April 9, 2026

R-CCC Honors Student Achievement at Annual Honors Convocation

 

                                                                       

AHOSKIE, NC–– Roanoke‑Chowan Community College (R‑CCC) held its annual Honors Convocation on April 2, recognizing outstanding student achievement across a wide range of academic disciplines. The event celebrated students who earned placement on the President’s List and Dean’s List for the Spring and Fall 2025 semesters, as well as recipients of Academic Excellence Departmental Awards and prestigious Presidential Awards.
 
The convocation featured a keynote address by Dr. Keedra Whitaker, an R-CCC trustee appointed by the Northampton County Board of Commissioners. Whitaker, an accomplished educational leader, serves as Chief Human Resources Officer for Warren County Schools and holds a doctorate in educational leadership. Her career spans classroom teaching, school administration, district‑level leadership and public service.
 
Whitaker delivered an inspiring message focused on perseverance, integrity and honoring one’s journey.
 
“Each of you is here today because you refused to give up,” Whitaker said. “You stayed committed when it was hard, and that perseverance is what brought you to this moment of honor.”
 
Reflecting on the challenges students overcame to achieve academic excellence, Whitaker emphasized that true success is built through resilience.
 
“Honor is not just a title placed upon you; it is the integrity you maintain when times are difficult,” she said. “What you earn in the dark is revealed in moments like this.”
 
R‑CCC Dean of Student Affairs Danielle Ruffin also addressed the honorees, underscoring the collaborative effort behind student success.
 
“This annual Honors Convocation is one of our most treasured traditions, as it allows us to celebrate not only our students’ achievements, but also the families, faculty, staff and community members who support them,” Ruffin said.
 
Among the event’s highlights was the presentation of the NC Community College Academic Excellence Award to Bryson Andrews. The college also recognized Brandy Eley as R‑CCC’s nominee for the Governor Bob Scott Leadership Award and honored Marcus Creecy‑Toliver as R‑CCC’s nominee for the Dallas Herring Achievement Award.
 
R‑CCC President Dr. Murray J. Williams praised the students for their dedication to excellence and personal growth.
 
“This convocation is a testament to the resilience and ambition of our students,” Williams said. “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.”
 
The event also recognized students for outstanding performance within their academic programs, with honors awarded in disciplines ranging from Nursing and Early Childhood Education to Cosmetology and Information Technology.
 
 
Honor Roll Recipients
 
Presidents’ List for Spring 2025 included Chantel M. Askew, Matthew E. Atkins, Nicholas Blalock, Donovan R. Bowers, Ashley N. Boyd, Dedria L. Burke, Quinisha L. Carmon, Vakira Y. Chapman, Chase E. Copeland, Steven T. Duncan, Amiya K. Eure, Nayelli Ayala Garcia, April L. Gaskins, TaLeia G. Gatling, Deajah Gay, Angelina Lassiter, Christopher C. Lee, Savannah A. Meehan, Isela I. Olguin, Jessica Pagola, Davis B. Paul, Christopher Perreault, Carly M. Piland, Darlyn R. Robertson, Rebecca Y. Ruffin, Alma K. Sanchez Barron, Darrien N. Sanders, Sydney M. Smith, Ariel J. Solomon, Kimora R. Staton, Morgan P. Vann, Caniyah N. Vann-Melton, Amyah J. Vinson, Annabelle L. Wadsworth, Jarmarcus J. White, Miracle M. Wilder and Jalin A. Williams.
 
Dean’s List for Spring 2025 included Karae A. Alfred, Bryson G. Andrews, Reagan D. Askew, Ka’Liyah A. Barnes, Lindsay R. Borodin, Ashley E. Casey, Elijah D. Cole, Christopher A. Corey, Sharon L. Fleming, Tomika A. Grant, Zykiatra D. Green, Michael C. Harris, Christopher H. Hatcher, Matreta J. Holloman, Jazmine I. Jenkins, Johnathan A. Jenkins, Aliza F. Jernigan, Amari J. Johnson, Anaston Lassiter, Brittany N. Lassiter, Landon P. Lassiter, Jazmine K. Lathan, Zaneka K. Lee, Jameilya E. Lewis, Brenda Loaiza Munoz, Randiece S. McPherson, Javy A. Melendez, Ennis O. Mitchell, Calvin R. Moore, Jr., Kendall J. Myrick, Ditangular M. Parker, Kanyshia Y. Parker, Preston W. Rogers, Barry L. Ruffin, Cali J. Ruffin, Tabatha L. Saunders, Cequana M. Taylor, Janeshia E. Taylor, Annette W. Thompson, Meghan Vick, Tymeshia L. Vinson, Deasiahonor K. Watford, Kellan M. Whitby and Justice B. Zoch.
 
President’s List for Fall 2025 included Kanyia T. Andrews, Ashley F. Barete, Dennis E. Barnes, Nicholas Blalock, Tamila Campbell, Vakira Y. Chapman, Brandi L. Deanes, Ryan J. Dunham, Ashiya N. Everett, Heather R. Fleet, Nicholas T. Freeman, Kaitlynn Godwin, Jae’marien T. Harrell, Deborah J. Holloman, Jenny R. Jenkins, Hailey K. Joyner, Kadence M. Joyner, Anaston Lassiter, Caroline E. Lassiter, Ashley M. Lewis, Eli O. Mitchell, Jessica Pagola, Carly M. Piland, Meghan C. Powell, Keyonie T. Rankins, Victor Scales, Courtney E. Sexton, Cheyenne P. Smith, Kimora R. Staton, Kimberly A. Terry, Caniyah N. Vann-Melton and Ayden C. Wilson.
 
Dean’s List for Fall 2025 included Chantel M. Askew, Reagan D. Askew, MacKenzie M. Baker, William C. Banks, Lindsey B. Bazemore, Toni A. Belch, Jordyn G. Bracy, Dynecia A. Cole, Jacob R. Earley, Jabriya S. Fleetwood, Sharon L. Fleming, Nerissa Y. Futrell, Jahnia L. Grant, Tomika A. Grant, Caleb R. Harrell, Christopher H. Hatcher, Torsha D. Hicks, Lawrence E. Hoes, Andrew D. Howard, Haleigh R. Jefferson, Nisachon Jitson, Jaden J. Johnson, Angelina Lassiter, Brittany N. Lassiter, Zaneka K. Lee, Taylor G. Legg, Dallas R. Long, Kelli B. Mendoza, Meredith M. Mize, Bridgette C. Morris, Angela N. Myrick, Lorie K. Nelson, Rucker L. Nixon III, David B. Paul, Hannah L. Pippins, Brittney M. Ray, Demario D. Reid, Justin B. Resendiz, Darrien N. Sanders, Alannah L. Story, Janeshia E. Taylor, Keviona N. Taylor, Landon J. Thompson, Israel Z. Turman, Brier H. Vann, Morgan P. Vann, Meghan R. Vick, Patricia D. Vinson, Ciara M. White, Jaliyah S. Wrenn and Justice B. Zoch.
 
Academic Excellence Departmental Awards
 
In Associate Degree Nursing (RN), the Bedside Compassion Award was presented to Torsha Hicks, Nisachon Jitson and Meghan Vick. The Emerging Nurse Leader Award went to Kahli Baker and Meredith Mize. The Highest Grade Average went to Lindsey Bazemore and Sheena Labordo. The Nightingale Award was presented to Reagan Askew, Lauren Brown, Deandra Grayson and Hannah Pippins. The Student of the Semester Award went to Bridgette Morris. The Student of the Year Award went to Treneika Futrell and Taylor Grace Legg.
 
General Biology II awards were presented to Caroline Lassiter and Dallas Long.
 
In Cosmetology, the Golden Touch Award was presented to Tamila Campbell, with the Beauty Basic Award going to Alantis Eure. Sa’Najah Futrell took home the Creative Hands Award and Passion for Beauty went to Shaniaiya Jacobs. The Fresh Talent Award was presented to Tristen Morris, with Jahziyah Perry receiving Most Improved. Megan Powell received the Future Trend Setter Award, and Keyonie Rankins was presented Top Tier Talent. Precision Excellence went to Cheyenne Smith, and Rising Star went to Alannah Story and Ma’Kayla Taylor. Lakirah Beale, Aniyah Brown and Aysia Carter received Academic Participation. Outstanding Achievement was presented to Carly Piland, and the Artistry in Beauty Award went to Kadence Joyner. Nayeli Garcia took home Outstanding Artistry Award, and Isela Olguin was presented the Innovative Artist Award. The Glow Getter Award went to Paige Lewis, and Anayshia Greene took home the Academic Excellence Award.
 
Academic Excellence in Early Childhood Education awards were presented to Brandy Eley, Michele Mathias, Angela Myrick, Lori Nelson, Aniyah Powell and Ida Tyler.
 
The English Martin-Mitchell Expository Writing Award was presented to Liam Rowe.
 
Academic Excellence in Human Services Technology awards (3.5 or higher GPA) were presented to Deborah Holloman and Rebecca Ruffin.
 
Academic Excellence in Information Technology honors went to Christopher Corey and Kimora Staton.
 
The Academic Excellence in Mathematics award (highest average) went to Zion Brooks and Annabelle Wadsworth.
 
The Academic Excellence in Medical Office Administration (highest GPA) went to Vakira Chapman.
 
The Library Services Volunteer Award was presented to Angel Romero, and Savannah Meehan and Tyler Gordon took home the Library Services Award of Excellence.
 
The Student Ambassadors Award was presented to Marcus Creecy-Toliver, Brandy Eley, Treneika Futrell, Tyler Gordon and Makalia Holley.
 
College and Career Readiness also presented awards. The Rise & Thrive Award was presented to Elisha Watson. The Comeback Champion Award went to Jarrett Boone with the Scholar on the Rise Award going to Blannie Ward. The Persistence Pays Off Award was presented to Nathanael Stewart-Ingalls. Jammie Wiggins received the Above & Beyond Award, and Braxton Whitley received the Dedication & Drive 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. 
 Among the event’s highlights was the presentation of the NC Community College Academic Excellence Award to Bryson Andrews. Pictured with Andrews is R-CCC President Dr. Murray J. Williams.


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