Alumni

Alumni Association Spotlight: Jordan-Justice Stallings

I came to Nash Community College right after graduating from home school. While I was well prepared for academic life, being one of several thousand students was a system shock. However, Nash was the best choice I could have made for beginning college life. Nash offered me many opportunities to excel in my studies and leadership.  Within my first month as a student I was elected as Drama Club Vice President. While serving in this leadership role and taking a full class load I was able to finish my first semester of college with a 4.0 GPA and was named to the Dean’s List.

 

During my second and third semesters I found even more leadership doors being opened. I was able to join both of Nash’s honor societies, Gamma Beta Phi and Phi Theta Kappa. If someone were to ask me what was the best part of my experience at NCC, hands down, it was my time serving as Student Government Association President and Vice President. The times I spent working with Dr. Carver, Administration and the Board of Trustees were priceless training in real world leadership skills.

 

I also spent a lot of time traveling throughout North Carolina representing NCC as the student body president. Wherever I went I spoke about the great school that I am so now so proudly able to say I am an alumna of.

 

Whenever I hit a bump in the road with my academics or personal issues I had the best support system available. My teachers went above the standard to help me excel as a student. If I ever just needed an ear to listen all I had to do was knock on one of several office doors around campus. My SGA advisor was one of the biggest reasons I kept my head held high. When things became stressful for me I knew she always had my back.  Having people like that in my corner kept me going; kept me pushing to be the best I can. If it weren’t for the people at NCC cheering me on there would have been times I would have wanted to just give up. What Nash Community College has to offer is more than classes; it’s heart. The people who work there are the reason students succeed.  There is no doubt in my mind that Nash has the best faculty and staff in the world.

 

While at first being one of so many students was an adjustment I quickly came to value that at Nash I was not a number; I was Jordan-Justice. To have hundreds of students, as well as faculty and staff know not only my face but my name helped me to build many great friendships and professional connections. I know these relationships will be with me the rest of my life and that I will always have a “home” at NCC. The things I learned during my time at NCC go far beyond things studied in books. I learned that who I am is a leader, a life long learner, a problem solver and a valuable member of my community. I will always take these lessons with me.

 

I am proud to say that I am now a Class of 2014 graduate and there has never been a moment since the day I enrolled that I haven’t been glad “I chose Nash”!

 

Contributed by: Jordan-Justice Stallings, NCC Class of 2014