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Before Yassmine Moujahid even graduated high school, she had already earned a college degree, thanks to the Harper Middle College program at Central Piedmont in partnership with Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools—a place she says helped her find her community, her passion, and her purpose.  

Yassmine chose to attend Central Piedmont's Middle College program for the opportunity to earn college credits while still in high school. She enrolled in the biological sciences pathway to complete general education requirements and build a strong foundation for the future career of her dreams: dentistry.  

Now, with a degree and essential knowledge in hand, Yassmine is one step closer to making that dream a reality.

“Central Piedmont has empowered me to take control of my future by helping me plan my academic and career path more effectively,” Yassmine shared. “It has also taught me valuable responsibility, which I appreciate as it prepares me for the next steps in my education and career.”

At Central Piedmont, Yassmine found more than just academic support. She formed lasting friendships, built community, and forged strong connections with teachers—all while balancing high school and college courses, two jobs, and ongoing community service. Thanks to the flexibility of her class scheduling, she was able to design her school days around designated study and work times.   

That flexibility and community also made space for her to give back. A member of the Salvation Army's Boys and Girls Club since kindergarten, Yassmine has long been involved in community service. During her senior year, she launched a Valentine’s Day card project within her community to uplift local youth. She set up stands at school and, with help from her classmates, delivered cards to children in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community.  

“I loved it because it showed how the community can come together out of the goodness of their hearts,” Yassmine reflected. “It’s just an amazing feeling.” 

Future Plans

Her desire to uplift others fuels her passion for dentistry, too. With a biological sciences degree from Central Piedmont already complete, Yassmine now plans to study business at Queens before heading to UNC Chapel Hill for dental school. Her ultimate goal? To open her own practice and make dental care more accessible. 

“Growing up, my family, we weren’t the most fortunate,” Yassmine shared. “Whenever they had some type of pain, especially dental, they wouldn’t go. That was very heartbreaking to see.” 

Her goal is to make a difference for others who may face similar barriers to receiving care. 

“Giving that opportunity to help someone smile or just boost up their confidence through their smile—I think that’s an amazing gift. I would love to have that,” she said.  

From supporting her community to working hard toward her own goals, Yassmine is forging a path to a bright future. And thanks to the foundation she built at Central Piedmont, she’s stepping into her next chapter with clarity, confidence, and determination. 

As a high school student dual-enrolled at Central Piedmont, Nhi Hau was already taking big steps toward a future in medicine. This spring, she graduated with two diplomas and two degrees, ready to head to UNC Chapel Hill in the fall on a full academic scholarship.

But Nhi’s journey to a career in medicine began long before college. 

Born in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and raised in Charlotte, she grew up as the only English speaker in her family. She helped her parents during doctor’s visits, translated in emergency rooms, and became a voice for her parents in medical settings. She learned medical terms by listening and became curious about the signs and symptoms of different illnesses.

“It was because of my mom's miscarriage back when I was six, when I had to turn to her and tell her that she had lost the child that we had been waiting for a couple months,” Nhi reflected. “Then I realized that I really enjoyed being with someone during their most vulnerable times."

These early experiences, in addition to her family’s challenges, made her want to continue to help others through difficult moments. Her desire to help others grew stronger over time, and she took on more responsibilities to accomplish her goals. In addition to her busy schedule taking both high school and college classes, Nhi also took online courses at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. Balancing three schools was no small task, but Nhi stayed focused.

Future Plans

Central Piedmont played a big role in her success, with faculty and staff encouraging her every step of the way. Even more so, the challenge of her coursework taught her many things about herself and helped her grow the confidence to blossom.  

“Central Piedmont has really allowed me to step into the world of higher education, both physically and mentally,” she said. “The coursework pushed me to think more critically and taught me life skills that I’m certain will help me succeed at Chapel Hill.” 

Additionally, Nhi was driven by her parents, and made the most of being a first-generation college student.  

“Being a first-generation college student to me means being able to do the things that my parents couldn't," Nhi said. “I know it's partially my dream, but it’s also my parents' dream, and it's very nice being able to let them live vicariously through me and live this dream out for myself as well.” 

In the face of many challenges, Nhi somehow managed to balance it all. In addition to attending three schools, she stayed active in clubs, spent time with her friends and family, and never lost sight of her goals. 

“The opportunities here are endless, and the faculty and professors are incredibly supportive in helping you find a path that’s right for you,” she said. “But it all has to start with your desire to make the most of your time at Central Piedmont.” 

Now, her hard work is paying off. From a young age Nhi discovered her passion, and Central Piedmont helped pave the way for her to follow those dreams.  

Learn More about Nhi's Experience

Jae Taylor is an emergency medical sciences student with a passion for helping others and uplifting communities through paramedicine. Originally from Boston, Jae moved to Charlotte to be with family and pursue an education at Central Piedmont.  

When choosing a school to begin their journey in emergency medicine, Jae took time to carefully research their options. With family already in Charlotte, Jae looked into local colleges and found that Central Piedmont stood out.  

The strong connection between Central Piedmont and Mecklenburg County Emergency Medical Services caught Jae’s attention. Jae admired the agency’s reputation and the doors it opens for students. After seeing the program’s great outcomes for public safety graduates, Jae knew Central Piedmont was the right place to take the next step. 

“I noticed [Mecklenburg County] Medic has opened its doors to help support and teach students at Central Piedmont, which results in a good relationship between those who are still learning and those who are working in the profession,” Jae said. “Everybody comes together to help serve the community.” 

While earning their degree, Jae received the Merancas Technical Career Scholarship, which supports students in hands-on fields that lead directly to the work force. Beyond the classroom, Jae applies their training through clinicals and ride-alongs with Mecklenburg County first responders. These real-world experiences teach Jae how to support people during some of their hardest moments. 

One instructor, John Cooper, made a lasting impact on Jae’s journey. His experience in emergency medical science helped Jae build valuable skills and grow confident in their career path. His open and welcoming teaching style continues to inspire Jae.  

“I’m in a program where there are very experienced professors and instructors that I feel confident will help me grow the most in my career path,” Jae said.  

Future Plans

Jae is on track to graduate in December 2026 and plans to start serving the community right away. With a goal to work in community paramedicine, Jae hopes to help people who struggle to access quality healthcare. Jae believes diversity in the first responder field is essential. Representation can help address the unique healthcare needs of different communities. 

“I would love to have a lifelong career of helping people on their worst days,” Jae said. “It’s very important for the community to feel supported and have first responders to address their needs, and I hope to have a career where I can impact the community in that way.”  

In the future, Jae hopes to return home to Boston and give back to the community that raised them. Whether in Charlotte or Boston, Jae’s mission stays the same: make medicine more accessible to everyone, no matter the challenges they face. With determination and heart, Jae is on a path to make a real difference—and Central Piedmont is just the beginning.  

Learn More about Jae's Experience

Chloe Mbongo never expected her biggest college lesson would be learning to give herself grace. A straight-A student in high school, she entered Central Piedmont in 2021 confident and ready to excel. But things didn’t go as planned— her courseload felt overwhelming, and she struggled to meet the high expectations she set for herself.  

By spring of 2023, Chloe faced a tough realization: she didn't earn enough credits to graduate from Central Piedmont. She then had a choice to make—keep struggling alone or finally ask for help.  

When Chloe finally talked to her friends and family, everything began to change. She saw that what worked for her in high school wasn’t enough in college. She needed to work harder and study differently. With help from her support system, she changed her habits, attitude, and goals.  

“I became no longer interested in just passing but truly learning what was presented in front of me,” Chloe shared. “I came to realize that learning is not a chore, but a privilege.” 

Chloe turned her failed classes into four semesters in a row on the President’s List. When she shared her story, she saw that it could help other students too. She didn’t run from fear—she faced it and emerged stronger than ever. Instead of letting it define her, she used it as motivation to build the future she wanted. 

Future Plans

Chloe graduated with an associate in arts and is now transferring to UNC Charlotte to get her bachelor’s degree in communications. She also wants to earn a master's degree in Christian counseling at Southeastern Seminary. At graduation, she stood on stage and told her story to thousands of people—many who had faced similar struggles like she did—and showed them it’s possible to succeed.

Learn More About Chloe's Story

As Shenise Young stepped up to the podium to deliver her commencement speech, she did so not just as a graduate, but as a living embodiment of resilience. Her journey to the stage defies the traditional college narrative—one marked not by ease or privilege, but instead by detours, doubt, and sheer determination.  

A teenage college student turned working mother, Shenise faced every reason to give up. Yet, with unwavering grit, she transformed setbacks into steppingstones. Her story isn't just about beating the odds—it’s about rewriting the narrative. 

When Shenise first arrived at Central Piedmont, she was 16 and wide-eyed—a new high school graduate and determined to take on the world. She had big dreams and couldn’t wait to chase them. Having skipped a grade earlier in her education, she graduated as one of the youngest in her class. Unlike many of her peers, she immediately enrolled in summer courses, eager to begin her journey toward higher education.  

But her path took a turn once she arrived. The journey ahead began to feel like a mountain she wasn’t sure she could climb. It wasn’t that she lacked capability, she just felt unprepared, and doubt slowly crept in through that open door.  

At the same time, life outside of school grew increasingly difficult. Shenise faced personal challenges and ultimately decided to leave school. She began working full-time and, soon after, learned she was going to be a mother. From that moment on, Shenise’s no. 1 priority became her daughter. She did everything in her power to create a positive environment for her, despite her difficult circumstances.  

Facing New Challenges

The challenges kept coming, but Shenise rose to tackle each one.  

“Despite how life had started to change for me, I still could be kind, I still could smile and be patient...waiting to be told I could be something else,” Shenise reflected. 

She devoted herself to building the foundation of the life she wanted to live, pivoting from a role in healthcare to a new opportunity in finance. Along the way, Shenise discovered a love for accounting. 

Despite finding a new career path, Shenise wasn’t fulfilled. As time went on, she contemplated returning to school. She had tried to return on several occasions, but it always ended in what she perceived as failure. 

“Although I was in love with the idea of college and the life I could have on the other side of it, it simply didn’t love me back,” Shenise explained. “It demanded more and more of me, and more simply was something I did not have—or so I thought.”  

Returning to Central Piedmont wasn’t easy— especially as a mother of two, a wife, and a full-time employee—but she faced her fears and did it anyway. Shenise returned with a 0.827 GPA—a far leap from the required 2.0 to graduate. However, she didn’t shy away from the task ahead. She dug deep and shouldered a workload many would find overwhelming. 

“I kept working, I kept trying, I continued to get back up even though I consistently felt like life was pushing me back down on the ground,” Shenise said.  

She challenged herself more than ever and persevered through it all, earning her spot on stage as commencement speaker. In the two semesters since her return, Shenise balanced 28 credit hours during both the fall and spring semesters, in addition to another nine between December and January—totaling 55 hours in just one year. She also joined the NC Scholars of Global Distinction program, adding more to her already full plate. The result? Her hard work paid off. Shenise walked across the graduation stage with a 2.96 GPA and two degrees: an associate in art and an associate in applied science in accounting and finance. 

Though her journey wasn’t easy, Shenise’s story is a testament to how determination, hope, and compassion for oneself can help through even the toughest of circumstances. It’s never too late to write the rest of your story—because regardless of the journey, the destination matters most. 

“See it through to the end and finish what you started. No matter how long it takes you. Because life is for the living,” Shenise shared. “And as long as we’ve got breath in our bodies, we still have an opportunity.” 

With her sights set on an international accounting degree, Shenise is heading to North Carolina A&T with plans to pursue a career in forensic accounting and teaching community financial literacy. Proudly standing atop the mountain that once seemed too daunting to climb, Shenise leaves Central Piedmont with an unmatchable strength she forged from the trials she overcame.

Learn More about Shenise's Journey

Inspired by a love for art and determined to seize every opportunity that comes her way, upcoming graduate Itala Flores has forged a remarkable path during her time at Central Piedmont. From showcasing her designs in Parr to speaking at academic conferences nationwide, Itala’s impact has reverberated throughout the campus community and across her academic field. 

Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Itala moved to North Carolina in 2004, fulfilling her lifelong dream of moving to the U.S. After marrying, starting a family, and enrolling in English classes at Central Piedmont, her husband’s love for oil painting inspired Itala to pursue her own artistic journey. The couple spent their free time exploring art, sparking her desire to pursue a degree. After attending Central Piedmont 20 years ago, Itala returned to tour the art facilities— and immediately realized she felt at home.  

“I’ve been into art since I was a child. I love to work with clay; I love to work with my hands,” Itala recalled. “When I saw the studios for the first time, there was love there.” 

She dove into learning, experimenting with ceramics, plastic, glass, and construction materials—across various art forms such as fashion design, sculpture, pottery, and more. She even invented her own pottery technique, a method she named “drypott.” Recently, she designed a dress made from promotional materials for the Truist Honors program, which was put on display in the library on Central Campus. She donated the piece to the college, so that it can remain a symbol of success for years to come. 

An Accomplished Artist

In her time at Central Piedmont, Itala stayed busy, making her mark at the school. She hosted her first solo exhibition and fashion show, exhibited her work at the college’s public conference center, placed third in the Student Show, and received a few other awards for purchasing educational materials. Her debut metal sculpture was also selected to be in the 2025 Student Juror Show.  

Itala’s success and involvement stemmed far beyond her artistic achievements. She participated in the Truist Honors program, joined the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and served as both a student ambassador and an ambassador for the Central Piedmont Foundation. She received the Levine Scholarship, the Kappy McClenaghan Scholarship, and the Board of Trustees Endowed Scholarship. She credits much of her success to mentors she met through these programs, like Dr. Deninne Pritchett and Admissions Director Darrien Page, as well as the many scholarships that supported her along the way.  

“The budget has been one of the challenges, but Central Piedmont never let me go down. Always,” she said. “Even at the last minute, Central Piedmont has always helped me with a scholarship, and that was a blessing." 

Outside of Central Piedmont, Itala’s artistic career gained momentum in 2017, when she participated in the Art Pop Street Gallery, followed by an invitation to showcase her sustainable designs at Charlotte Fashion Week. From that moment forward, opportunities poured in – from invitations to both Charleston and Paris Fashion Week to collaborations with Team Topher and Opera Carolina. In 2020, she was named Emerging Artist of the Year by Art Si, and in 2021, she received the Hispanic Pride Award from Progreso Hispano. And that’s only a glimpse of what Itala has accomplished.  

Today, Itala continues to focus on sustainable fashion, and she dreams of opening her own gallery and studio. Her next step is to complete her bachelor’s in fine art— she has been accepted to Winthrop University for the fall and awarded a $16,000 scholarship. 

Her story is far from over, and it serves as a powerful reminder that with passion and determination, every student can forge their own path—supported by the faculty and mentors who champion them every step of the way. At Central Piedmont, no two students are alike, which is why we meet you where you are—to help you get where you dream of going.  

Central Piedmont recently hosted its first “Chat, Sip, and Chew” event to bring Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) to campus that specialize in culinary and food services to meet with faculty and staff. 

Twenty-four vendors shared their backgrounds and showcased how Central Piedmont could partner with their businesses. 

One of those vendors, Jorieka Downey, graduated from the college in 2014 and overcame many hurdles to grow her business, G.R.I.T.S. CLT, into one of the top food trucks and caterers in Charlotte. 

Growing up in a family full of chefs, the culinary program at Central Piedmont drew Downey in, and the single mom of three embraced the challenge.  

“I was working two jobs and going to school full-time,” she said. “I would go to work third shift at a group home, staying up most of the night, and trying to do homework when the residents were asleep. I would then catch a little nap, drive to Central Piedmont, and go to classes for eight hours. Then I’d go home to try to spend some time with my kids before starting it all over again. It was a battle during those couple of years to be a mom.” 

After she graduated, Downey set out on a five-year plan to own and operate her own food truck. She started her career working for Compass Group in a variety of roles, including lead entrée chef, and during her time there became connected with a woman who would eventually become a business partner. 

That partnership helped pave the way for Downey to start her own business, which began as a caterer. She built her popularity at events such as the 2019 NBA All Star Game in Charlotte and the CIAA Basketball Tournament. 

“Word just traveled,” Downey said. “Our social media presence started to grow. We went viral with a stuffed turkey leg, and I know for certain I was the first to bring that to Charlotte. We had over 30,000 views. We’d put mac and cheese, collard greens, or yams in it. We would deep fry it southern style. That really made us grow.” 

Soon, Downey was even catering for concerts with acts such as Busta Rhymes, 112, Marsha Ambrosius, and more as her popularity spread. 

However, like many others in the food industry, COVID played an impact on the growth of her business. But Downey used the rest of her savings, along with loans and grants during that period, to achieve her dream of purchasing her own food truck, and success soon followed. 

In 2022, Downey won the “Charlotte's Best Black-owned Food Truck” competition, sponsored by Duke’s Mayo and judged by the likes of Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, Congresswoman Alma Adams, and others. 

Though the food truck was recently damaged in a fire, Downey has continued to persevere, and encourages Central Piedmont’s students to maintain that same attitude. 

“Stay in it,” she said. “If it’s your goal or passion, you have to give it your all. Put your best foot in and never give up.” 

Congratulations to our fall 2023 and spring 2024 ACA Scholarship winners!

Each fall and spring semester, the college's Academic Related Courses (ACA) area selects seven recipients for the ACA Scholarship for awards of $600 each. To apply, students had to write an essay answering the question “Being resilient (the ability to recover quickly from difficult conditions) is a life skill that we often do not recognize. How have you been resilient in your journey as a community college student, and what does this journey look like?" Applicants are reviewed based on meeting the scholarship eligibility requirements and on their essay's quality of writing.

Learn more about the ACA Scholarship.

Scholarship Winners

Fall 2023

Fall 2023 Essays (PDF)

• Yaretzhy Melo-Garcia
• Lori Jenrette
• Jaclyn Muckey
• Sandra Tomas
• Nandipa Kuuya
• Maramawit Teketel
• Thuy Pham

Spring 2024

Spring 2024 Essays (PDF)

• Momoko Ozaki
• Elise Ramirez
• Samantha Stone
• David Kushnir
• Nicolas Golafshan
• Preshonna Stowe
• Aayush Niroula

Central Piedmont Community College’s Truist Honors Program understands the importance of preparing scholars for the next step in their life journey.

Central Piedmont’s first research subcommittee of Truist Honors Scholars developed dissertation-like proposals and research-based academic presentations to present at academic conferences followed by an Honors Program Expo, where scholars presented to a group of students, faculty, staff, and college leaders.

The goal of the research subcommittee is to educate and expose undergraduate honors scholars to experiences and opportunities related to their interests and long-term goals whether they plan to earn a degree, transfer, or enter the workplace. The program defines success as preparing scholars for beyond what’s next.

Scholars worked for months to understand the terms associated with research, how to conduct a literature review, the use of theories to support their research, the population of interest, and the justification of choices made to support their proposal method and design. Universities and employers value individuals who know the usefulness of research in addition to knowing how to utilize data to tell a story, make decisions, and develop plans.

Ultimately, they desire critical thinking, communication, collaboration, information and technology literacy, individuals who are comfortable with research and data, and understand the practical application without the fear that many students have when they hear the word research.

Truist Honors Scholars can participate in designated honors courses, honors curated events, and/or immersion experiences aligned with research, scholarship, and innovation. All of these align with the foundations of Central Piedmont’s Honors Program from the hands-on experience of developing a research proposal, identifying existing literature and credible resources, applying research to the local and global community, and using their leadership skills to create clearly defined goals during the research process.

Throughout their experiences, scholars are required to reflect and describe their academic, professional, and personal growth as well as the impact of these experiences on their future. Truist Honors Scholars described these experiences as life-changing for a variety of reasons, but the number one reason is that they now know they can do it.

Deninne Pritchett, honors program faculty director, shares that “even as a seasoned professional and terminal degree holder,” she learns more about research every day, as well as ways to improve how to investigate, display, and manage data. She adds, “If there had been a focus on research, data, and reporting during my community college years, I would have understood more about developing original research than I did at the beginning of my PhD journey.”

This highlights the importance of Central Piedmont’s Truist Honors Scholars’ taste of doctoral life while attending community college which opens a whole new world of possibilities.

Central Piedmont hopes to fuel students’ interest and passion for research by launching the Piedmont Interdisciplinary Studies Journal (PISJ), a peer-reviewed academic journal for undergraduate and graduate researchers to publish starting in Fall 2024. The honors program-supported journal will accept scholarly work from various academic fields: empirical research, literature reviews, theoretical analysis, book reviews, and literature-supported student topic papers.

Contact Dr. Deninne Pritchett for details about the Truist Honors Program and the Piedmont Interdisciplinary Studies Journal.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has announced the selection of 60 community college students from across the United States as recipients of the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. This highly competitive award allows students to complete their undergraduate degrees at four-year institutions with minimal financial burden. 

Monisha “Mo” Pirela, who graduated from Central Piedmont Community College on May 9, is one of the scholarship recipients. Pirela earned an associate in applied science degree in Architectural Technology at Central Piedmont. A Truist Honors Scholar and a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Pirela will attend UNC Charlotte with the start of it fall 2024 semester. Pirela is the only 2024 Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship recipient from North Carolina.

According to Community College Research Center data, transfer pathways from community colleges are a significant contributor to enrollment and diversity at four-year institutions. However, a lack of scholarship opportunities for transfer students, as well as other obstacles like losing credits during the transfer process, continue to keep bachelor’s degree completion rates low.

One objective of the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is to give scholars the opportunity to graduate with as little debt as possible. The award, which is last-dollar funding after all other institutional aid, can provide as much as $55,000 a year. In addition to the financial support, Cooke Transfer Scholars receive comprehensive educational advising – guidance that is crucial for navigating their transition to four-year colleges and planning their career paths. Cooke Scholars also benefit from access to internship opportunities, study abroad and graduate school funding, as well as a dynamic network of over 3,000 Cooke Scholars and Alumni. 

This year’s application saw nearly 1,700 applications from more than 380 community colleges. Applicants were evaluated on their academic prowess, financial need, and leadership qualities.

Central Piedmont offers its students a number of direct-transfer pathway options, which are guaranteed admission programs through which students who earn an associate degree can transfer directly to a four-year college or university. Several of the pathway programs include scholarships and other financial assistance. See the Central Piedmont website for more details.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded almost $282 million in scholarships to more than 3,300 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive educational advising and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $133 million in grants to organizations that serve such students.