ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – College of The Albemarle (COA) is pleased to announce the student award recipients for 2024-2025. Academic and state awards were presented during a reception in April.
North Carolina Community College System’s Academic Excellence AwardÂ
The North Carolina Community College System Academic Excellence Award recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievements and excellence. This award acknowledges students’ hard work, dedication, and exceptional performance in their academic pursuits.
The award is often given 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 Robert Wernock, College of The Albemarle recipient of the 2025 NCCCS Academic Excellence Award.
Robert Wernock, 2025 NCCCS Academic Excellence Award Recipient
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. Recipients are typically selected based on nominations from faculty and staff from the community college system.
Congratulations to Samantha Dick, College of The Albemarle award recipient and state nominee for the 2025 Dallas Herring Achievement Award.
Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award Nominee
The Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award is an honor bestowed upon outstanding student leaders in North Carolina, United States. Named after Robert W. Scott, who served as the Governor of North Carolina from 1969 to 1973, this award recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and made significant contributions to their school, community, and beyond.
The award aims to acknowledge and encourage student leadership by highlighting young leaders’ achievements and positive impact. It recognizes various aspects of leadership, including but not limited to academic excellence, community service, extracurricular involvement, and the ability to inspire and motivate others.
Congratulations to Shackeria Johnson, College of The Albemarle Award recipient for 2025.
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 (NCSGDP). The NCSGDP is an academic recognition program for students in the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) who demonstrate exceptional knowledge and understanding of global issues and cultures. This program prepares students to be globally competent and engaged citizens in an increasingly interconnected world.
NCSGDP 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 – Chapel Hill, recognizing this accomplishment. College of The Albemarle’s criteria for award consideration includes completing at least 15 credit hours of globally intensive courses; participating in eight international activities and dialogue; global experience (30 hours of participation in either study abroad or a domestic intercultural experience); giving a capstone presentation related to their global learning participation.
Congratulations to Jessica White, the recipient of the 2024-2025 COA Scholar of Global Distinction Award.
COA Campus Cup Awards
Campus cup awards are presented each year to individuals who have accomplished one or more of the following requirements: significant contributions of service to the college, exhibited leadership skills in or outside of the classroom, exhibited exemplary service to the community, exhibited outstanding commitment to their chosen profession, and demonstrated academic excellence. The recipients of the campus cups are considered for the President’s Cup, which will be announced in a future 2025 commencement.
Congratulations to the COA Campus Cup recipients for 2024-2025:
Samantha Dick, COA – Currituck
Robert Wernock, COA – Dare
Andrew Heath, COA – Elizabeth City
Academic Awards – Division of Health Sciences and Wellness
Awards were presented to students who were enrolled and in good standing in a Health Sciences program or have successfully completed the program within the current academic year and meet the following criteria: successfully completed at least 6 hours of coursework at 100-level or higher each semester while enrolled in the program, received a grade of “A” or “B” in the core curriculum courses, other required courses in the Health Sciences Program, and any other courses during each semester while enrolled in the program and was “satisfactory” in all clinical evaluations. The student’s cumulative COA GPA must have been maintained at 3.70 or higher each semester while enrolled in the program.
Congratulations to the award recipients for 2024-2025:
Associate Degree Nursing                                    Shelby Ayers
Associate Degree Nursing                                    Lia Newbern
Associate Degree Nursing                                    Maria Ortega
Associate Degree Nursing                                    Fiona Rewis
Associate Degree Nursing                                    Angelica Roldan
Associate Degree Nursing                                    Cassandra Simons
Associate Degree Nursing                                    Aubrey Sopher
Associate in General Education – Nursing         Kaylie Kidwell
Emergency Medical Sciences                              Ian Dudek
Health Fitness Science                                          Hristina Trajkoska
Medical Laboratory Technology                           Heather Todd
Social and Human Services                                  Autumn Price
Surgical Technology                                              Baylee Morton
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 of 40 credit hours at COA.
Congratulations to the award recipients for 2024-2025:
Associate in Arts                                                     Kylee Dinterman
Associate in Arts                                                     Kirra Ensenat
Associate in Arts                                                     Taylor Honza
Associate in Arts                                                     Chloe Hudson
Associate in Arts                                                     Matthew Johnson
Associate in Arts                                                     Aimee Marsh
Associate in Arts                                                     Kisstina Parker
Associate in Arts                                                     Megan Spafford
Associate in Arts                                                     Anceli Torres
Associate in Arts                                                     Wyatt Whitfield
Associate in Arts in Teacher Prep                        Emily Blair
Associate in Fine Arts – Visual Arts                      Isabella Sanford
Associate in General Education                           Alice Turney
Associate in Science                                              Logan Kronbauer
Associate in Science                                              Adrien Smith
Associate in Science                                              Kaylee Steuber
Associate in Engineering                                      Samantha Dick
The COA Awards in Academic Foundations were presented to the students enrolled, in good standing, in an Academic Foundations English and/or Math course or who have successfully completed the course(s) within the current academic year and achieved the highest numerical grade and/or reached the highest tier achievement in an Academic Foundations English and/or Math course.
Congratulations to the award recipients for 2024-2025:
Academic Foundations                                          Sheneka Whidbee
Academic Foundations                                          Jessicah Woodell
Academic Awards – Division of Business, Industry and Applied Technologies
Awards were presented to students with the highest GPA in their respective degree programs. Students who were enrolled and in good standing or successfully completed the program within the current academic year and meet the following criteria: Must have successfully completed 18 hours of 100-level or higher coursework and the GPA must be a 3.6 or higher.
Congratulations to the award recipients for 2024-2025:
Aviation                                                                    Russ Pugh
Aviation                                                                    Sean Harrigan
Aviation                                                                    Erick Schultz
Computer-Integrated Machining                          Christian Dart
General Business Administration                        Enrique Pichardo
Global Business Management                             Jonathan Liles
HVACÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Collins Jarvis
IT: Computer Programming                                  Michael Bright
IT: Systems Administration & Support                Keegan Futrrell
Welding Technology                                              Colby Walke
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 also have successfully completed 18 hours of 100-level or higher coursework, have a GPA of 3.6 or higher, and be in good standing or have successfully completed the program within the current academic year.
Congratulations to the award recipients for 2024-2025:
Agribusiness Technology                                      Kelsey Graham
Basic Law Enforcement                                         Zechariah Dobson
Basic Law Enforcement                                         Zachary Smirlock
Basic Law Enforcement                                         Steven Mann
Basic Law Enforcement                                         Reid Robeson
Basic Law Enforcement                                         Kayla Hunter
Basic Law Enforcement                                         Johnmichael Hammer
Basic Law Enforcement                                         John Luciano
Basic Law Enforcement                                         Francisco Cardenas
Basic Law Enforcement                                         Dustin Hanna
Basic Law Enforcement                                         Brandyn Snyder
Basic Law Enforcement                                         Benjamin Elko
Basic Law Enforcement                                        Austin Jones
Criminal Justice Technology                                Janet Quillin
Early Childhood Education                                   Danielle Hahn
Cosmetology                                                            Juliana Clark
Cosmetology                                                            Jaquisha Kee
Cosmetology                                                            Autumn Cartwright
Culinary Arts                                                            Jade Holland
Culinary Arts                                                            Gavin Rush
Academic Award – College and Career Readiness
The COA Academic Award in College and Career Readiness was presented to the student who has exhibited academic excellence, attendance, perseverance, and responsible leadership in class.
Congratulations to the award recipient for 2024-2025:
Scott Hassell
For information or media inquiries, contact Tammy W. Sawyer, COA Director of Communications and Marketing, at 252-335-0821 ext. 2420 or [email protected]. Â