July 1, 2026

R-CCC Celebrates Third and Final Child Care Academy Graduates   
 

                                                                   

AHOSKIE, NC –  Roanoke‑Chowan Community College (R‑CCC) celebrated the graduates of its third and final Child Care Academy cohort on Friday, June 26, recognizing a group of dedicated educators prepared to make a lasting impact in early childhood education. 

 Held on the R‑CCC campus, the certificate ceremony marked the culmination of a grant-funded initiative designed to prepare individuals for careers in child care and early childhood education. College leadership, instructors, graduates and their families gathered to honor the accomplishments of the program’s final cohort. 

 Charmaine Smith, Dean of Academic Affairs, opened the ceremony by emphasizing the significance of the moment for both the college and the community. 

 “This is a major day for our institution as we celebrate our final Child Care Academy supported through this grant,” Smith said. “Today we celebrate more than the completion of a program. We celebrate educators who understand that play is powerful, learning is transformative and wonder is the spark that shapes the future.”  

 The Child Care Academy provided participants with an intensive, four-week training experience that combined more than 40 hours of instruction, over 15 industry-recognized certifications, and coursework equivalent to an accelerated version of the 16-week class EDU 3119. Graduates completed training that prepares them to enter or advance in the early childhood workforce as teacher assistants or lead teachers in child care facilities.  

 The academy was created in partnership with the N.C. Division of Child Development and Early Education to equip students with industry‑recognized credentials and the essential training required for employment in child care facilities. Graduates also built professional résumés, strengthened workplace skills and produced a career portfolio to share with prospective employers. 

 Throughout the ceremony, graduates reflected on the personal and professional growth they experienced during the program. Many shared how the academy strengthened their confidence, introduced new career opportunities, and deepened their passion for working with children and families. 

 “Because of the academy, I gained confidence in my ability to work with young children and support their learning and development,” one graduate shared. Others highlighted earning certifications, learning safety practices and developing a stronger understanding of child development and classroom techniques. 

 Instructor and program coordinator Marquita Moore-Raynor praised the cohort for their dedication and highlighted the broader impact of the academy. 

 “This program was never just about completing certificates,” Moore-Raynor said. “It was about preparing passionate individuals to create environments where play inspires learning, learning sparks wonder and wonder shapes the future.”  

 Moore-Raynor noted that the academy helped participants achieve significant milestones, including stepping onto a college campus for the first time, navigating online learning platforms and transitioning into new or advanced roles within the early childhood field.  

 “As both your instructor and mentor, I’ve had the privilege of watching each of you grow in knowledge, confidence and purpose,” she said. “Some of you are beginning new careers, others are advancing, but all of you are taking meaningful steps toward your future.”  

 During the ceremony, graduates were recognized individually as they received certificates of completion. Each certificate symbolized not only academic achievement but also resilience, growth and readiness to serve children and families in the community. The graduates of R‑CCC’s third Child Care Academy cohort are: 
 

• Leslie Avent 

 

• Natasha Baker 

 

• Keyonna Bass 

 

• Najiona Hall 

 

• Ivory Jordan 

 

• Daniel Smith 

 

• Imani Sutton 

 

• Tynasia Vinson 

 

• Deasia White 

 
As part of the ceremony, participants also received commemorative materials and teaching tools, symbolizing their continued journey in education. Moore-Raynor encouraged graduates to view these items as reminders of their purpose and impact. 

 “The learning does not end here,” she said. “Every story you read, every game you play and every moment of encouragement helps shape a child’s future. The children you teach today will carry your influence for a lifetime.”  

 With the conclusion of the third cohort, R‑CCC’s Child Care Academy has successfully equipped multiple groups of aspiring educators with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to support the region’s early childhood education workforce. 

 Smith closed the ceremony by celebrating the graduates’ readiness to make a difference. 

 “You are now equipped to step into classrooms and create nurturing, supportive environments where children can learn and grow,” she said. “We are proud of each of you and the impact you will have in our communities.” 

 R‑CCC President Dr. Murray J. Williams also commended the graduates for their achievement and their commitment to serving the region’s children and families. 

 “We are incredibly proud of each graduate of the Child Care Academy,” Williams said. “Your dedication to early childhood education strengthens not only your own future, but also the future of the communities we serve. The work you are preparing to do is vital, and your impact will be felt for generations to come.” 

 The R-CCC Child Care Academy was funded through a grant from the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE), utilizing funds from the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5). It was designed to respond to community workforce needs while opening doors for individuals beginning careers in early childhood care.

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