ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — College of The Albemarle (COA) is pleased to announce the student award recipients for 2025-2026. Academic and state awards were presented during a reception held in April.
North Carolina Community College System’s Academic Excellence Award
The North Carolina Community College System Academic Excellence Award recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and excellence. This award acknowledges students’ hard work, dedication and exceptional performance in their academic pursuits.
The award is often presented to students who have achieved the highest GPA in their respective programs of study or who have exhibited exceptional academic performance in their coursework. It recognizes their commitment to academic excellence and ability to excel in their chosen field of study.
Congratulations to Alfredo Landazuri, College of The Albemarle recipient of the 2026 NCCCS Academic Excellence Award.
Alfredo Landazuri, COA recipient of the 2026 NCCCS Academic Excellence Award.
Dallas Herring Achievement Award Nominee
The Dallas Herring Achievement Award is an honor bestowed upon North Carolina Community College System students. Named after Dallas Herring, a pioneer in the community college movement, this award recognizes exceptional academic achievement and personal growth by individuals who have benefited from the community college education.
The Dallas Herring Achievement Award is given annually to a student who has demonstrated significant progress in academic pursuits, overcome obstacles and exhibited outstanding leadership qualities.
Congratulations to Briana Beachboard, College of The Albemarle recipient and state nominee for the 2026 Dallas Herring Achievement Award.
Briana Beachboard, COA recipient and state nominee for the 2026 Dallas Herring Achievement Award.
Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award Nominee
The Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award recognizes outstanding student leaders in North Carolina who have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and made significant contributions to their school, community and beyond.
The award highlights student achievement in academic excellence, community service, extracurricular involvement and the ability to inspire and motivate others.
Congratulations to Autumn Price, College of The Albemarle recipient and state nominee for the 2026 Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award.
Autumn Price, COA recipient and state nominee for the 2026 Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award.
Scholar of Global Distinction Award
College of The Albemarle is proud to be a member institution of the North Carolina Scholar of Global Distinction Program. The program recognizes students in the North Carolina Community College System who demonstrate exceptional knowledge and understanding of global issues and cultures.
Participants who successfully complete the program receive “Graduated with Global Distinction” on their transcripts, an honors graduation stole and a joint certificate from COA and World View at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Congratulations to the 2025-2026 COA Scholars of Global Distinction Award recipients:
MacKenzie Beagle
Alaina Bonanni
Kalee Brackett
Emily Gray
Rahnae Griffin
COA Campus Cup Awards
Campus Cup Awards are presented annually to students who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, commitment to their profession, service to the college and service to the community.
Congratulations to the COA Campus Cup recipients for 2025-2026:
Alaina Marie Bonanni, COA – Dare
Anna Dowdy, COA – Edenton-Chowan
Emily Gray, COA – Elizabeth City
Peyton Zoby, COA – Currituck
Academic Awards – Division of Health Sciences and Wellness
Awards were presented to students enrolled and in good standing in a Health Sciences program or who successfully completed the program within the current academic year.
Congratulations to the award recipients for 2025-2026:
Associate Degree Nursing Alexandra Brown
Associate Degree Nursing Margaret Errickson
Associate Degree Nursing Jacob Eure
Associate Degree Nursing Serenna Fly
Associate Degree Nursing Molly Greenwood
Associate Degree Nursing Marlee Johnson
Associate Degree Nursing Lia Newbern
Associate Degree Nursing Megan Roberts
Associate Degree Nursing Ashlynn Ward
Associate in General Education – Nursing Kaleigh Sutherlynn Felton
Health Fitness Science Taylor Artzt
Social and Human Services Exavier Artis
Social and Human Services Autumn Price
Medical Assisting Crystal Parsons
Medical Assisting Ma Vinna Roncali
Medical Laboratory Technology Karla Bishop
Medical Laboratory Technology Sydney Collins
Phlebotomy Diploma Maryann Hassell
Academic Awards – Division of Arts and Sciences
Awards were presented to students with the highest GPA in their respective degree or diploma program. Recipients must have applied for graduation in the current academic year and completed a minimum number of credit hours at COA.
Congratulations to the award recipients for 2025-2026:
Associate in Arts Amelia Morae Cervantes
Associate in Arts Heidi Rose Jarratt
Associate in Arts Mathew Quentin Johnson
Associate in Arts Connor William Mawhiney
Associate in Arts Anna Gray Montero
Associate in Arts Emma Lee Nobles
Associate in Arts Hanna Madison Parrish
Associate in Arts Elizabeth Marie Stottlemyer
Associate in Arts Eva Elizabeth Taylor
Associate in Arts in Teacher Prep Tammy Griggs Staten
Associate in Fine Arts – Visual Arts Emma Stacy Vazquetelles
Associate in Fine Arts – Visual Arts Gabrielle Anne Wilson
Associate in Fine Arts – Theater Anna Michelle Nunez-Rowe
Associate in General Education Jesenia De La Cruz
Associate in Science Alaina Marie Bonanni
Associate in Science Ethan Phillip Bailey
Associate in Science Kalee June Brackett
Associate in Science Samantha K. Dick
Associate in Science Kaiden A. Heath
Associate in Science Karen Ramirez Nieto
Associate in Science Jackson Scott Wemhoff
Associate in Science Peyton Collier Zoby
Associate in Engineering Ethan Phillip Bailey
Associate in Engineering Samantha K. Dick
Associate in Engineering Kaiden Alexander Heath
Academic Foundations Michael Gonzalez
Academic Awards – Division of Business, Industry and Applied Technologies
Awards were presented to students with the highest GPA in their respective degree programs. Students must have successfully completed 18 hours of 100-level or higher coursework, maintained a GPA of 3.6 or higher and be in good standing or have successfully completed the program during the current academic year.
Congratulations to the award recipients for 2025-2026:
Aviation Systems Technology Brandon Strange
Aviation Systems Technology Cecil Jackson
Computer-Aided Drafting Charles Bartlome
Computer Integrated Machining Dana Morrison
HVAC Robert Terry
HVAC Clavin Russell
HVAC Alexander Murphy
IT: Systems Administration & Support Weston Godfrey
IT: Systems Administration & Support Charles White
IT: Computer Programming William Vandiver
General Business Administration Gavin Almozera
General Business Administration Jessica Curry
General Business Administration Starla DeBerry
General Business Administration Kimberly Folds
General Business Administration Jessica Rose Neaderhise-Kesler
General Business Administration Jessica Timmons
Global Business Management Layah Clark
Welding Technology Casey Bilderback
Electrical Systems Technology Boden Dodson
Academic Awards – Division of Workforce Development, Public Services and Career Readiness
Awards were presented to students with the highest GPA in their respective degree programs. Students must have successfully completed 18 hours of 100-level or higher coursework, maintained a GPA of 3.6 or higher and be in good standing or have successfully completed the program during the current academic year.
Congratulations to the award recipients for 2025-2026:
Agribusiness Technology Andy Ramon
Basic Law Enforcement Training Joseph D. Habel III
Basic Law Enforcement Training Joshua H. Smith
Criminal Justice Technology Janet Quillin
Early Childhood Education Haley McNeely
Cosmetology Ava Clark
Cosmetology Shakiyla Jones
Culinary Arts Benjamin Lowther
Academic Award – College and Career Readiness
The COA Academic Award in College and Career Readiness was presented to the student who demonstrated academic excellence, perseverance, attendance and responsible leadership in class.
Congratulations to the 2025-2026 award recipient: Elijah Knox
For information or media inquiries, contact Tammy W. Sawyer, COA Director of Communications and Marketing, at 252-335-0821, ext. 2420 or [email protected].