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College of The Albemarle (COA) has announced the student award recipients for 2024-2025. Academic and state awards were presented during a reception in April.

North Carolina Community College System’s Academic Excellence Award 

The North Carolina Community College System Academic Excellence Award recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievements and excellence. This award acknowledges students’ hard work, dedication, and exceptional performance in their academic pursuits.

The award is often given to students who have achieved the highest GPA in their respective programs of study or who have exhibited exceptional academic performance in their coursework. It recognizes their commitment to academic excellence and ability to excel in their chosen field of study.

Robert Wernock was the College of The Albemarle recipient of the 2025 NCCCS Academic Excellence Award.

Dallas Herring Achievement Award Nominee

The Dallas Herring Achievement Award is an honor bestowed upon North Carolina Community College System students. Named after Dallas Herring, a pioneer in the community college movement, this award recognizes exceptional academic achievement and personal growth by individuals who have benefited from the community college education.

The Dallas Herring Achievement Award is given annually to a student who has demonstrated significant progress in academic pursuits, overcome obstacles, and exhibited outstanding leadership qualities. Recipients are typically selected based on nominations from faculty and staff from the community college system.

Samantha Dick was the College of The Albemarle award recipient and state nominee for the 2025 Dallas Herring Achievement Award.

Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award Nominee

The Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award is an honor bestowed upon outstanding student leaders in North Carolina, United States. Named after Robert W. Scott, who served as the Governor of North Carolina from 1969 to 1973, this award recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and made significant contributions to their school, community and beyond.

The award aims to acknowledge and encourage student leadership by highlighting young leaders’ achievements and positive impact. It recognizes various aspects of leadership, including but not limited to academic excellence, community service, extracurricular involvement, and the ability to inspire and motivate others.

Shackeria Johnson was the College of The Albemarle Award recipient for 2025.

Scholar of Global Distinction Award

College of The Albemarle is a member institution of the North Carolina Scholar of Global Distinction Program (NCSGDP). The NCSGDP is an academic recognition program for students in the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) who demonstrate exceptional knowledge and understanding of global issues and cultures. This program prepares students to be globally competent and engaged citizens in an increasingly interconnected world.

NCSGDP participants who successfully complete the program receive “Graduated with Global Distinction” on their transcripts, an honors graduation stole, and a joint certificate from COA and World View at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, recognizing this accomplishment. College of The Albemarle’s criteria for award consideration includes completing at least 15 credit hours of globally intensive courses; participating in eight international activities and dialogue; global experience (30 hours of participation in either study abroad or a domestic intercultural experience); giving a capstone presentation related to their global learning participation.

Jessica White was the recipient of the 2024-2025 COA Scholar of Global Distinction Award.

COA Campus Cup Awards

Campus cup awards are presented each year to individuals who have accomplished one or more of the following requirements: significant contributions of service to the college, exhibited leadership skills in or outside of the classroom, exhibited exemplary service to the community, exhibited outstanding commitment to their chosen profession, and demonstrated academic excellence. The recipients of the campus cups are considered for the President’s Cup.

COA Campus Cup recipients for 2024-2025 were:

Samantha Dick, COA – Currituck

Robert Wernock, COA – Dare

Andrew Heath, COA – Elizabeth City 

Academic Awards – Division of Health Sciences and Wellness

Awards were presented to students who were enrolled and in good standing in a Health Sciences program or have successfully completed the program within the current academic year and meet the following criteria: successfully completed at least 6 hours of coursework at 100-level or higher each semester while enrolled in the program, received a grade of “A” or “B” in the core curriculum courses, other required courses in the  Health Sciences Program, and any other courses during each semester while enrolled in the program and was “satisfactory” in all clinical evaluations. The student’s cumulative COA GPA must have been maintained at 3.70 or higher each semester while enrolled in the program.

Award recipients for 2024-2025 were:

Associate Degree Nursing – Shelby Ayers

Associate Degree Nursing – Lia Newbern

Associate Degree Nursing – Maria Ortega

Associate Degree Nursing – Fiona Rewis

Associate Degree Nursing – Angelica Roldan

Associate Degree Nursing – Cassandra Simons

Associate Degree Nursing – Aubrey Sopher

Associate in General Education, Nursing – Kaylie Kidwell

Emergency Medical Sciences – Ian Dudek

Health Fitness Science – Hristina Trajkoska

Medical Laboratory Technology – Heather Todd

Social and Human Services – Autumn Price

Surgical Technology – Baylee Morton

Academic Awards – Division of Arts and Sciences

Awards were presented to students with the highest GPA in their respective degree or diploma program. Recipients must have applied for graduation in the current academic year and completed a minimum of 40 credit hours at COA.

Award recipients for 2024-2025 were:

Associate in Arts – Kylee Dinterman

Associate in Arts – Kirra Ensenat

Associate in Arts – Taylor Honza

Associate in Arts – Chloe Hudson

Associate in Arts – Matthew Johnson

Associate in Arts – Aimee Marsh

Associate in Arts – Kisstina Parker

Associate in Arts – Megan Spafford

Associate in Arts – Anceli Torres

Associate in Arts – Wyatt Whitfield

Associate in Arts in Teacher Prep – Emily Blair

Associate in Fine Arts, Visual Arts – Isabella Sanford

Associate in General Education – Alice Turney

Associate in Science – Logan Kronbauer

Associate in Science – Adrien Smith

Associate in Science – Kaylee Steuber

Associate in Engineering – Samantha Dick

The COA Awards in Academic Foundations were presented to the students enrolled, in good standing, in an Academic Foundations English and/or Math course or who have successfully completed the course(s) within the current academic year and achieved the highest numerical grade and/or reached the highest tier achievement in an Academic Foundations English and/or Math course.

Award recipients for 2024-2025 were:

Academic Foundations – Sheneka Whidbee

Academic Foundations – Jessicah Woodell

Academic Awards – Division of Business, Industry and Applied Technologies

Awards were presented to students with the highest GPA in their respective degree programs. Students who were enrolled and in good standing or successfully completed the program within the current academic year and meet the following criteria: Must have successfully completed 18 hours of 100-level or higher coursework and the GPA must be a 3.6 or higher.

Award recipients for 2024-2025 were:

Aviation – Russ Pugh

Aviation – Sean Harrigan

Aviation – Erick Schultz

Computer-Integrated Machining – Christian Dart

General Business Administration – Enrique Pichardo

Global Business Management – Jonathan Liles

HVAC – Collins Jarvis

IT: Computer Programming – Michael Bright

IT: Systems Administration & Support – Keegan Futrrell

Welding Technology – Colby Walke

Academic Awards – Division of Workforce Development, Public Services and Career Readiness

Awards were presented to students with the highest GPA in their respective degree programs. Students must also have successfully completed 18 hours of 100-level or higher coursework, have a GPA of 3.6 or higher, and be in good standing or have successfully completed the program within the current academic year.

Award recipients for 2024-2025 were:

Agribusiness Technology – Kelsey Graham

Basic Law Enforcement – Zechariah Dobson

Basic Law Enforcement – Zachary Smirlock

Basic Law Enforcement – Steven Mann

Basic Law Enforcement – Reid Robeson

Basic Law Enforcement – Kayla Hunter

Basic Law Enforcement – Johnmichael Hammer

Basic Law Enforcement – John Luciano

Basic Law Enforcement – Francisco Cardenas

Basic Law Enforcement – Dustin Hanna

Basic Law Enforcement – Brandyn Snyder

Basic Law Enforcement – Benjamin Elko

Basic Law Enforcement – Austin Jones

Criminal Justice Technology – Janet Quillin

Early Childhood Education – Danielle Hahn

Cosmetology – Juliana Clark

Cosmetology – Jaquisha Kee

Cosmetology – Autumn Cartwright

Culinary Arts – Jade Holland

Culinary Arts – Gavin Rush 

Academic Award – College and Career Readiness

The COA Academic Award in College and Career Readiness was presented to the student who has exhibited academic excellence, attendance, perseverance and responsible leadership in class.

The award recipient for 2024-2025 was:

Scott Hassell

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