Student Spotlight

2018 | 2019 CFCC FACES STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Meet Caitlin Graybill, CFCC’s first female Electrical Lineworker program graduate. Miserable at her desk job and done with taking classes she wasn’t truly interested in, Caitlin knew she needed a change. Her love for the outdoors and craftsmanship led her to CFCC’s Electrical Lineworker training program. Caitlin conquered waves of self-doubt and temptations to quit, but when those times came she reminded herself of just how badly she wanted it. The training program gave Caitlin the support and knowledge base she needed to take a job after graduation. Caitlin is now happily employed by Volt Power.

2018 CFCC Medical Sonography Alum, Jessica Pizzo is unstoppable! One month after graduation, Jessica got a job at Duke University Medical Center, two months later she got elected to the board of the North Carolina Ultrasound Society, and she is now also serving on two hospital committees. Jessica is passionate about her career and patients, and her enthusiasm for CFCC is off the charts.

“Don’t be afraid - you’re going to learn so much and get a lot out of it” Pizzo wants students to know.

CFCC student, Bradford Olson is taking his skills in an exciting direction.

Recently hired to serve as the local music director for a musical adaptation of “Mr. Holland’s Opus,” CFCC fine arts student Bradford Olson will work alongside the esteemed Tony Award Winner BD Wong and Drama Desk Award Winner Wayne Barker. It’s a great honor that our area and the Wilson Center were chosen for this production. In an interview with WWAY, BD Wong describes the Cape Fear area as “magical” and a “location with people dedicated to being in theatre.”

At this time, the premiere of this highly-anticipated show is unknown due to COVID-19. Monitor wilsoncentertickets.com for updates.

“Doing something this large and doing it at the wonderful venue that is the Wilson Center at CFCC is truly the best professional experience I have ever taken a part in.”

2018 | 2019 CFCC FACES STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

After earning her Associate in General Education from CFCC in 2016, Victoria Morrison was diagnosed with Epilepsy, a central nervous disorder, and Hashimoto’s Hypothyroidism - a disease that causes the immune system to attack thyroid cells. Academic achievement was the one thing Victoria knew would help her. To her, the excitement that came from excellent grades outperformed all other therapeutic attempts. In the summer of 2017, Victoria received an acceptance letter from the CFCC Pharmacy Technology program. This opportunity for academic success coupled with the chance to embark on a new career path offered Victoria an instrument to heal from the discovery of her newfound illnesses. With Fall 2017 just around the block, Victoria started piecing her life together — she decided her career path and potential, future workplace, began living a healthier lifestyle and got engaged to her high school sweetheart (also a CFCC graduate). Victoria is now employed by a hospital pharmacy, which was her plan. She credits CFCC for helping her find her passion, “In some of the hardest moments of my life, CFCC has helped me strive for better,” said Victoria. “Seeing good grades, instructors’ smiles, and my classmates thrive has given me hope. Four years ago I felt I did not have much hope. But I am here today full of hope, happiness, and prosperity.”

“I am excited to wake up tomorrow and go to the wonderful job that I learned so much about at CFCC. I am excited to go to school on Monday and take two exams because those are some of the last exams I will ever take. I can truly say that I will miss CFCC.”

“I loved living by the water, so I decided to go back to school for training that would get me there,” said Paige McCaleb, Marine Technology student at Cape Fear Community College. Prior to this realization, Paige worked as an esthetician, waitress, and bartender. After ten years living in Savannah, Georgia, she knew she had a heart for the sea. She then stumbled across the marine technology program at CFCC. “I knew from our very first cruise off-shore that I had found the perfect fit for me,” said McCaleb. After graduating in May with an Associate in Applied Science in Marine Technology, Paige moved to Lafayette, Louisiana to begin her career at sea as an offshore surveyor with Furgo, a global Geo-data company. As an offshore surveyor, Paige helps deploy autonomous underwater vehicles, otherwise known as AUVs, to map the ocean floor and use the data to find suitable locations for wind farms and oil rigs. Paige credits the marine technology program, its students and alumni for their unyielding support —“employers know about this program,” said Paige.

“Students get awesome positions and are trusted to do big jobs because of the reputation of this program.”