SUCCESS STORIES
David Roman Class of 2014
David Roman is a step closer to the political career he’s dreamed about, thanks to hard work and determination – and a little help from friends at Wake Tech. David graduated in May 2014 and immediately caught a train to Washington, D.C., for a summer internship in the office of Representative David Price. That opportunity was not something he expected when he first entered Wake Tech.
“I am appreciative of all the support I have received from the Wake Tech family.”
David came to Wake Tech because he didn’t quite feel ready for university life.. He served as a senator in the Wake Tech Student Government Association, volunteered with the International Friends Club to help the homeless, and stayed active with Campus Crusade for Christ, all while maintaining a grade point average of 4.0. He also had the chance to meet Representative David Price when the congressman visited the Northern Wake Campus. When Rep. Price invited David to apply for an internship, he realized he would have a lot to do to get ready – find housing, put together a professional wardrobe, and figure out how to cover the costs of life in D.C. That’s when the Wake Tech community rallied to make David’s opportunity a reality. A number of college leaders – including President Stephen Scott – donated suits, ties, and funds to help with living expenses; others helped David find accommodations to make his stay in D.C. affordable. “I’m appreciative of all the support I have received from the Wake Tech family,” says David. “I’m overjoyed and full of positive energy from the people here.” Of everything the Wake Tech community provided, David says nothing means more to him than the Wake Tech lapel pins Dr. Scott placed on every suit jacket. “Wake Tech is always in my heart, and now I will be able to show everyone how much it means to me.”
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Chris Angel Chris Angel always knew he wanted to be his own boss. After 15 years in the global software industry, he decided to strike out on his own. In 2009, he enrolled in a course called “Planning the Entrepreneurial Venture” offered through the Wake Tech Wachovia Wells Fargo Center for Entrepreneurship. The course helped Chris develop financing strategies and write a business plan. Chris pitched his idea to Raleigh developer John Kane, who was impressed. “The business plan that Chris put together was thoughtful, thorough and achievable,” Kane says. “It’s the reason we agreed to invest in the project and enter into a long-term lease.” Chris and his business partner broke ground in the posh North Hills complex in June 2010. Their bowling boutique, “Sparians,” opened less than six months later, boasting full-service lanes, an upscale menu, private suites, and a plush lounge. Chris says business was booming. “In the first three months, we welcomed more than 100,000 customers and hosted 325 group events, including the Carolina Hurricanes’ Super Bowl party!”
“I am living a dream, thanks to Wake Tech.”
In late 2013, Chris sold Sparians, and moved on to other ventures. Chris says Wake Tech made his success possible. “The tools and resources from the PEV course were invaluable,” he says. “I am living a dream, thanks to Wake Tech.”
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Kumar Chandrashekaran Class of 2014
Forty-one year old Kumar Chandrashekaran has come a long way from his years growing up in India. He moved to the United States for a better life and spent years working in the culinary industry. But as the manager of a fast food restaurant, Kumar realizes he had gone as far as he could within that organization and decided it was time for a change. “I wanted to find a new career,” he says. Some of Kumar’s co-workers had taken classes at Wake Tech and recommended it. “Wake Tech is affordable,” Kumar says. “I realized I could quit my job and become a fulltime student!”
“Wake Tech is steering me in the right direction.”
Kumar didn’t just sign up for a few classes; he threw himself into his studies! He graduated with two degrees: an Associate in Arts for college transfer and an associate’s degree in Business Administration. Kumar is also dedicated to the Wake Tech community. He served as president of Phi Beta Lambda (PBL), the national academic organization for students in business and leadership, won two awards at the 2013 PBL State Leadership Conference, and was the 2014 Academic Excellence Award winner for the Business and Public Services Technologies Division. Kumar, who has a wife and two young daughters, also volunteers. He helped pack meals for underprivileged children as part of a Wake Tech service project. “I enjoy giving back to the community.” Kumar says. “Education is important, but I want to be well rounded.” Kumar has big plans for his future. Ultimately, he would like to work at the corporate level and he’s confident he will make it. “Wake Tech is steering me in the right direction.”
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Candis Parker Class of 2013
At 30, Candis Parker is enjoying a new career – one that she was surprised to find she wanted! Candis was an event planner and interior designer when she came to Wake Tech in 2011. She signed up for architecture classes with the goal of broadening her skills; but after three construction courses, she discovered a keen interest in construction management. She decided to pursue an associate’s degree and enrolled as a full-time student. Candis excelled in the program, making the President’s List almost every semester. “The hands-on training and guidance from instructors helped me discover my strengths and what was right for me,” she says. Candis also became the very first recipient of a new scholarship named after Wake Tech’s president, Dr. Stephen Scott. As the first Scott Scholar, she participated in leadership development activities while pursuing her studies. “The scholarship was a great honor,” Candis says; “It really boosted my confidence.” Candis was selected to speak at Wake Tech’s 50th anniversary kick-off celebration, and at her spring 2013 graduation ceremony. Afterward, she jumped right into her new career. An internship at Balfour Beatty, a leader in the U.S. commercial construction industry, turned into a job offer! Candis accepted a position as a project engineer in the preconstruction department. Candis says Wake Tech helped her discover her passion and learn tools for a new career. “My experience at Wake Tech was life changing. The college helped me figure out exactly what I wanted to do.”
“My experience at Wake Tech was life changing. The college helped me figure out exactly what I wanted to do.”
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David Wingler Class of 2014
When ABB, an international leader in power and automation technologies, offered a co-op position to Wake Tech student David Wingler, the company strengthened an already-powerful partnership. David, who studied electronics engineering, got the opportunity to work at ABB’s facility in New Berlin, Wisconsin, in the summer of 2013, focusing on industrial control systems. “It was an exciting opportunity,” he says. “Wake Tech instructors prepared me with hands-on training, and it’s great to be able to use what I’ve learned!”
“I’m very excited about this opportunity.”
This was the first time that ABB had offered a coop opportunity to a Wake Tech student, and it reaffirmed the support the company pledged to the college in 2012. ABB made a generous threeyear, $150,000 commitment to Wake Tech’s major gifts campaign, called “The Ripple Effect.” The gift will provide scholarships for outstanding students, encourage creative faculty initiatives, and help Wake Tech leverage technology and equipment to serve the community better. The ultimate goal is to have a positive and lasting impact on the local job market and the regional economy. The Wake Tech-ABB partnership is truly a “win-win” – for the college, the company, and the community. Thanks to ABB’s support, students like David train on cutting-edge equipment while enjoying access to scholarships and employment opportunities. David went on to earn an Associate in Applied Science degree, and was awarded the 2014 Academic Excellence Award for the Applied Engineering and Technologies Division.
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Nancy Coggins Class of 1989
When Nancy Coggins decided to continue her education at the age of 42, she was apprehensive. “I hadn’t taken math in years!” she laughs. But in 1986, after working in a pediatrician’s office for years (first as a medical assistant and then as a supervisor), Nancy was determined to earn a nursing degree. “I woke up one morning and without telling anyone enrolled at Wake Tech,” she says. With a teenaged son at home, Nancy worked full time and took classes at night. Juggling her busy schedule was tough, she says, but she had support. “The instructors at Wake Tech convinced me I could do it! They believe students can succeed at any age!” Three years later, Nancy earned her degree and became a registered nurse– and her education and credentials enhanced her career greatly. Nancy is now the Practice Administrator of Raleigh Pediatrics, supervising two offices and dozens of employees. When the practice expanded into new buildings, she even helped with the designs. “I love coming to work every day. I would not have this position if it weren’t for Wake Tech – the college gave me the confidence to figure out what I wanted to do.”
“Wake Tech gave me the confidence to figure out what I wanted to do.”
Wake Tech is a family affair for Nancy. Her stepdaughter also earned a Nursing degree from Wake Tech, and her husband, Bud, serves on the Board of Directors for the Wake Tech Foundation. “We’re pretty passionate about Wake Tech,” Nancy says. “I always say Wake Tech has something for everyone!”
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Avalon Taylor Class of 1969
As a new wife and mother, Avalon Taylor had big dreams when she was 18 years old. She was certain of two things: she didn’t want to be a housewife, and she didn’t want to become a nurse! But her plans took an unexpected turn when she saw a television ad for the licensed practical nursing (LPN) program at Wake Tech (then called W.W. Holding Industrial Education Center). “The commercial said you could have a career for $60,” Taylor says. “My husband drove me there, and I signed up!”
“Wake Tech has been a blessing to me – and to all the people I helped as a nurse.”
The program was taught at Wake Memorial Hospital (now Wake Med) in Raleigh. The work was hard, Taylor remembers, and the instructors strict but supportive. “They were very approachable,” she says, and “always willing to listen.” Taylor’s husband and extended family were also behind her – even neighbors helped with childcare so she could attend classes. In 1964, she became one of Wake Tech’s first nursing graduates, and the only African-American in her class of 11 women. After graduation, Taylor began a career in nursing that would span 46 years. She worked at Wake Memorial Hospital, WakeMed Health & Hospitals, the Wake County Jail, Holly Hill Hospital, and the NC Correctional Institution for Women. Along the way, Taylor returned to Wake Tech to further her education, earning an associate’s degree in nursing in 1992. She retired in 2010. Taylor says her life would not be the same without Wake Tech. “That commercial changed my life. Wake Tech has been a blessing to me – and to all the people I helped as a nurse.”
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Rachel Selisker Class of 1976
Rachel Selisker is one of the Triangle’s most successful professionals. As a 1976 graduate of Wake Tech’s accounting program, Rachel worked at several firms before setting her sights on becoming a Certified Public Accountant. She passed the CPA exam in 1987 and was offered a position as Director of Finance for a small clinical research organization called Quintiles. “It was a wonderful opportunity,” she says, “and I loved what I did.” As that small company expanded into dozens of countries and added thousands of employees, Selisker stood at the helm as Chief Financial Officer. “If someone had told me this would happen when I first took the job, I would have been intimidated!” she says. Instead, she built on the confidence she had discovered in herself as a student years earlier: “It was at Wake Tech that I realized I could apply myself and learn whatever I wanted to!” Selisker now works as a consultant and volunteers for several community organizations, including the Wake Tech Foundation Board of Directors, where she is both fundraiser and benefactor. She and her husband, also a Wake Tech grad, donated $25,000 to launch the Scott Scholars Presidential Scholarship Fund, which provides students with an opportunity to pursue studies while participating in leadership development. Her goal is to inspire others to become their best, the same way she was inspired when she was a student. “I attribute a great deal of the success in my career with making the decision to attend Wake Tech.”
“I attribute a great deal of the success in my career with making the decision to attend Wake Tech.”
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Matt Purvis Class of 2010
“The instructors at Wake Tech really prepared me to succeed.”
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Thirty-two-year-old Matt Purvis has plans for the future – designing cell phones and other communication devices – and he tends to accomplish what he sets out to do. Matt, who lives with his family in Garner, served in the U.S. Army for six years before enrolling at Wake Tech in 2009 as a college transfer student in preengineering. With college credits he had accumulated over the years, Matt was able to complete an Associate in Science degree in just one year. He graduated from Wake Tech and promptly enrolled at NC State. The transfer, he says, was smooth and seamless: “I didn’t miss a beat. The quality of Wake Tech’s math, science, and physics classes made it an easy transition.” Matt is working on a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in electrical engineering concurrently at NC State, maintaining a GPA of 4.0. His efforts were recognized by NCSU, when he received the 2012-2013 College of Engineering Faculty Senior Scholarship Award, a prestigious undergraduate honor recognizing academic, extra-curricular, and community achievement. Matt represented the Electrical Engineering department as he competed for the award against top students from eight other departments. The award includes a $5,000 prize that he says he will use toward tuition. “The instructors at Wake Tech really prepared me to succeed at NC State,” Matt says. “It’s been a lot of hard work, but it is definitely paying off!”
Oneal Campbell Class of 2013
It’s truly a whole new world of opportunities for 33-year-old Wake Tech student Oneal Campbell. Just four years ago, he was living in Kingston, Jamaica, working in retail and barely making ends meet. Now Oneal and his wife live in Raleigh, North Carolina, and he’s a graduate of Wake Tech’s Biopharmaceutical Technology program. “It’s always been my dream to come to the United States,” Oneal says. After moving to Raleigh so his wife could teach elementary school, Oneal enrolled at Wake Tech and joined the Pathways Leadership Initiative, a mentoring program that supports minority male students. Oneal took advantage of Pathways workshops and volunteered in the program as well. “The Pathways program was a lifeline for me,” he says. “I’ve received guidance on my grades, networking approaches, and even my family life.” Oneal could not afford to take more than one course per semester when he first arrived at Wake Tech, but with the help of his wife and a merit-based scholarship from the Wake Tech Foundation, he was able to take a full-time course load! Oneal was also selected to participate in the NC Community College System’s Student Leadership Development Program.
“Wake Tech’s Pathways program has been a lifeline for me.”
Oneal has high hopes for the future. He plans continue his studies and pursue a career in health care. He also plans to become a U.S. citizen. “Living in the United States is a blessing,” Oneal says. “There are unlimited opportunities here and so many things to accomplish!”
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Judge Paul Gessner Class of 1985
North Carolina Superior Court Judge Paul Gessner is one of the state’s most powerful trial judges, presiding over high-profile cases and ruling in civil lawsuits and felony trials. His journey to the bench began more than 25 years ago on the street – as a Raleigh police officer. Gessner wanted to further his career, so he enrolled in Wake Tech’s Criminal Justice program. “I wanted hands-on training,” he says, “and a quality education that was affordable.” Gessner earned an associate’s degree from Wake Tech in 1985; three years later he earned his bachelor’s degree and went on to graduate from law school.
“If it weren’t for Wake Tech, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing today.”
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Gessner’s career as a prosecutor started in the Wake County District Attorney’s Office. In 1996, he turned his attention to the bench and was elected a Wake County District Court judge. Ten years later, Gessner was elected to serve on North Carolina’s Superior Court. He states emphatically that Wake Tech helped to shape his success. “The college provided a foundation for my career path,” he says. “If it weren’t for Wake Tech, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing today.”
Jerry Johnson Jerry Johnson is energized about energy: “We’re making renewable energy out of landfill gas!” As Vice President of Capital Projects at Waste Industries, Jerry is in charge of Black Creek Renewable Energy, a project that turns gas produced at a Sampson County landfill into electricity and powers 4,000 area homes. Jerry’s professional life includes supervising multimillion dollar projects, but his background is a modest one. Growing up on a farm in Johnston County, Jerry’s only option for higher education was community college. “At 19, Wake Tech made sense to me – dollars and cents,” he says. “It was affordable, and I could continue to work while going to school.” Jerry did work, as a trucker, while taking civil engineering classes at Wake Tech (then called W.W. Holding Technical Institute). Within a few years he was designing and building recycling facilities. He joined Waste Industries in 1991 and worked his way up to the executive team. He says he owes much of his success to his Wake Tech instructors and the hands-on training he received. “Wake Tech helped me get where I am today,” Jerry says. “The college kick-started my career, and it’s the reason I’ve had 37 years of success.”
“Wake Tech helped me get where I am today.”
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Aaron Stumb Class of 1996
Aaron Stumb is cooking up quite a reputation as executive chef at Durham’s highly-successful Mez Contemporary Mexican Restaurant! He’s been running the kitchen at Mez, part of the Chapel Hill Restaurant Group, since it opened six years ago, and he also teaches classes at A Southern Season in Chapel Hill. Before joining Mez, Aaron learned all about kitchen management while working for a national corporate restaurant group. He also worked at several Triangle restaurants – but his first taste of culinary arts was at Wake Tech.
“I still use the techniques I learned at Wake Tech.”
Aaron enrolled at Wake Tech in the mid 90s without a career goal – but that changed the day he read a brochure describing the college’s culinary program. He began taking classes and quickly realized he had more than a passing interest: “I found a drive and passion for cooking at Wake Tech. My instructors opened my eyes to the culinary world.” Aaron excelled in the kitchen, and in 1996, graduated with an associate’s degree. Soon after, he got his first job in a restaurant kitchen, and he has been working (and moving up) steadily ever since. In addition to his demanding job, Aaron is a devoted father, an adjunct instructor in Wake Tech’s Culinary Arts program, and an active member of the program’s advisory board. He has also provided co-op opportunities for Wake Tech students at Mez, and has hired several graduates. “We have Wake Tech grads sprinkled throughout the company,” Aaron says. “I know exactly where to go for talented chefs!” Aaron has also been the driving force behind Chapel Hill Restaurant Group’s support of Wake Tech’s annual Culinary Arts Showcase. Aaron was recognized for his many contributions to Wake Tech, as the recipient of the 2014 Distinguished Alumni reward. “I am very humbled by this recognition. I am happy to give back to Wake Tech – the college laid the foundation for my career and changed my life.”
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Cynthia Motley Cynthia Motley is embarking on a new career in hospitality. After 20 years in the information technology industry, Cynthia was laid off and decided to make a career change. She learned about Wake Tech’s new 10-week START (Skills, Tasks and Results Training) hospitality course after visiting an Employment Security Commission office, and thought she would give it a try. It wasn’t easy. “I had to do a lot of studying and the exams were tough,” Cynthia says, “but it was very rewarding.” Cynthia’s dedication paid off. She landed a part-time job as a front desk associate two weeks before she completed the course, and once she finished the program, additional offers flooded in. “I was able to pick and choose where I wanted to work, thanks to Wake Tech’s START program,” Cynthia says. She settled on a position as a full-time room service attendant at a hotel in Raleigh and is making plans for her future. “This is a great opportunity and gets my foot in the door to get involved in banquets and events,” Cynthia says. “I want to move up the corporate ladder and hopefully become a sales director or even a divisional manager.”
“Thanks to Wake Tech’s START program, I was able to pick and choose where I wanted to work.”
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Samantha Jodrie Class of 2013
After high school, Samantha Jodrie went to work, convinced she was not “cut out” for college. It didn’t take long for her to realize, however, that she didn’t want to work in a deli forever. She loved cutting and styling her mother’s and sister’s hair, and one day something clicked: Why not pursue a career as a hair stylist? “Everyone encouraged me to try it,” she says.
“I’m learning, but it doesn’t feel like work because it’s something that I’m interested in!”
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Samantha traded her job at the deli for a position as a receptionist in a Cary hair salon and enrolled in Wake Tech’s cosmetology program. Her college experience has been better than she ever imagined. “I love it,” she says. “I’m learning, but it doesn’t feel like work because it’s something that I’m interested in! I’m not just sitting in a classroom; this is hands-on training.” With the new skills she’s acquiring, Samantha will soon be able to earn a living doing what she loves—a career she is clearly cut out for! The owner of the salon where she works part-time has already promised her a fulltime job as a stylist as soon as she graduates. “I can’t wait!” she says.
Veronica Puente Class of 2014
Veronica Puente was a standout at Wake Tech. The honor student graduated in 2014 with an Associate in Arts degree after an exceptional year. She was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the largest honor society in American higher education, and received the 2013 Community College Scholarship Award from NC AHEAD, the North Carolina chapter of the Association of Higher Education and Disability. Veronica, who is blind, was the only NC community college student to receive the award that year, a $500 scholarship. Veronica says disability support services and her instructors played a huge role in her success. “Wake Tech sparked my interest in education,” she says. “The personal attention really helped me do well in my classes.” Carolyn Koning, Disability Support Services Coordinator at Wake Tech, says “Veronica was a remarkable student. She is exceptionally bright, tenacious, and diligent – everything Veronica does, she does well.” Veronica enrolled at Wake Tech in 2011 after graduating from high school. She was the first in her family to attend college and plans to continue her studies in International Relations. Veronica’s goal is to help educate people, especially those outside the United States, about people with disabilities. “We can reach our goals. We just need the tools to make it happen.”
“Wake Tech sparked my interest in education.”
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Chief Pat Bazemore Class of 1986
There’s a first time for everything. No one knows that better than Wake Tech alum Pat Bazemore, whose career has been one “first” after another. Bazemore, Cary’s Chief of Police, got her first crime-fighting job 20+ years ago, after graduating from Wake Tech with an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice. The Cary Police Department hired her as a patrol officer, and she loved it!
“Without having gone through the Criminal Justice program at Wake Tech, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
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Bazemore worked hard and began to rise in the department’s ranks – becoming the first female sergeant, first female lieutenant, first female captain, first female major, the first deputy chief, and now the first woman Police Chief in the town’s history. As she rose within the department, she added educational credentials as well, earning her Bachelor’s Degree from Campbell University and her MBA from Pfeiffer University. “It’s the pinnacle of my career,” Bazemore says, “knowing that I have the support of the town staff, the department, and the community.” While Bazemore’s hard work and achievements are impressive, she credits Wake Tech with giving her a solid start and a strong foundation upon which to grow. “Without having gone through the Criminal Justice program at Wake Tech, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Terry Baldwin Class of 1997
Forty-four-year-old Terry Baldwin is a man with a plan – a plan made years ago. After high school, Terry wanted to go to college, but funds were scarce. “So,” he says, “my plan was to go into the military, serve my country, and then go to Wake Tech on the GI bill.” He enlisted in the Navy in 1990, and worked as a mechanic during Desert Storm. The work suited him well and he advanced quickly; when his tour ended, his commanding officer asked him to stay. Terry surprised the officer by saying no and telling him he planned to go to college back at home. Terry graduated from Wake Tech’s Heavy Equipment Mechanics program in 1997. He’s worked at the NC Department of Transportation for the past 16 years and was recently promoted to Advanced Diagnostics Technician. “I got great training from instructor Ronnie Lowe,” Terry says, “and I use what he taught me all the time – even OHM’s law and PASCAL’s law.” He says staying current on new technologies is critical in his field, so he will be returning to Wake Tech in the spring to upgrade his computer skills. Terry is now a father of two and glad that he stuck to his plan. “It feels good to know I can pay the bills and buy my children some of the things they want,” he says. “Going to Wake Tech was the best move I ever made.”
“Going to Wake Tech was the best move I ever made.”
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Wake Tech creates success – for students, employers, and the industries that drive North Carolina’s economy. Wake Tech offers relevant instruction, expert guidance, and support to help students change their lives: students need to excel – from new graduates and eager entrepreneurs to specialized technicians and skilled professionals. Successful people in a variety of fields give credit to the top-quality education and training they received at Wake Tech.
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