RCC Helped Nicholson Complete Five-Year Goals

Hamlet, NC - December 14, 2011

When Emily Nicholson of Rockingham was a student in the Healthcare Management Technology program at Richmond Community College in 2005, she had an assignment to establish goals for her first five years after graduation. Setting them high, she wrote that she wanted to earn a bachelor's degree, buy a car, buy a home, and begin a master's degree. This month, she completed her final goal by earning her master's degree in Service Agency Counseling from UNC Pembroke. She credits RCC with giving her the foundation she needed to succeed.

"As part of my UNCP studies, I did an internship at RCC in the Student Services Department. Director of Counseling Sharon Goodman let me sit in with her and talk with students about their career and educational goals. I feel I was allowed to give something back to the students here by showing them they can go further in life if they have the desire to do it," said Nicholson.

When she graduated RCC in 2005, she became office manager for a home health agency in Moore County and enrolled in the Healthcare Management program at Gardner-Webb University. She worked and attended GWU classes online and at RCC. She graduated in 2007 and bought her car as a reward.

"Around this time I changed jobs and became a substance abuse prevention consultant in Moore County. Every August, we attend the N.C. School of Alcohol and Drug Studies in Wilmington. One year, the courses I attended made me desire to earn a master's degree in counseling, so I returned to the classroom in 2009," said Nicholson, who chose this time to buy a house.

She finished the master's program this month and is proud to have been inducted into the Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society for her hard work. She's beginning to set a new five-year plan that includes becoming a certified substance abuse counselor and enrolling in a doctoral program.

"I strongly encourage people to start their educational careers at RCC. I have a daughter I'd like to see begin there. I have good memories of my experiences. It was difficult being a single parent and an older student. I found that RCC faculty and staff go beyond what is expected. If they can't help, they'll find the resources you need if possible," said Nicholson.

Instructors became mentors for Nicholson and provided her the encouragement she needed to achieve her goals. Abbie Covington gave her a solid background in accounting and stayed after class to make sure she understood the concepts covered in class that day. Gerald Hunt's economics classes gave her the requirements she needed to be accepted into a university. Fran Drigger's English classes improved her writing skills for all classes. Devon Hall was her advisor and encouraged her to get her master's degree.

"These people really care that you succeed. They not only provide the learning experience you need, they provide the sense of family and support that's essential to success. They know you as an individual and not a number. I just cannot say enough great things about the college and want other people to have a similar experience," said Nicholson.