College of The Albemarle (COA) is pleased to announce the student award recipients for 2023-2024. Academic excellence and state awards were presented during a reception in May. The President’s Service Cup was presented during graduation on May 8, 2024, at COA – Elizabeth City.
President’s Service Cup and Campus Cup Awards
The President’s Service Cup is COA’s most prestigious recognition for graduating students. It recognizes excellence in the classroom and significant service contributions to the college, activities, and local community.
Damaris Ambrosio-Reyes was awarded the President’s Service Cup for 2024. She has been actively involved in the Executive Board of COA’s Student Government Association, serving as president and vice president over the past two years. She attends church in her local Chowan community and volunteers, helping members of the Hispanic community who have questions about attending college. Damaris plans to pursue a career in law and is considering attending UNC-Chapel Hill.
The recipients of COA’s Campus Cups were the President’s Service Cup Award nominees. The COA Campus Cup recipients included Austin Thompson, COA – Currituck; Gazelle Enciso-Ramirez, COA – Dare; Damaris Ambrosio-Reyes, COA – Edenton-Chowan; and Sevil Gulmammadova, COA – Elizabeth City.
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.
Congratulations to Catherine Willis, College of The Albemarle recipient of the 2024 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.
Congratulations to Michael D. Lewis, College of The Albemarle award recipient and state nominee for the 2024 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.
Congratulations to Bozhidar Olegov Paraskevov, College of The Albemarle Award recipient for 2024.
Scholar of Global Distinction Award
College of The Albemarle is proud to be 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.
Congratulations to the 2023-2024 COA Scholar of Global Distinction Award recipients: Crystal David, Fall 2023; Damaris Ambrosio-Reyes, Spring 2024; and Erin Kelley, Spring 2024.
Academic Excellence 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.
Congratulations to the award recipients for 2024:
Associate Degree Nursing Savanna Brigman
Associate Degree Nursing Rebecca Dileo
Associate in General Education – Nursing Alana Martin
Human Services Technology Haley Still
Human Services Technology Litzy Velazquez Tovar
Medical Assisting Kaileigh Nixon
Medical Laboratory Technology Catherine Willis
Medical Laboratory Technology Amanda Gauthier
Medical Laboratory Technology Andrea Forbes
Practical Nursing Denice Cole
Practical Nursing Krystal Poyner
Surgical Technology Kennedy Lykins
Surgical Technology April McPherson
Academic Excellence 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 for the 2023-2024 academic year and completed a minimum of 40 credit hours at COA.
Congratulations to the award recipients for 2023-2024:
Associate in Arts Megan Armstrong
Associate in Arts Lillianna Bowdoin
Associate in Arts Anna Huey
Associate in Arts Kellen Morris
Associate in Arts Riley Parker
Associate in Arts Holly Riddick
Associate in Arts Ashleigh Russell
Associate in Arts Hailey Scott
Associate in Arts Breanne Shepherd
Associate in Arts McKenzie Short
Associate in Arts Trent Spear
Associate in Arts Mary Stroud
Associate in Arts Grace Vernesoni
Associate in Arts Robert Volpe
Associate in Arts in Teacher Prep Leanna Buchanan
Associate in Fine Arts – Visual Arts Sevil Gulmammadova
Associate in Fine Arts – Theatre Manuela Castano Castillo
Associate in General EducationErika Cardenas Suarez
Associate in Science Dawson Brickhouse
Associate in Science Angelyna Brooks
Associate in Science Kayla Deplacido
Associate in Science Kayla Heath
Associate in Science Kellen Morris
Associate in Science Sammy Shawgo
Associate in Engineering Kayla Heath
Associate in Engineering Aaron Spivey
The COA Academic Excellence Award in Academic Foundations was presented to the student enrolled, in good standing, in an Academic Foundations English and/or Math course or who has 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.
Academic FoundationsStacy White
Academic Excellence 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.
Congratulations to the award recipients for 2023-2024:
Aviation Mathesis Epithet
Aviation Joshua Morway
AviationRuss Pugh
Computer-Aided DraftingNatalie Augur
Computer-Integrated Machining Parker Beale
General Business AdministrationRobert Wemock
Global Business ManagementMaricela Aguirre
HVAC Colby Sawyer
IT: Computer Programming Corey Jordan
IT: Computer Programming Dylan Johnson
IT: Computer Programming Martha Remme
IT: Computer Programming Jazmyne Tripp
IT: Systems Administration & Support Katelyn Kelly
Medical Office Administration Shannon Peternel
Welding Technology Noah Blalock
Welding Technology John Knight
Welding Technology Evalyn Meares
Welding Technology Brent Melton
Welding Technology Seth Turner
Academic Excellence 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.
Congratulations to the award recipients for 2023-2024:
Agribusiness Technology Marjorie Fonseca
Basic Law Enforcement Forest Creech
Basic Law Enforcement Kelly McDonald
Basic Law Enforcement Antonio Rippons, III
Criminal Justice Technology Virginia Sumner
Early Childhood Education Jamie Boggio
Cosmetology Brandy Capaz
Cosmetology Juliana Clark
Cosmetology McKayla Gordon
Cosmetology Allison Mueller
Culinary Arts Helena Tocco-Ross
