My name is Baylee Porter and I was born and raised in Johnston County, NC. My hobbies include teaching gymnastics, volunteering as a children’s church leader, and always drinking an iced caramel latte with extra caramel. I’m currently enrolled as a Pre-Nursing student in hopes of enrolling in Wake Tech’s Nursing Program. My future aspiration is to work as a Pediatric Oncology Nurse.

My name is Brian Yi I born in South Korea but grew up in Fayetteville, NC.  I’m currently completing my Associates in Science and plan to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. Some of my hobbies include photography, drinking bubble tea, and playing the guitar and drums for my church. I hope to eventually attend medical school and work in under served areas where access to medical care is limited.

Hi! My name is Chapin Reil I was born in Glasgow, Scotland and I’ve spent the majority of my life in North Carolina. I’m in my second year at Wake Tech and planning on completing my Associate Arts degree by the end of Spring 2020. I plan to transfer to a four year school where I will pursue a major in Theater. Outside of school I participate in theater productions around the triangle. My hobbies include improv, photography and filmmaking. I have participated in 48 hour film festivals and received recognition for my work. I’m incredibly excited to be a Student Ambassador for Wake Tech and the opportunities it provides.

My name is Christopher Jean Baptiste. I am a second-year student at Wake Tech pursuing an Associate of Science degree. Once I am finished with community college, I would like to go to the school of Textiles at NC State University to get a degree in Fashion and Textile Design. After college, my goal is to move somewhere like Southern California or New York; hotspots of the fashion industry, and start a clothing line which could fall under the category of “high fashion.”

My name is Darbi Adcox and I have been a lifetime resident of Apex, North Carolina. I am currently a student at Wake Tech seeking my Associate’s in Science. After I complete this degree, I hope to go on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in food science at N.C. State University. While I am an animal lover as a whole, I have a particular weakness for cats. I also adore gardening, and my favorite plants to care for are succulents. Other hobbies of mine include writing, drawing, reading, daydreaming, and napping. While I am pursuing a career in science through my degree, it is also a dream of mine to perhaps be able to turn my writing or artwork into a source of income on the side as well. Baking and cooking are also hobbies of mine, and they are what inspired me to want to go into my chosen field of study.

I’m Hunter Wagner and I’m from Cary North Carolina. I’m in my second year at Wake Tech working towards my Associates in Science degree. After my time at Wake Tech, my goal is to transfer to NC State and study biology with a minor in criminology. In the long term, I want to work in law enforcement. My hobbies include: playing the guitar, camping, and woodworking.

My Name is Ian McDonald. I am currently enrolled in the Associate in Arts (AA) program at Wake Tech and my goal is to transfer to NC State to continue my education. I plan to major in Elementary Education (concentrated in STEM) and become a teacher. Some of my goals while at Wake Tech are to meet plenty of new people and help new students feel welcome as they join our community at Wake Tech. If I’m not at school, you will most likely find me watching or playing soccer with my friends. It’s something that I have always been passionate about and I believe it creates special connections among people. Along with soccer, I love to travel to new places and familiar, such as my hometown of Redmond, Washington. I look forward to seeing and meeting you all around campus!

My name is Johnathan McMahel. In the summer of 2018 I moved back to my hometown of Wake Forest, NC after finishing my term of enlistment with the United States Air Force. My insatiable curiosity and desire to understand the way things work led me to enroll in the Associate of Engineering and Associate of Science degree programs at Wake Tech in the fall of 2018. I envision myself working with future technology to contribute to computer systems and public policies increasing the sustainability of global resource usage. After I graduate from Wake Tech, I plan to earn a Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering at North Carolina State University. When I’m not studying, I enjoy experimenting with the Raspberry Pi and repairing mobile electronics. I love music and going to see my favorite bands perform in concert as well as discovering new bands to add to my ever-growing list of favorites. Having spent the past year as a student at the Scott Northern Wake campus, I feel incredibly honored to serve as a Student Ambassador this year and look forward to building new relationships that will flourish long after I have finished my time here at Wake Technical Community College.

My name is Joey Bastante. I was born in New Jersey, but have lived in Cary since 2010. Some of my hobbies include sailing at the coast with my friends and skateboarding. I plan to graduate Wake Tech with an associate of arts degree. Long term, my goal is to transfer to NC State to get my bachelors in accounting.

My name is Justin Norris and I’m sophomore at Wake Tech. I’m originally from Wake Forest, North Carolina. Some of my favorite activities include reading, long distance running, and studying other languages. I am currently pursuing an associates in science and working to become certified to teach English overseas. Long term I want to work and continue my studies in Italy.

My name is Alyssa Coker, I was born and raised in Vero Beach, FL and moved to Raleigh about 10 years ago. I’m enrolled in the Associate of Engineering Program with the intent to transfer to NC State’s Chemical Engineering program. Eventually, I would like to obtain a master’s degree at Wake Forest’s Regenerative Medicine program to research 3D printing organs via stem cells. Outside of school, I love to enjoy the great outdoors. I love to go camping, take long hikes, go surfing, etc. My most memorable experiences thus far include skydiving and traveling to Chile to view a solar eclipse at the Gemini Observatory.

My name is Maab Aldulimy and I’m an ambitious Iraqi refugee and a first-generation college student. I presently reside in Cary, NC. When I’m not representing the college you can find me studying calculus in the campus library. I’m currently pursuing a major in Biomedical engineering and hope to combine the knowledge of engineering and medicine to advance our current understanding of Cancer Cells. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, volunteering at festivals, and diving into the world of fantasy books.

My name is Melanie Viso, and I was born and raised in Lima, Peru. I am currently pursuing an Associate in Arts Degree. I plan on transferring to UNC Chapel Hill to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Global Studies. One of my long-term goals is completing the multiple steps that will allow me to become a lawyer. Also, I absolutely love watching movies and reading books because they tell different stories.

My name is Robert Bridges and I’m studying engineering here at Wake Technical Community College. I plan to transfer to NC State’s computer science program and pursue an accelerated Master’s degree with a focus on security and cryptography. Outside of school I spend my time reading, writing, and programming.

My name is Samantha Burg, I was originally born in Pensacola, Florida and after that I moved around a lot because my father was in the Marines. However, my family and I eventually settled down in Wake Forest, NC, and I have lived there ever since. I am pursuing an Associates of Arts degree here at Wake Tech, but when I transfer I want to major in Political Science and minor in Spanish. After my bachelor’s, I want to go to Law School and study criminal or environmental law. In my spare time I enjoy playing my guitar, reading any book I can get my hands on, watching movies, and listening to R&B music.

My name is Shaniek Wiltshier. I am a Jamaican national who moved to the United States in the year 2018. I currently reside in the town of Fuquay Varina. My hobbies include reading, singing and cooking. I am currently pursuing an Associates in Arts and Science degree. I plan to transfer to UNC Chapel Hill where I will study Computer Science and Economics. My ultimate goal is to build my own software company and to attain my Doctor of Jurisprudence degree in Business Law.

My name is Supratik and I am from the beautiful island nation of Singapore.  I am currently pursuing the Associate in Science transfer program at Wake Tech and I plan on transferring to the University of California Berkeley to obtain my Bachelors in the field of Computer Science and Mathematics. During my free time, I like to read/listen to audiobooks and volunteer. I hope to join the amazing team of software developers and data scientists in Silicon Valley one day to contribute to the ever evolving virtual world.

Alex Tan was raised in East Brunswick, NJ and New York City, NY before moving to North Carolina. She is enrolled in the Associate of Arts program and intends to transfer to NC State for a Degree in Business Administration. She loves to spend her free time outdoors, watching movies, and traveling when given the opportunity.

Jemin Park was born and raised in the Tri-State Area. Jemin is currently enrolled in his second year at Wake Tech under the Associate in Arts and Science programs. After graduating, he intends to to transfer to UNC Chapel Hill to acquire a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and Economics. He enjoys making videos, producing music, dancing, and eating instant ramen.

Matthew Clay was born and raised in Fuquay Varina, NC. Matthew is pursuing an Associate in Science Degree at Wake Tech and plans to transfer to NC State to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Horticultural Science. His hobbies are gardening and volunteering at the Fuquay Varina Emergency Food Pantry.

Joselyn Ramirez is from Long Beach, CA, bu raised in Raleigh, NC. Her current program of study is the Associate in Arts program. After completing her tenure at Wake Tech, she plans to major in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations at North Carolina State University. Her hobbies include reading, writing, cooking and baking, running, hiking, and going to the beach.

Elizabeth Crosson is currently working on her Associates in Sciences at WTCC. She plans on transferring to NC State to continue her education with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry. She hopes to eventually work in the Forensic Science field. She loves to draw, play music, read, and hangout with friends.

Joshua Daughtry is originally from Knightdale, NC, but spent much of his time growing up in Goldsboro, NC before moving to Clayton, NC. His current hobby is Real Estate Brokerage since he recently passed the NC Real Estate Broker Exam. His program of study is Associate in Arts and after completing his degree, he intendeds to go to UNC Chapel Hill to major in Business or Economics.

Baylee Potter was born and raised in Johnston County, NC. Her hobbies include teaching gymnastics, volunteering as a children’s church leader, and always drinking an iced caramel latte with extra caramel. She is currently enrolled as a Pre-Nursing student in hopes of enrolling in Wake Tech’s Nursing Program. Her future aspiration is to work as a Pediatric Oncology Nurse.

Dominique Lomax is originally from Bridgeport, CT and has lived in North Carolina for approximately 2 1/2 years. Dominique is currently enrolled in the Associate in Engineering program at Wake Tech and will graduate with an Associate in Engineering Degree and Associate in Science Degree. He plans to transfer to NC State to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. Dominique’s free time is spent creating digital art through 3D programs and participates as a street dancer learning different forms of dance such as Hip-Hop and Animation.

Camille Kurbansade is from Fords, New Jersey. She enjoys reading, listening to music, bike riding, jogging and is a huge soccer fan since she played for 6 years. She is bilingual with Spanish as her second language. She plans to graduate from Wake Tech with Honors and transfer to NC State. She also plans to enroll in either ECU or UNC Chapel Hill to participate in a Dental Program.

Natasha Greenway is from Archdale, NC. She currently majors in Criminal Justice Technology Forensic Science. She enjoys reading, stand-up paddleboard, and anything wildlife. She looks forward to graduating in May to utilize her skills as a Crime Scene Investigator or in other areas of Forensics.

Constance Leonard is from Garner, NC. She is currently working towards her Associates in Science with the hope of transferring to NC State for her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education. She enjoys reading, spending time with her family and attending church. She wants to have the opportunity to be a positive influence to children during their most formative years as an Elementary Teacher.

Katelin Faircloth is from Bunn, NC. She is currently completing her Associates in Science and plans to go to NC State next fall. She hopes to graduate with a Food Science Degree. Her hobbies include soccer, cheerleading, and running.

Cecilia Sanchez is from Wilson, NC. Some of her hobbies include watching Netflix, jogging & hanging out with friends.  She majors in Construction Engineering and plans to transfer to NC State. Her future goal is to continue her current employment with an engineering firm and gain a professional engineering license.

Edrine Mutebi was born and raised in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Quantitative Economics and he is currently pursuing an Associates of Science Degree in Data Science from Wake Tech. In his free time, he loves doing missionary work, watching soccer, and the shark tank.

Jack LaFrankie is from Apex, NC where he’s lived since he was 2 years old. He currently studies History with the intention of transferring to a university after the end of this year. He is passionate about global and national affairs as well as local public service. In his spare time, he loves watching new and old movies and going to concerts and shows with friends and family.

Morella Bruzual is originally from Caracas, Venezuela, but has lived in Clayton, NC since 2012. She is in the process of completing her Associates in Science and wishes to gain a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. During her free time, she likes to read, watch movies, and travel to different parts of the world whenever she gets the chance. Morella wants to eventually attend graduate school and work alongside organizations such as the Red Cross to lend a helping hand to those who require it.

 

 

Sarah Taylor was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. Sarah is pursuing an Associate in Science Degree at Wake Tech and plans to transfer to a four-year university to major in Exercise Science and Kinesiology. Sarah enjoys running, swimming, dancing, and weight training. Sarah also enjoys eating fruit, enjoying nature, reading and spending time with family and friends.

 

 

Kevin Vo is originally from Boston, Massachusetts and was raised in Lakewood, Colorado. Kevin’s future plan is to transfer to North Carolina State University to major in Civil Engineering.  Kevin’s hobbies include playing sports, hanging out with friends, and discussing his favorite sports team, the Boston Celtics.

 

 

Austin Patrick was born in Ft. Myers, Florida, and moved to Garner in 2007. Austin is in his second year at Wake Tech. Austin plans to transfer to UNC-Greensboro to pursue a degree in Exercise Science. After graduating from UNC-Greensboro, Austin plans to attend Physical Therapy school at UNC-Chapel Hill.  He enjoys playing basketball and spending time with his friends and family.

 

 

Tarif Rahman is from a little beach town along on the tip of Florida called Deerfield Beach. This Fall marks his fifth semester here at Wake Tech. Tarif is pursuing a degree in   Associate of Arts, he doubles as a part-time marketing intern and a Mentor with UNC’s Scholarship Latino Initiative. A few months ago, h was also inducted into Sigma Delta Mu, Wake Tech’s Spanish Honor Society. It seems like a lot (and sometimes it is), but he tries his best to keep balance. Outside of Wake Tech, he spends m time writing, hunting for the best coffee shops, sandwiches, and finding ways to develop his professional portfolio. In a year, he see’s himself at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill studying Strategic Communication with minors in Statistics & Analytics and Spanish for the Professions. UNC is Tarif’s  dream school, so he is excited to see where the journey takes him, no matter where that might be. Tarif say: “I’ll do my best to spread good vibes, make some lasting friendships, and keep moving forward.”

 

 

Kathryn Gill has lived in North Carolina for about 9 years now. She is originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia.  Kathryn is in the engineering transfer program at Wake Tech, her major is Chemical engineering. She hopes to transfer to NC state when she is done here. During her free time she works at a Chinese restaurant in Holly Springs. That also happens to be one of her favorite foods so she is happy there. When she is not working and/ or doing school work she usually keeping up with her favorite series on Netflix or TV.

 

 

Brandon Perry was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. He currently live’s in Fuquay and considers that his hometown. He is currently in the transfer program with the hopes of attending NCSU to pursue a degree in accounting. Brandon hopes then to become a CPA and help future entrepreneurs create successful businesses or work for one of the big 4 accounting firms. In his free time, I love to watch and attend sporting events. He also loves to draw and spend time with his friends.

 

 

Brianna Terpening is originally from Roanoke Rapids, NC.  Brianna is currently on track to graduate this spring with her Associate’s in Engineering.  After graduating from Wake Tech, Brianna plans to transfer to North Carolina State University to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering.  Brianna’s hobbies include playing cello, baking/cooking, art, watching movies, and playing videos games.

 

 

Kendall Hollified is originally from Louisville, Kentucky.  Kendall is currently studying Criminal Justice and wants to one day work for the FBI as a Behavior Analyst. In her free time, she likes to ride her brand new motorcycle.

 

 

Jovanno Lightbourne is originally from Grand Bahama Island located within the Bahamas.  Jovanno is currently enrolled in the Medical Engineering Technology program. Jovanno’s hobbies include writing, drawing, and fishing.  Jovanno wishes to establish his very own manufacturing (3D Printing) Company in the future.

 

 

Hannah Moyles is from Wake Forest, NC.  Hannah is enrolled in the Culinary Arts, Baking/Pastry Arts, and Hospitality Management programs here at Wake tech.  After Wake Tech, Hannah plans to transfer to East Carolina University and obtain a Bachelor’s Degree (as well as Master’s) in Hospitality Management.  Hannah hopes to one day manage a large hospitality or food service operation.

 

 

Carmen Nurinda is originally from Nicaragua, but was raised in Cary, NC.  She is a graduate of Vernon Malone College and Career Academy where she was a dual-enrolled student here at Wake Tech within the Simulation and Game Development Program.  Carmen looks to obtain an Associate of Arts Degree in Business.  Carmen spends her time working as a Customer Service Representative at Carolina Pottery. Carmen hopes to work within the field of Media Marketing one day.

 

 

Dominique Lomax is originally from Bridgeport, Connecticut and has lived in North Carolina for about two and a half years.  Dominique is currently enrolled in the Computer Programming and Development program at Wake Tech and will graduate with an Associate in Applied Science Degree. Dominique plans to transfer to NC State to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. One of Dominique’s long-term goals is to become a Software Developer/Engineering and delve deeper into the field of Artificial Intelligence. Dominique’s free time is spent creating art through 3D programs and learning different forms of dance.

 

 

Isis Lett is from Apex, NC (2005) and a graduate of Panther Creek High School (Class of 2016). After graduating from Wake Tech, Isis plans to enroll into a Nursing program at a four-year university.  Isis’ long-term goal is to obtain a Master’s Degree in Nursing in order to become a Nurse Practitioner.  Isis’ hobbies include drawing, playing with her dog, and being active.

 

 

Austin Patrick was born in Ft. Myers, Florida, and moved to Garner in 2007. Austin is in his second year at Wake Tech.  Austin plans to transfer to UNC-Greensboro to pursue a degree in Exercise Science. After graduating from UNC-Greensboro, Austin plans to attend Physical Therapy school at UNC-Chapel Hill.  He enjoys playing basketball and spending time with his friends and family.

 

 

Samantha White is originally from Northern Virginia, but currently resides in Raleigh. Samantha is studying Dental Hygiene at the Perry Health Science Campus.  After graduating from Wake Tech, she plans to continue her education in aspirations of becoming a dentist. In her free time, she spends most of her free time riding her horse, Habanero, reading, spending time with her husband, and singing along to Disney Classics.

 

 

 

 

 

Hello, my name is Anthony Walton, native of Raleigh North Carolina. Graduated from Cary senior high where I lettered in track, football, and wrestling. Currently in the human service department with a concentration in substance abuse. My goal is to become licensed clinical addiction specialist (LCAS). hobbies include coaching my sons basketball team, learning new languages, and gardening. Favorite quote, “the man who thinks he can and the man who thinks he can’t are both right -Confucius”

 

 

Hey Guys! My name is Abigail Chafin and I am currently on track to graduate this spring with my Associates in Science Degree. I hope to transfer to UNC Chapel Hill where I will pursue a bachelors degree in Biochemistry. Ultimately, I would like to apply to their PharmD program and graduate as a pharmacist. Aside from my studies, I enjoy working part time at a restaurant owned by a family originally from Fujian, China. Since I am from a small town in Missouri, Kansas City, I enjoy the diverse culture spread across the Raleigh area. I look forward to serving the school this year as student ambassador!

 

 

Hello! My name is Durga Sivamani, and I am originally from India but I’ve lived in Raleigh and Durham for 14 years, making North Carolina my home. I am pursuing an A.A.S. Degree in Simulation and Game Development (SGD) with a focus in Programming. I am in my second year of the program and I love every minute of it. Upon graduating from the program next year, I hope to attain a job as a Technical Artist or a Gameplay Programmer in a video game company. When I can, I love traveling and experiences new cultures, foods and places! I also love reading, spending quality time with friends and family, and of course, playing video games like Far Cry, Witcher III, and Mirror’s Edge.

 

 

Hello, my name is Krissia Spivey. I moved to NC in 2009 and was born in San Salvador, El Salvador. I am currently enrolled in the Advertising and Graphic Design program at WTCC. I will graduate the spring 2017 and hope to continue doing freelance work as well as visual arts for living; after graduating I hopes to work and volunteer in a nonprofit organization to support social causes. My favorite thing to do is spend time with family and friends as well as creating visual art.

 

 

Hey! My name is Brandon Perry and I was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. I moved around a lot as a child but have lived in Willow Spring since the age of 11 so I consider it my hometown. I am currently in the AA transfer program with the hopes of attending UNC Chapel Hill or NCSU to pursue a degree in accounting. I hope then to become a CPA and help future entrepreneurs create successful businesses. In my free time, I love to watch and attend sporting events. I also love to draw and spend time with my friends.

 

 

My name is Cristhian Mena. I’m from Lima, Peru. I’m enrolled in the Architecture program and want to continue to study architecture until I receive my architecture license. I enjoy playing soccer and drawing.

 

 

Hello, My name is Riley Carr My hometown is Cary, North Carolina. I’m currently undecided in my major, but I am headed towards an associate of arts degree. Still unsure because I don’t know what I want to major in, but I am taking an Introduction to Simulation and Game Development class that is quite interesting. So I might end up enrolling in the SGD program if I like the class I have well enough by the end of this semester. I greatly enjoy reading, especially fantasy and sci-fi fiction. I also enjoy reading manga and watching anime. I haven’t been to Japan yet, but I really want to go. I also want to travel around the world to places like Egypt, Greece, and Rome. I have a cat named Jasper, and a beagle named Milo. I love animals! My favorite animal is the Tiger ( because they’re awesome!). I love playing video games; Pokemon being my all-time favorite.

 

My name is Sarah Blocher. I have experienced great personal success at WTCC since my return to school in 2014. I intend to graduate in Spring of 2017, and transfer to UNC Chapel Hill as a proud CSTEP student. I intend to obtain my Bachelors’ in Science of Nursing, and begin a happy career in pediatrics as a relief worker with an organization such as Doctors Without Borders. I am undergoing the induction process for Sigma Delta Mu, I am participating in the Honors Program, and I am pleased to represent my school as a WTCC Student Ambassador. Wake Tech is a wonderful school with so many opportunities. I cannot express how profoundly my time here has affected me, for the positive. I look forward to finishing these last two semesters, and continuing to represent my school as I begin my next steps toward my desired career.

 

My name is Khalifa Jawara, I’m an international student originally from The Gambia. I came to the U.S in the summer of 2015 purposely to attend College. I am currently enrolled in the associates of science in Wake Technical Community College, and I hope to complete my degree program in the spring of 2016. After obtaining my Associates degree in Waketech, I plan to transfer to UNC to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing. My long term goal is to become an anesthetic nurse someday. My favorite sport is soccer; so, I spend most of my leisure time watching soccer at international level. Other things I like to do in my free time includes reading novels, watching movies and going to the gym.

 

 

My name is Kathryn Gill. I have lived in North Carolina for about 9 years now. I am originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia. I am in the engineering transfer program at Wake Tech, my major is Chemical engineering. I hope to transfer to NC state when I am done here. During my free time I work at a Chinese restaurant in Holly Springs. That also happens to be one of my favorite foods so I am happy there. When I am not working and/ or doing school work I am usually keeping up with my favorite series on Netflix or TV.

 

 

Hello, my name is Landis Ross. I was born in Durham, North Carolina, but I moved to Raleigh at a young age. I graduated from Southeast Raleigh High School in 2012 and immediately went to Wake Tech. I earned my Associates in Science degree in 2014 and decided to pursue an Associate in Engineering due to course overlap as well as engineering being a potential interest for me back in high school. As a person, I am a bit shy and formal. My hobbies include various forms of art including sculpture and 3D modeling as well as playing video games.

 

 

My name is Kaitlyn Lester and I am 19 years old. I am currently in my sophomore year at Wake Tech and I am studying for my Associates of Science. I hope to transfer to University of Virginia or UNC and study biology. I was born in Rockville Centre, New York and I have one sister. My favorite food is sushi and I love to run everyday.

 

 

My name is Jeannette Low. I am a second year student majoring in Welding Technology. I am originally from Raleigh. In 1998, I joined the US Navy and spent 5 years touring the globe. In addition to serving my country, I have found a passion for working with metal through my father’s lifelong hobby. He was a blacksmith for 40 years. In 2013, he asked me to help him with some items in preparation for the North Carolina State Fair and lit a passion that neither of us knew existed. I realized that I was limited in my smithing abilities because I did not know how to weld. My dad recommended Wake Tech because of its rich history of training the trades. I am glad I have followed in his footsteps and succeeded here at Wake Tech.

 

 

Hello, my name is Diana Dakdouk. I am a Student Ambassador at the Wake Technical Community College North Campus for the 2016-2017 academic year. My name is Diana Dakdouk and I’m currently in the process of completing my sophomore year at Wake Tech. By spring 2017 I will have obtained my Associates in Arts and begin preparing to transfer to UNC Chapel Hill where I plan to get Bachelors in Dental Hygiene. Afterwards, I am aiming to get my master’s degree in Public Health. Besides a passion for the health industry, I enjoy cooking international meals, writing poems, and most importantly preform with my Lebanese Dance Group. I was born in Lebanon, lived in Venezuela, and raised in America; therefore, I am Lebanese, Venezuelan, and American. Overall, I am blessed to share my story as an Ambassador with others and gain a lot of knowledge throughout this experience.

 

 

Hi! My name is Ellie Alfers and I am originally from Louisville, Kentucky. I moved to North Carolina right before the start of my freshman year of high school. I love this area and plan on staying here beyond college as well. I am currently in my second year at Wake Tech pursuing an Associate’s in Arts Degree. I plan on transferring to Meredith College in the Fall of 2017 to pursue a degree in Interior Design. In my free time I enjoy hanging out with my friends or my family. I also love to watch superhero movies as I am obsessed with Marvel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hey friends! It’s Brooke, here. Welcome to the Student Ambassador’s blog. We are in the process of getting some awesome posts together from our experiences… to support YOUR success!

This post is all about strategies and tips I use to manage my time. Everyone gets stressed about school and it doesn’t matter if you’re taking one class, three or –like me– six. We all have lives outside of school, too: family, friends, work, spouses, professional organizations and church, not to mention taking care of you (laundry, showering, exercising, eating, doing dishes, sleeping, and the list can go on). So how do we balance these things? And, how can we do them so that instead of just “passing the class” we actually learn and retain the information to apply it somewhere in the future?

I’ll be honest; I don’t actually know how to do it, yet. Some elements in my life suffer so that other things that are more temporary can be prioritized. I balance six classes, presidency of a student chapter of a professional organization, my role as a student ambassador, tutoring my classmates in software skills, five siblings, three parents and a boyfriend. I tried to have a job for about a week… camel, meet straw…

So here are some things I have learned along my journey.

1. SLEEPSLEEPSLEEPSLEEPSLEEP
   I can’t stress this enough! Last year, I was proud of myself when I would stay up all night to get my homework done. This year, I sleep a MINIMUM of five and a MAXIMUM of eight and a half hours every night. I have figured out the effects of staying up all night and it’s not just being tired the next day. When your body doesn’t have time to shut itself down and reboot, it will wear out faster; you won’t live as long! “In the “Whitehall II Study,” British researchers looked at how sleep patterns affected the mortality of more than 10,000 British civil servants over two decades. The results, published in 2007, showed that those who had cut their sleep from seven to five hours or fewer a night nearly doubled their risk of death from all causes.” (1) Not to mention all of the effects on your memory and appearance. If you follow the rest of these tips, you will have time to sleep. 🙂
2. Schedule everything.
   I use two planners, my phone and a written one. Everything gets written down (that way my mind has to think about it while writing) and then it goes into my phone calendar so that I know I will get a reminder about it. I also make a sketch on paper to figure out when I am going to do my homework.
   
3. Keep track of how and when you get distracted I have a mini notebook with me at all times. When I am working on assignments, I might spend three hours sitting at my desk but when I record my time focused and my breaks in concentration, I realize that I only actually worked for about half of that time. Write it down and you will see what I’m talking about. Hold yourself accountable for your time.

4. Print your syllabus.
   There is something about having all of my syllabi posted on my wall, next to my desk, makes things a world easier. I can see what the assigned reading is for the week, which assignments are due soon, how long until the tests, and the teacher’s office hours and location.
   
5. Drink water
   H2O is your brain’s friend! Coffee drinkers like me tend to forget about that delicious stuff that should make up 40-60% of your body. Just because coffee has water in it, doesn’t mean it is water. (I used to try to talk myself into that idea… NO.)
   
6. Schedule a break with someone you like being around
   Whether it is your brother or sister, mum or dad, boyfriend or girlfriend, best friend or your favorite fur person; you need a break, and unless they come to class with you, they probably miss you. I give myself a deadline, a focus and then I reward myself, i.e. 7:30pm –finish web assign for math, dinner and Netflix with Kevin, go to sleep at 10:00pm. Have lunch or dinner with your family or your best friend, but make sure you get all of your work done so you can relax and enjoy your time with them.
   
7. Set due dates for yourself
   I know you’ve heard this before, but if you finish your assignment two days early, you will be GOLDEN. Often, teachers will be willing to give you some notes before the final due date, plus finishing and submitting early will help you avoid last minute, low quality work.
8. Work both sides of your brain.
   There is a lot of evidence on the way the brain operates for different things on each side. Right is creative and left is logical, so when you have trouble in math, take a few moments and draw a doodle, it doesn’t have to be pretty, just sketch something that you see, or that you’re thinking about, use the other side of your brain and relax the side that is trying to figure out exponential functions. This will help you avoid being stressed out and frustrated.
   
9. Wake up at the same time, all seven days of the week. This one goes hand in hand with number one, but it deserves its own number. If you sleep late on the weekends, it is much harder to get into your routine during the week. This is why the “Monday Blues” are a thing. Also, if you don’t have class until 1pm on Tuesday and Thursday, but Monday, Wednesday and Friday are 8am classes, do not use Tuesday and Thursday to sleep until noon. This makes the other days of the week HURT (shout out to my 8am trig class buddies).

10. Use your most productive time wisely.
    About two hours after you wake up, you are at your most productive level for the day, for about two hours. I try to time my alarm two hours before my math class, because that is a difficult class for me, plus I don’t drive very far, so I spend about 45 minutes studying in the parking lot before class. This warms up my brain, lets my coffee take effect and puts me in the right mindset for class.

“Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.” ― H. Jackson Brown Jr.

( 1 ) http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/excessive-sleepiness-10/10-results-sleep-loss?page=3

 

 

Hey! My name is Chad Kibbe and I am from a small town called Bunn, North Carolina. I am currently enrolled in the Associate in Arts program. Upon graduation at Wake Tech, I will be transferring to NC State University to pursue a degree in Environmental Technology and Management. Outside of my academic career, I spend a lot of time creating ways to fund my education. Most recently, I traveled to a small fishing village called Egegik, Alaska, where I had the opportunity to create substantial income by working on a commercial salmon fishing boat. Although this was very rewarding work, it has greatly strengthened my desire to earn my degree and strive for academic excellence. My experience at Wake Tech has been phenomenal thus far, and I am excited to see how I will be able to give back to the college this year.

 

 

 

 

 

Having grown up in Apex just up the hill from Holly Springs, David is a native North Carolinian. After attending Cardinal Gibbons High School, he moved away to go to school at Campbell University for a year and some change, but eventually decided that a path into the banking industry was not for him. Now he is a Pre-Nursing student here at Wake Tech, and is closing in on admission to the Associate’s Degree of Nursing program. In the long run, David plans to pursue a career as a clinician. Whether that means nurse, nurse practitioner, or doctor, we’ll just have to wait and see. Although David spent much of his childhood learning to play sports while neglecting the arts, David has been honing his musical ability over the past few years. Because of his appearance and demeanor, many people are surprised to learn that David is actually an avid freestyle rap artist. The way he developed this skill was by making CDs of hip-hop instrumentals to play in his car, and then practicing wherever he went. He invites anyone to join him in a rap cipher session when he is off the clock.

 

 

 

 

 

Bestselling and Nobel prize-winning author Pearl S. Buck once said, “To serve is beautiful, but only if it is done with joy, a whole heart, and a free mind.” Hello, I am Elise Johnson. As a wife, mother of two adult children, lover of learning, and a former veteran homeschool mom, I receive great satisfaction in helping others. This desire has led me to pursue a career as a medical assistant. My ultimate goal is to have it continue to make a difference that I have lived at all. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve at Wake Tech. I am looking forward to not only serving in the way expressed by Pearl S. Buck, but to applying her wisdom to learning with joy, with a whole heart, and with a free mind. I sincerely wish each of you a semester filled with the same and a desire to make a difference in the lives of those around you.

 

 

 

 

 

Hi All! Originally from Chesapeake Bay Virginia, I moved to North Carolina early on in my life and have lived in Apex ever since. Currently I’m enrolled in the transfer program completing my last year here at Wake Tech before going to Appalachian State University to focus primarily on my major. My decided career path is within the field of computer science with a hopeful focus on artificial intelligence as well as a hopeful minor in some form of business psychology. I’m a diligent worker and a strong advocate for earning rather than receiving- it makes for a much more rewarding lifestyle. If I’m not studying at Wake Tech or serving as Student Ambassador somewhere on Main Campus, then you’ll probably find me at the beach, lake, or anywhere where there’s water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My name is Cristhian Mena. I’m from Lima, Peru. I’m enrolled in the Architecture program and want to continue to study architecture until I receive my architecture license. I enjoy playing soccer and drawing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hey guys! My names Kaitlyn and I am originally from Naples, Florida. But have lived here since I was 8 years old and consider North Carolina home. I am currently pursuing my AA degree and then hope to move forward and major in studio arts with a minor in entrepreneurship, and then master in architectural design. I want to move on to be an architectural designer who specializes in hospitality so that I could design resorts! My ABSOLUTE favorite thing to do is art and crafts. I love making things and painting!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My name is Tihami Ahmed Khan. I was born in Hawkinsville, Georgia. I was raised up in both the cities of Raleigh and Cary. I am currently enrolled in the Associate of Arts program. I plan on transferring to NCSU for a bachelor’s in Business Administration. I want to get a job being a manager of a corporation. I enjoy playing basketball and football.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello, my name is Antanisha Mackey and I am from the beautiful islands of the Bahamas. I am currently enrolled in Nursing and my goals in the near future is to pursue both my Bachelors and Masters degrees at UNC or NCCU after I have completed my Associates in Nursing at WTCC. After I have accomplished this goal, I would like to open up the first hospice care organization in The Bahamas. I see Nursing as not only a career but also an avenue to use my skills to help people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m originally from Columbus, OH, and I moved to Rolesville, NC after my freshman year of high school. I am in the Networking Technologies program at Wake Tech, and hope to work for Cisco after completing my degree. I work part-time as a swim coach and lesson instructor at Granite Falls Swim and Athletic Center. In my free time, I like to spend time outdoors (camping, hiking, etc.) and stay involved on campus with extracurriculars (e.g. Phi Theta Kappa). I’m very excited to be a student ambassador, and am looking forward to a great school year!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello! My name is Jessica Handy, I am currently in the Associate of Science program here at Wake Tech, and I hope to transfer to ECU to study nursing. I would love to travel the world and explore other cultures; after I obtain my Bachelor’s degree, I would like to find an organization that will allow me to volunteer overseas and put my newly acquired nursing skills to use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My name is Jessica Hernandez and I got to grow up in the “best place to live,” Raleigh, North Carolina. I graduated from Sanderson High School in 2014. Go Spartans!! I am currently getting my Associate of Arts Degree at Wake Tech and I plan on transferring to North Carolina State University. There, I want to receive my Bachelor’s Degree in General Psychology and attend graduate school. I would like to have a degree in Psychology to become a guidance counselor at the elementary level. I have worked with kids as an after school teacher and summer camp counselor for four years. In the summer of 2014, I was also able to travel to Ireland, Wales, London, and Paris. One day, I would like to see Venice and I have always had dreams of teaching English in a South American country. I am so happy Wake Tech has put me on a path towards achieving my dreams.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi ! My name is Daneel Nichol, and I am18 years old and I moved here 1 year ago from Jamaica. I’m currently pursuing an Associate in Science at Wake Tech’s North Campus. I would like to transfer to either UNC to do a double major in Spanish and Mathematical Decision Sciences or UNC Charlotte to major in Actuarial Science. After that I would like to take the required tests to have a career as an Actuary. In my spare time I like to binge watch Netflix and reality shows and reading.

 

 

 

 

 

My hometown is Cary, North Carolina. I’m currently undecided in my major, but I am headed towards an associate of arts degree. Still unsure because I don’t know what I want to major in, but I am taking an Introduction to Simulation and Game Development class that is quite interesting. So I might end up enrolling in the SGD program if I like the class I have well enough by the end of this semester. I greatly enjoy reading, especially fantasy and sci-fi fiction. I also enjoy reading manga and watching anime. I haven’t been to Japan yet, but I really want to go. I also want to travel around the world to places like Egypt, Greece, and Rome. I have a cat named Jasper, and a beagle named Milo. I love animals! My favorite animal is the Tiger ( because they’re awesome!). I love playing video games; Pokemon being my all-time favorite.

 

 

Hello! My name is Brittany Savage, I am a sophomore and a transfer student at Wake Tech. I plan on earning my Bachelor’s Degree in middle school education and becoming an overseas missionary. love getting to meet new people and helping them in any way I can.I strive to be an encourage to every person I meet.

Hello, My name is Kristina Porras, Currently, I am a sophomore at Wake Tech. I hope to transfer to UNC Chapel Hill to complete my undergrad, and eventually attend UNC’s medical school. In my free time, I enjoy hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains and spending time with family and friends.

Hello! My name is Rachel Coghlan

Hello! My name is Alexandra Shrader

Greetings! My name is Olivia Knox, I’m currently enrolled in my second year in the Associate in Science program at Wake Tech. I’m going to transfer to NC State in the Fall of 2015 to major in Biology and minor in Toxicology. My dream is to pursue medical school to become a dermatologist.

Hello! My name is Haley Byers, I am 19 and moved here from Charleston, SC one year ago. I moved here for school and am planning on pursing a PhD in Genetics and working in a women’s hospital so I can have the privilege of working with pregnant women and babies!

Hello! My name is Shefali Bhalla, I’m a stay at home mom of 3 kids ages 14, 9, and 5. I am originally from India, and moved to USA about 7 years ago. Before moving here I was working as a freelance business writer for an international magazine. Being out of school for over 17 years, Wake Tech gave me the opportunity to go back as a non-traditional student to further my professional career goals.

Greetings! My name is Korey Butler, I’m in the second year of the Associate of Arts program offered at Wake Tech. I intend to transfer to UNC to pursue a degree in Public Relations and eventually obtain a dual Masters/J.D. degree in Communications Law. In my free time I love spending time with my two children, husband, and volunteering!

Hello! My name is Ricardo Rojas, I was born in Venezuela where I lived 17 years of my life. A big part of my life since the early age of 5 was dedicated to the practice of karate, which I still practice to this date. I studied my junior and senior year in Sanderson High School where I graduated in 2013. At Wake Tech I’m completing a pre-engineering program, so then I can transfer to NC State as a mechanical engineer.

Hello! my name is Chad Kibbe, I am an Associate of Arts student at North Campus and will be transferring to East Carolina University to major in Industrial Engineering Technology. At Wake Tech, I’m involved in Phi Theta Kappa, The Office of Volunteerism and Leadership and The National Society of Leadership and Success. I also play two musical instruments, the piano and the drums.

Hello! My name is Ryan Garrigues

Hello! My name is Jakub Cunat, and I am originally from the Czech Republic. This is my third semester at Wake Tech and I am looking to hopefully transfer to NCSU, with majoring in Business Administration. My ultimate dream in the future is to become a professional pilot. I love aviation, sports, cooking and traveling.

Hello! My name is Linval McFarlane, I”m a native of Jamaica. I’m going to Wake Tech’s North Campus and is pursuing an Associate of Arts degree. His positive work attitude, resilience and focus enables him to excel in his academic pursuits. He embodies the warmth and flair of the Caribbean while serving as a Student Ambassador at the Main Campus.

Hello! My name is Cecil Wilson, I’m enrolled in the AS program and intends on transferring to NCSU to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. I’m a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma alpha Pi and serves the Wake Tech Engineering club as the secretary and committee member.

Hey there friends! My name is Megan Elizabeth Pendell and I am proud to say that I am a WTCC Student Ambassador! The primary reason I aspired this role is to give back to my school. Wake Tech has done so much for me so far! But I’ll be honest…I haven’t always wanted to attend Wake Tech. Before I knew much about it, I assumed community college was not for me. Despite my unwillingness, I began taking classes here. To continue to the climax of my tale, by the beginning of my first semester I started to LOVE Wake Tech! I’m now on my third and final year and expect to graduate this spring with an Associate in Science Transfer degree. Besides learning and serving my community, I love to go adventuring, dance freely, drive with the windows down, hang with my friends and family, and travel. So as you can infer, my favorite activity would be an adventurous road trip with my loved ones in a convertible while dancing wildly to my favorite playlist. Oh, and of course we would be on our way to the zoo and a roller coaster park. Anyway, here at Wake Tech I feel free to be myself and feel capable of achieving anything I can dream of! Thank you for taking an interest in me.

 

 

Wake Tech is proud to announce that we have selected 15 Student Ambassadors to serve during the 201-2014 academic year.  Our new ambassadors are a diverse group of Wake Tech’s most outstanding students.

Camilla graduated from Enloe High School and is currently pursuing a Radiology degree at Wake Tech. Camilla takes classes and serves as a Student Ambassador at the Health Sciences Campus.

Elizabeth is a pre-nursing student.  She is currently taking classes on Main Campus, and hopes to enroll in the nursing program at WTCC in January.

Amy Evans

Amy graduated from Sanderson High School. She is currently enrolled in Wake Tech’s Radiography program.

Tywon is enrolled in Wake Tech’s Associate in Arts program. He takes classes and serves as a Student Ambassador at the Main Campus. Tywon is also actively involved with the Raleigh Fellows program.

My name is Dana Elthertani.  I am the Stephen C. Scott Scholar!  I am pursuing an Associate’s degree in Science at Wake Tech and plan to transfer to UNC to pursue an undergraduate degree in Business.

Hallie Nunamaker

Hallie graduated from Franklin Academy. She is currently pursuing an Associate in Arts degree at Wake Tech. Hallie takes classes and serves as a Student Ambassador at the Northern Wake Campus.

Aaron is currently in Business Administration. He just received his Associates in Criminal Justice in August from Wake Tech and plans to transfer to UNC Chapel Hill or Central University next year.

Brooke is a graduate of Wake Forest Rolesville High School. She is currently pursuing a Nursing degree at Wake Tech. Brooke takes classes and serves as a Student Ambassador at the Health Sciences Campus.

Cara is a second year Student Ambassador.  She is preparing to graduate in spring and transfer to NC State in the fall. Cara is planning to receive a BS degree in History, minor in Anthropology, and eventually obtain a Masters degree in Museum Studies. Her dream is to become a Museum Curator.

Donna is pursuing a degree in Medical Office Administration at Wake Tech. She takes classes and serves as a Student Ambassador at the Main Campus.

Linval is a native of Jamaica, enrolled at Wake Tech’s North Campus and is pursuing an Associate of Arts degree. His positive work attitude, resilience and focus enables him to excel in his academic pursuits. He embodies the warmth and flair of the Caribbean while serving as a Student Ambassador at the Main Campus.

Katie Honeycut is pursuing an Associates in Science degree at Wake Tech’s Main Campus where she will be serving as a Student Ambassador

Fatima is enrolled in Wake Tech’s Associate in Arts Program.  She takes classes and serves as a Student Ambassador at the Main Campus.  Fatima is also actively involved with the National Society of Leadership and Success.

Cecil graduated from Harnet Central High School in 2011. He has a passion for STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) education.  He is in his second year of the Associate in Science program and intends to transfer to NC State to pursue degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Construction Mechanics. He has a beautiful daughter who motivates him to give his best in every area of life.

Lekesha is a mother to two girls and one kitty. Currently, she is enrolled in the Medical Office Administration degree. Upon completion, she hopes to have a career as a Medical Specialist. She has been certified as a Nursing Assistant for 13 years.  In her spare time she likes to watch TV and sit outside and enjoy the breeze.