April 9, 2025

R-CCC Hosts Honors Convocation to Celebrate Academic Excellence

 

AHOSKIE, NC –Roanoke-Chowan Community College (R-CCC) held its annual Honors Convocation on April 3, recognizing outstanding student achievements across various disciplines. The event celebrated students who earned distinctions on the President’s List and Dean’s List for both the Spring and Fall 2024 semesters, as well as recipients of Academic Excellence Departmental Awards and prestigious Presidential Awards.

The convocation featured a keynote address from Dr. LaTonya Nixon-Stith, Vice President of Student Services and Chief DEI Officer at Beaufort County Community College. Nixon-Stith, a former R-CCC Dean of Student Services, delivered an inspiring message to students, encouraging them to embrace resilience, seek mentorship and step boldly into their futures.

"Today, we celebrate not just your academic success but also the perseverance, dedication, and hard work that brought you here," Nixon-Stith said. "Education is the key to unlocking new opportunities, and with it comes the responsibility to uplift others and create meaningful change."

R-CCC Dean of Student Affairs Danielle Ruffin also addressed the honorees, emphasizing the collective effort that contributes to student success. "This event is one of our most treasured traditions because it honors not only our students’ accomplishments but also the support of their families, faculty and community," Ruffin remarked.

Among the event’s highlights was the Presidential Awards presentation of the NC Community College Academic Excellence Award to Javier Pagola Osorio, as well as the recognition of Markee Watford, who was named the regional and state recipient of the Governor Bob Scott Leadership Award. Arnasia S. Harrell was honored as R-CCC’s recipient of the Dallas Herring Award.

President Dr. Murray J. Williams commended the students for their dedication to academic excellence. "This convocation is a testament to the resilience and ambition of our students. Their success reflects not only their hard work but also the unwavering support of their families, faculty, and mentors. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and excited to see what they will accomplish next," Williams said.
The event also recognized students for outstanding performance in their respective academic programs, with honors awarded in fields ranging from Nursing and Business to Cosmetology and Information Technology. 

"The Honors Convocation is a powerful reminder of the perseverance, commitment and excellence that define our students at R-CCC. Each honoree represents not only personal achievement but also the strength of the support systems that walk alongside them—our faculty, staff, families and community partners. We are proud to celebrate these academic milestones and inspired by the bright futures our students are building through education," said Dr. Tanya Oliver, Executive Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs.

Honor Roll recipients – Presidents’ List for Spring 2024 included Bryson G. Andrews, Angel G. Baker, Dashia L. Faison, Shomya J. Futrell, Cameron G. Gatling, Amy N. Harrell, Arnasia S. Harrell, Helen E. Hinson, Althea W. Howard, Greta A. Lassiter, Javier Pagola Osorio, Toneisha H. Rankins, Brandon Sanchez Cisneros, Alanne F. Sumner, Ja’Quan K. Williams and Jesse D. Winn. 

Dean’s List for Spring 2024 included Margarita Alfaro, Chantel M. Askew, Addison B. Askew, Matthew E. Atkins, Colin M. Brock, Ka’Liyah A. Barnes, Marqueze L. Clark, Sondra V. Clark, Elijah D. Cole – Eure, Chase E. Copeland, Landon R. Dunlow, Ashley Ellis, Shelby L. Evans, Montrey O. Everett, Sharon L. Fleming, Ashanti G. Flood, Amanda W. Flythe, Deandra L. Grayson, Tajah X. Greene, Haven C. Hoggard, Sophia L. Howard, Johnathan A. Jenkins, Amari J. Johnson, Shanita S. Jordan, Jocelyn R. Joyner, Amanda L. Lassiter, Dynasia T. Lassiter, Zhaniya I. Leary, Madelyn P. Messer, Lillie M. Mitchell, Breon M. Peele, Desmond M. Perry, John D. Powell, Mariah O. Ramsey, Preston W. Rogers, Cali J. Ruffin, Paul L. Ruffin, Christina B. Strobel, Wynter N. Taylor, Bailey V. Vaughan, Letha O. Vinson and Jacqueline J. Walton.

President’s List for Fall 2024 included Bryson G. Andrews, Ashley N. Boyd, Vakira Y. Chapman, Elijah D. Cole, Chase E. Copeland, Camille E. Cullipher, Trent R. Davis, Shomya J. Futrell, Nayeli Ayala Garcia, April L. Gaskins, Cameron G. Gatling, TaLeia G. Gatling, Andrew D. Howard, Greta A. Lassiter, Savannah A. Meehan, Jaxson C. Minton, Javier Pagola Osorio, Christopher Perreault, Carly M. Piland, Rebecca Y. Ruffin, Alexis Vann, Amyah J. Vinson, Jarmarcus J. White, Miracle M. Wilder and Keith T. Wynn.

Dean’s List for Fall 2024 included Matthew E. Atkins, Brayden W. Baggett, Ka’Liyah A. Barnes, Blake P. Bolton, James X. Boone, Donovan R. Bowers, Ashley E. Casey, Christopher A. Corey, Amiya K. Eure, Gilbert M. Farrow, Amanda W. Flythe, Jewel L. Hall, Haven C. Hoggard, Matreta J. Holloman, Aliza F. Jernigan, Ashley L. Jernigan, Amari J. Johnson, Anna M. Jones, Dynasia T. Lassiter, Taylor F. Legg, Allie C. Leggette, Ashley M. Lewis, Randiece S. McPherson, Amyra D. Mitchell, Tamron K. Mitchell, Corneilus O. Moore, Logan E. Myers, Kendall J. Myrick, Saniaa A. Norman, Isela I. Olguin, LaManni M. Parker, David B. Paul, Katie W. Perry, Zyquana T. Privott, Preston W. Rogers, Nayana R. Sessoms, Janeshia E. Taylor, Wynter N. Taylor, Cameron F. Wallace, Jacqueline J. Walton and Jalin A. Williams.

In Associate Degree Nursing (RN), the Level I Nightingale Award was presented to Kahli Baker and Bre’Aira Sutton, and the Level II Nightingale Award went to Dynasia Lassiter and Cameron Wallace.

Academic Excellence in Biology awards for General Biology II were presented to Alexis Vann, Amyah Vinson and Jalin Williams, with Anatomy & Physiology II honors going to Brianna Small and Kashana Vaughan.

Academic Excellence in Business honors went to Trent Davis, Alexis Vann, Morgan Vann and Jalin Williams. 

Academic Excellence in Cosmetology Level 1 awards were presented including Strength of Humility to Carly Piland, Resilience to Nayeli Garcia, Dedication and Hard work to Kadence Joyner, Going the Extra Mile to Anaysha Greene and Most Improved to Karmyn Burden. Cosmetology Level II awards were presented including Shining Star to Janvelle Sutton, Helping Above and Beyond to Isela Olguin, Extra Mile Award to Alma Sanchez Barron and R-CCC Beauty Award to Chantel Askew.

The Criminal Justice honors went to Ka’Liyah Barnes and Greta Lassiter.

Academic Excellence in Early Childhood Education awards were presented to Amy Harrell, Helen Hinson, Michele Mathias and Annette Thompson.

The English Martin-Mitchell Expository Writing Award was presented to Christian Mabine.

Academic Excellence in Human Services Technology awards were presented. Academic Excellence Award (3.5 or higher GPA) honors went to Arnasia S. Harrell, Deborah Holloman, Tamara Mitchell-Medford and Jacqueline Walton. The Enthusiastic Award was presented to Deborah Holloman and the Achievement Award went to Rebecca Ruffin.

Academic Excellence in Information Technology honors went to Steven Duncan and John Powell.

The Academic Excellence in Mathematics award went to Candace Alfaro, Amiya Eure and Emma Storey. 

The Academic Excellence in Mechatronics Technology award went to Elijah Cole (Most Achieved Deans List), Chase Copeland (Highest GPA) and Preston Rogers (Outstanding Performance).

Continuing Education also presented awards. The Student of the Year was presented to Jammie Wiggins. The Shining Star honors went to Cebastien Forestal with the Most Improved Award going to Blannie Ward. The Perfect Attendance Award was presented to Kaylee Ingram. Randy Smallwood received the Invaluable Team Player Award and Curtis Stewart received the Mr. Manners Award. 

Students who receive President’s List recognition are enrolled full-time, all coursework is 100 level or higher with a 4.0 GPA and an “A” in all coursework. To be recognized on the Dean’s List, students must be enrolled full-time with all coursework at 100 level or higher, earning a 3.25 GPA or higher with no grades less than a “B”. For Academic Excellence Awards, the criteria and award recipients are determined by each department. 

 

 

 

Roanoke-Chowan Community College’s Mission

Roanoke-Chowan Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System and located in Hertford County, is a public, two-year institution of higher education offering associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, college and career readiness, and customized business and industry training in a variety of delivery modes promoting public service, transfer, and workforce development for a diverse student body, leading them to contribute to the vitality of an increasingly global community. www.roanokechowan.edu #DiscoverRCCC “Where community and careers connect”

Media Contact: Melanie Temple, Director of Marketing & Recruitment/PIO, metemple7181@roanokechowan.edu, 252-862-1243