< Previous9FTCC ANNUAL REPORTWWW.FAYTECHCC.EDUIn a Mighty Male Mentorship Seminar at FTCC, Sheriff Ennis Wright discussed the impact mentoring had on his life and how it led to him becoming Sheriff of Cumberland County. Throughout his speaking points, he stressed the importance of having a “community village” who listens. The Sheriff said his uncles and other men in the community made a dynamic impression on him to do well throughout each area of his life. The inspiration for having the event was so FTCC students could become better aware of community resources. Knowing influential community stakeholders who are willing to assist can help students with life endeavors. College Excels in Cyber DefenseCOMMUNITY INVOLVEMENTCollege Honored by United WayFTCC was honored at United Way of Cumberland County’s 2018 Annual Luncheon as one of the businesses, organizations, and volunteers who helped raise $1.2 million in 2017.The county helped 105,548 individuals and families in that year. FTCC received the Chairman’s Award for outstanding continuous employee support, as well as the Spirit of NC Award for companies across the state who demonstrate excellence in their United Way Campaigns. FTCC’s Dr. DeSandra Washington was recognized for her efforts in spearheading the College’s campaign.In April, FTCC was designated by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Two-Year Education (CAE2Y) through academic year 2023. The goal of the program is to reduce vulnerability in our national information infrastructure by promoting higher education and research in cyber defense and producing professionals with cyber defense expertise for the nation.The NSA’s National Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Operations Program supports the President’s National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education. The CAE-Cyber Operations program is intended to be a deeply technical, inter-disciplinary, higher education program firmly grounded in the computer science, computer engineering, and electrical engineering disciplines, with extensive opportunities for hands-on applications via labs/exercises.In response to the designation, FTCC has established a Cyber Defense Education Center on the Fayetteville campus in the General Classroom Building.Mighty Male Mentorship SeminarHONORSSTUDENT OUTREACHSGA Hosts Women’s Empowerment DayIn May, the Student Government Association and Psychology Club invited the public to participate in “A Day of Empowering Women.” The event consisted of a speakers forum and vendor fair. The vendor fair included more than 30 vendors displaying art, jewelry, makeup, fitness information, health products, and self-defense products.PROGRAM EXPANSIONSPictured left to right: FTCC President Dr. J. Larry Keen, William Hedgepeth II (FTCC Board of Trustees Member), Dr. DeSandra Washington (FTCC Associate Vice President of Academic Support), and Kristin McCarthy (United Way Co-Chair of 2017 Campaign)Fayetteville Technical Community College held its annual commencement ceremony on May 18 at 10:00 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville. Wesley A. Meredith, North Carolina Senator and Majority Whip, District 19, served as the keynote speaker. Meredith has deep roots with our institution. He is a 2004 graduate with a degree in horticulture technology and management, a stepping-stone to his successful business, Cardinal Landscaping. In 2017, FTCC honored his commitment to the citizens of Cumberland County and North Carolina and his confidence in FTCC and the North Carolina Community College System by renaming its horticulture center as the Wesley A. Meredith Horticulture Educational Center. During the ceremony, Meredith reminded graduates about the importance of perseverance and passion. “Whatever it is you love to do, keep pursuing. Your best work is doing what you love. How do you deal with failure? Don’t give up.” The 56th Annual Graduation Observance11FTCC ANNUAL REPORTWWW.FAYTECHCC.EDUTotal number of associate degrees/certificates/diplomas awarded2,498 5,797 Total graduates of the 2018 Commencement Ceremony Graduates of Adult High School & High School Equivalency Programs210 12FTCC ANNUAL REPORTAbove Top: Danielle Losh’s family, from left to right: grandfather Joseph Lakawicz, mother Judith Losh, and son Liam attend her graduation on May 18, 2018.Above Middle: Danielle Losh and father Brad Losh share the moment with a quick photo taken immediately after Danielle received her diploma. Left & Above Bottom: Danielle Losh in May during commencement ceremonies. GRADUATE PROFILES13FTCC ANNUAL REPORTWWW.FAYTECHCC.EDUNEVERTHELESS, SHE PERSISTEDA graduate’s story of motherhood, family, and making dreams realityNearly three years ago, Danielle Losh plummeted to her lowest point. Her marriage ran its course. She lived in Wisconsin, her former husband’s home state, at the time. She had nowhere else to go but back home. All she had to her name was $100, a Kia Sorrento, two dogs, and her son, Liam, who was 2 years old at the time. “I didn’t have a job lined up, and I didn’t know what I was going to do,” Losh said.Before the marriage, Losh attended school at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She decided to be a stay-at-home mom after Liam’s birth, a decision short-lived for Losh.“I knew I needed to go back to school and get a degree,” Losh said about the decision to move back home. “I knew I had to pick myself up and do it for my son and make a better life for us ... I knew that school was the only way to do it.”Returning to school and her family was the right choice for Losh. Her father, Brad Losh, met his youngest child and grandson in West Virginia. He filled Losh’s gas tank and bought them food for the rest of the trip. “As a parent, it’s really hard to watch your child hit rock bottom,” he said. “Watching her go through the trials and tribulations at such a young age, it was difficult, but I knew she’d become an amazing young woman at the end of the journey.”RENOVATIONS BEGINThe pair began renovations on a home owned by Losh’s mother, Judith Anne Losh. Judith helped, too. Judith Losh didn’t hesitate to help her daughter with daycare and living expenses. “My parents raised me to believe your family is everything, and you take care of your own first,” Judith Losh said. “I told her, ‘We will do this.’ There was no choice, no thinking about it. Just, I got your back.”Losh decided to enroll in college again. She chose Fayetteville Technical Community College. She found a mostly online program, Healthcare Management Technology. In addition, Brad Losh has worked at FTCC as a media specialist for nearly 30 years; he has worked as a professional photographer for 38 years.“My dad was really excited about me coming here, and I’ve seen he has so much love for the school, and to see me graduating from the school would be awesome for him,” she said. “And the instructors are great. I’m glad I chose FTCC.”As Losh fulfilled her end of the bargain, so did her family. Liam would stay with his granddad while Losh went to campus for an hours-long science lab one semester. On weekends, Liam would stay with his grandma. “I could hear the panic in her voice, and I know she doesn’t like to ask for help, I don’t like to ask for help,” Judith Losh said. “We all chipped in and did what we had to do. Getting her through was important.”Some days, Liam knew mom had to concentrate when his grandparents couldn’t watch him. He would quietly cozy up next to his mom with an iPad or a book.“I don’t think I would have had that much driving force to do better had I not had Liam,” she said. “When you have a 2-year-old looking up to you, you have that driving force to buckle down and make a better life. He was my reason for all of it.”MAY 18It was graduation day. Her GPA? A 4.0. Her mother, Liam, Grandfather Joseph Lakawicz, and close friends waited in the crowd. Brad Losh, camera in hand, waited at the stage’s end to capture a picture of his daughter accepting her degree.“I knew the shot I wanted to take of her, and I told her I would be waiting to give her a hug,” Brad Losh said. “As a dad, I’m proud. She’s a very smart girl, and she’s starting to realize her potential.”After Brad Losh snapped the picture of his daughter, he hugged her. Her family, a few feet behind them, cheered as Liam shouted, “Yay, Mommy! You did it!” Judith Losh said Liam was “her voice” in that moment.“It was an absolute shining moment, my heart was so full, and my heart overflowed into my eyes just a little bit,” Judith Losh remembered. “To see Danielle smile all the way up to her eyes, to see the relief on her face was worth every single moment of her struggles and convincing her she could do it.”THE STORY CONTINUESRoughly two weeks after graduation, Losh accepted a job offer to work as an optometric technician for an eye doctor’s office in Robeson County. Losh also plans to pursue her bachelor’s degree in the coming year. Judith Losh hopes there’s a lesson others can take away from her daughter’s journey so far.“I hope other women can look at her story and say ‘Because she did it, so can I,’” she said. How Losh describes everything during her college journey covers her graduation cap in sparkly, white and pink stones. A phrase: “Nevertheless, she persisted.”“It was very fitting for my journey,” Losh said about the phrase. “For a long time, I’ve been dreaming of graduating. That phrase stuck with me. When I could have easily given up, I saw [Liam] was looking up to me. I want to make him proud so when he grows up he knows, ‘If mom did this, then I can do this.’”“I’m so honored to announce that I have been chosen to be one of the undergraduate researchers of the Bme-Sim (Biomedical Engineering in Simulation, Imaging and Modeling) Program at East Carolina University this summer. I’ve known that I was in the program for a couple of months now, but the exceptional nature of this opportunity almost made it hard for me to believe. This is a 10-week selective undergraduate research opportunity in biomedical engineering at ECU. I will be researching possible improvements on dynamic MRI for the purpose of studying velopharyngeal motions in human speech. As a disabled person, I never thought that I would be doing something so potentially impactful for people like myself so soon. There are so many people and organizations that have helped me reach this milestone. First, Fayetteville Technical Community College and the amazing professors I worked with gave me the ability to reach my potential like nowhere else … Though I’m sad to go, they’ve helped me improve beyond my wildest dreams. The fact that this amazing community college has helped me to receive two associate’s degrees at the age of 18 is proof enough that they’ve been extremely supportive. It appears that I will be the only one of ten other participants from a community college, and I am proud to represent them through my research.My parents and siblings have been amazing as well. I was homeschooled until I was 16 when I started attending FTCC, and this guidance and dedication have served me well. I know that I wouldn’t be the same person without my homeschooling experiences! And, of course, to the Bme-Sim NSF (National Science Foundation) REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) Program staff for being such a joy to work with and for choosing me in the first place, thank you so much.” Shea Taran Middleton, 18, Hope Mills resident, double major in science and arts, future East Carolina University engineering graduate.CLASS OF ‘18Graduates share their testimonials and triumphsSHEAShea and Ravin Middleton are siblings who both graduated in 2018GRADUATE PROFILES15FTCC ANNUAL REPORTWWW.FAYTECHCC.EDU “I served for two years, and I have PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). This is my service dog, Baxter, a Boston terrier. He has been my service dog for five years. Whenever I get nervous, anxious, or upset, he gets in my face and comforts me. I want to give a shout out to Ms. Gillis, Ms. Strickland, and Ms. White. FTCC, the faculty, and the staff have been so supportive. I’m speechless right now about graduating.” Heather Anderson, Army veteran, Medical Office Administration graduate.“Today (May 18), I graduated from FTCC. I started college at 15, and [it has] been an insanely crazy ride, but I met so many incredible people and had so many great experiences along the way. I have so many people to thank, but most of all, I owe it all to my family. They taught me to never give up, and they gave me the strength I needed to persevere through anything. To everyone out there, you can do absolutely anything you set your mind to. Now, it’s on to the next degree.” Ravin Middleton, 17, Associate of Arts degree, Hope Mills resident.RAVINHEATHERRavin Middleton graduated with her Associate in Arts Degree.Heather and Baxter (above) walked across the stage together on May 18.16FTCC ANNUAL REPORTNorth Carolina State University’s Goodnight Scholars Program named Fayetteville Technical Community College graduate Grace Gore as a recipient of the prestigious scholarship focused on supporting students who want to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and/or educational fields. Gore, 20, described herself as “overwhelmed” by the honor from the scholars program. “I do not view it as an award for individual achievement, but rather a recognition of the passion and excellence of the educators who have invested in me,” she wrote in an email. “I am excited to join this community of scholars and to strive to meet my full potential, discover new possibilities for my future, and seek opportunities for my scientific passions to advance the Goodnight Scholars initiative to ‘pay it forward.’”Gore is the first student from FTCC to receive the scholarship worth up to $20,000 annually. Gore joins 14 other students from across the state who will comprise the program’s Transfer Class of 2021. Gore was one of 107 applicants statewide who applied for the program. She plans to study biochemistry at NC State. More than 200 students have been a part of the scholars program. Recipients meet with local and national STEM leaders, participate in workshops and even travel internationally for service projects, according to NC State University’s website.Gore doesn’t need to speak about her interests in science. It can be seen sometimes in a navy-colored scarf she layers around her neck. The scarf is decorated with equations, solutions, beakers filled with liquid, smoke wafting from cylinders and colored molecules. While at FTCC, Gore was president of the Science Club and a member of Sigma Kappa Delta, a national English Honor Society for two-year college students, and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She graduated with a double major in arts and science. “Science was never estranged from me, and I’ve liked it from a young age,” Gore said. “I’ve always been interested in why things are the way they are from a minute level, even from sitting in a lecture where something is so abstract but has a definite cause.”She began learning about natural sciences as a home school student, taught by her mother Ruth Gore. Gore’s eldest sister, Anna, works as a cellular microbiologist. Gore didn’t attend a “traditional” classroom until she came to FTCC as a High School Connections student. Ruth Gore thought her youngest daughter would lean more toward the arts for a career. She said Gore sings, plays the piano, and creates pencil sketches. She also cooks, personally grinding wheat into the flour she uses for baking.“She and I read aloud – exhaustively – books from her list of 100 classics she wanted to finish before leaving school,” Ruth Gore added with a laugh.Graduate Grace Gore named NCSU’s Goodnight ScholarGRADUATE PROFILES‘Intellectually, an Equal’17FTCC ANNUAL REPORTWWW.FAYTECHCC.EDUA FEELING OF RESPONSIBILITYRuth Gore realized her youngest daughter chose science after she took a chemistry class at FTCC and “fell in love with it.”Her mother added, “I’m amazed at how she came home from school every day, and I would say, ‘How was school?’ and she would say ‘Fantastic!’ I think her attitude made her experience everything it could be. I don’t think [NC State] can choose a better candidate who can make the most of every opportunity in the program. I sure am going to miss having her under the same roof.”She continued, “She said this is what she wants to do. I told her to seek instructors who were passionate about their field because they make a subject come alive. Now, she considers her instructors her friends. They’ve been a marvelous influence.”And one of those instructors is Karis King. She’s taught English at FTCC since 1999. King met Gore in 2015 when she took English 111. King taught Gore for three semesters. It wasn’t hard to notice Gore for more than just high grades. King noticed Gore’s attentive-ness and willingness to understand opposing views during passion-ate debates in English class. Gore also used the word “dialogical” while analyzing a woman’s internal thoughts and conversations with a bad dancer, coupled with societal standards, in Dorothy Parker’s short story “The Waltz.”“She has a desire to find all the language she can, not to show off, but to give a voice to the many ideas she has as a powerful analyst and thinker,” King said. She laughed to herself before speaking again. “It broke my heart she wanted to be a science major when she’s so good at many things like photography, being an essayist and analyst.”The pair may not agree on Gore’s career path but they do in one area: Thursdays. On those afternoons, Gore stops by King’s office in Cumberland Hall. The smell of fresh fruit covered King’s office as a teapot boiled nearby. They filled porcelain cups, decorated in bright flowers, with different tea flavors every week. They talk life, current events, travel, books and more not as “instructor and student,” but as friends. “I’m so proud of her,” King said as she caught a tear on the tip of her fingernail. “This means someone of Grace’s caliber will use this opportunity to learn and pay it forward. I imagine that’s why they selected her. Her name will probably be next to Marie Curie’s someday. Intellectually, she’s my colleague.”Gore began attending NC State in August. She understands the importance of not just the scholarship, but also her interests in STEM as a woman. The field has come under scrutiny through the years for having few women in the field. That’s something Gore hopes she can help change. “I feel I have a bit of responsibility to encourage anyone, particularly young women, to be involved in STEM,” she said. “My sister encouraged me. I know there are women who need that in their life.”Grace Gore smiles as she sits among other 2018 graduates during the college’s 56th Annual Commencement Ceremony at the Crown Coliseum on May 18, 2018. Karis King, left, smiles at her former student and graduate, Grace Gore, during the college’s 56th Annual Commencement Ceremony on May 18, 2018 at the Crown Coliseum. King, an English instructor at our college, taught Gore for three semesters. King and Gore developed a friendship the last few years that includes afternoon tea some weeks.18FTCC ANNUAL REPORTOne former student’s successes don’t surprise Charisse Gainey, Fayetteville Technical Community College’s Department Chair of the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Program. Her name is Jasmine McKoy, a 25-year-old who’s living in Garner. McKoy attended FTCC in 2017 as a “special credits student.” She already earned her bachelor’s degree at North Carolina A&T State University. She took courses at FTCC to qualify for the state exam, allowing her to become a certified speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA).“I must admit, we have very good students, and many of our students have the skills and such great caliber and tenacity for the profession when they graduate,” Gainey, who taught McKoy, said. “But Jasmine sets herself apart from many others. There are many doors opening for her because she walks in favor.”One of those doors opened last fall. McKoy earned the honor to speak at the 2017 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) Convention in Los Angeles in November. Gainey said McKoy was the only SLPA to present while other presenters have already earned their master’s or doctorate degree. Professionals in the field help children and adults with a variety of disorders affecting their speech, language, social communication and more, according to ASHA’s website. At the convention, McKoy presented her research on “The Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Language Acquisition, and The Best Practices for Speech Language Professionals.”McKoy described herself as “shocked” when she learned her research would reach a national audience. In Los Angeles, people asked questions about her presentation, noting they worked in schools with children from low-income backgrounds. She previously presented the topic this spring at the North Carolina Speech Hearing & Language Association’s Annual Convention.Former student Jasmine McKoy takes speech- language pathology work nationally AROUND CAMPUS ‘I’M DOING SOMETHING RIGHT’Next >