmont is the only school in Charlotte or the surrounding areas with an Interpreter Education program. As a result, the decision on which college to attend was an easy for me. I’ve also enjoyed its close proximity to my home. The commute to and from class is extremely convenient. Less time in the car is more time I can spend studying if needed.”

Although Kait is a bit unclear on how she intends to incorporate her ASL studies into her final career path, she is clear on how Central Piedmont has helped get where she is today. “Central Piedmont’s Single Stop program helped me financially my first semester at college,” she explains. “If it wasn’t for the resources they helped me identify, I wouldn’t have been able to attend and pursue my career aspirations in ASL. I’m just so grateful to the college and all of the support services it provides. Central Piedmont has been a game-changer.”

Dorianny Gutierrez

Central Piedmont has given Dorianny Gutierrez the opportunity and resources to chase her dreams of becoming a successful professional.

Dorianny came to the United States from Zulia, Venezuela, four and a half years ago, without knowing much English. The 16-year-old began studying incredibly hard so she could get into college.

“With English not being my first language, there were so many things I did not know how to do, such as the college applications, SAT, FASFA, and RDS; the list goes on.” Thankfully, Central Piedmont awarded her the Presidential Scholarship. This scholarship helped Dorianny significantly, not only by alleviating the financial and emotional stress she was experiencing, but also by helping her grow as an individual.

“The Presidential scholarship has given me the opportunity to mentor and assist other students with their educational journey” said Dorianny. In addition to being exposed to others’ stories, Dorianny appreciates how Central Piedmont provides its students with valuable resources, such as career services, service learning, workplace learning, and many others in order to succeed and persist. “As an immigrant, Central Piedmont has provided me with tools I’ve needed to achieve my dreams. The small classes allow me to get to know my peers and instructors, leading to deeper connections for more sustainable relationships.”

Dorianny graduated in May 2022 with an associate degree in accounting and finance and is taking everything she has learned at Central Piedmont, out into the community. Currently, she works as Business Development Specialist in Prospera, a non-profit that provides technical assistance to Latino entrepreneurs to establish or expand a business. Supporting 150+ induviduals needing business guidance, coordinated over 30 educational seminars, and targeted over one million dollars in capital towards small businesses. “Today I look back and feel very proud of that confused 16-year-old who did not know how to manage the system. This path was not easy at all, but with the right motivation, people, and tools, you will succeed.”