Three high-achieving students are Alamance Community College’s nominees for state excellence awards sponsored by the NC Community College System.

 

2025 ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARD NOMINEE

Mary Rose Villagante of Graham, NC is a Medical Laboratory Technology student at Alamance Community College. She is pursuing an Associate in Science degree to help provide a stronger foundation for her three young children’s future. Over a 26-year period, personal and unexpected circumstances prevented her from finishing a college degree until she found her most promising academic opportunity at ACC. Villagante says ACC’s Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) program opened her eyes to the critical role laboratory professionals play in patient care. MLT has not only enhanced her technical abilities, but also strengthened her confidence and work ethic, teaching her to operate under pressure and manage time effectively.

 

“With the incredible support of my instructors and family, I have found myself in an environment where I can focus and prioritize finishing my schooling to make a better life for my family and children.”

 

The Academic Excellence Award is sponsored by the NC Community College System (NCCCS). One student is selected from each community college by faculty nomination and must complete an application process that includes obtaining references and writing a personal statement. The student must have completed a minimum of 12 credit hours at ACC, and must demonstrate exceptional academic performance.

 

2025 DALLAS HERRING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD NOMINEE

Joshua Wilson of Efland, NC is a Business Administration student at Alamance Community College. Wilson, a military veteran, served three combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Honorably discharged due to medical disabilities, he says he felt ungrounded and uncertain about his future because in his youth he was an underachieving student due to undiagnosed ADHD. With his wife’s support, Wilson came to appreciate that he simply had a different style of learning, prompting him to enroll at Alamance Community College.

 

“After the military, it can sometimes be challenging to find a purpose,” says Wilson. “ACC has shown me how to reintegrate into a civilian lifestyle that I felt alienated from for so long. My anxiety is calmed and I have a renewed sense of direction and accomplishment.”

 

In addition to earning an associate’s degree in Business Administration, Wilson has been active with ACC’s Veteran’s Office, helping other veterans to acclimate to the campus environment. He hopes to become a peer support specialist with the Durham Veterans Administration.

 

The Dallas Herring Achievement Award was established by the North Carolina Community College System and honors the late Dr. Dallas Herring, whose philosophy of “taking people where they are and carrying them as far as they can go” is the guiding principle of the community college system.

 

2025 GOVERNOR BOB SCOTT STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWARD NOMINEE

Katherine Hackney of Bennett, NC is pursuing an associate’s degree in Agribusiness Technology. Serving as vice president of the Student Government Association, she has been provided the opportunity to exhibit her natural spirit of leadership, community engagement, and service in campus and community projects this year. Katherine demonstrated extraordinary compassion and commitment in assisting with relief efforts for the victims of Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina. She assisted ACC’s FLORA Club and Animal Care Club in organizing the collection of donations and personally traveled to Blue Ridge Community College in Hendersonville to deliver them.

 

“This experience taught me that leadership is about being present, building connections, and fostering hope when it’s needed most,” says Katherine.

 

Katherine also coordinated the SGA’s inaugural Holiday Market at ACC, taking the initiative to recruit local vendors, manage payments, and oversee the event's setup and implementation.

 

The NC Association of Community College Presidents created the Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award in 2004 as a way to recognize student leadership on a statewide level. The award is named in honor of former Governor and NC Community College System President Robert Scott. Each NC community college may nominate one student for the award.