RCC celebrates academic and leadership achievements of outstanding students
Randolph Community College is proud to recognize two exceptional students for their academic excellence and leadership. Jacob Mraz of Asheboro has been named the 2025 RCC Academic Excellence Award Winner, a testament to his outstanding academic performance and unwavering commitment to success. Additionally, Neil Rice of High Point has been nominated for the esteemed 2025 Dallas Herring Achievement Award, which celebrates students who have demonstrated a remarkable dedication to education and community engagement.
These honors are among the highest distinctions awarded within the North Carolina Community College System and underscore RCC’s mission to empower students through access, connection, experience, and success.
“Jacob’s academic excellence and Neil’s resilience and impact speak to the heart of who we are at RCC,” RCC President/CEO Dr. Shah Ardalan said. “These recognitions reflect the continued momentum of RCC’s strategic vision, highlighting the transformative power of education and the College’s commitment to student achievement. We are incredibly proud to support students who rise to the challenge and lift others as they climb.”
Mraz graduated in May with a degree in Agribusiness Technology, using his mother, who passed away in 2020, as inspiration to achieve. She failed ninth grade four times but eventually earned her GED and graduated from RCC with a 4.0 grade point average, joining the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Not only did Mraz excel academically at RCC, making the President’s List in Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 and 2025, but he also became an integral part of the community as an employee at the Armadillo Café. He was hired at Spivey’s Nursery in Kernersville before graduating and plans to take over his dad’s landscaping business, Mraz Mowing and More. Mraz hopes to pursue his bachelor’s degree at North Carolina A&T University.
Mraz was one of 58 students from each community college in North Carolina who were recognized in April for academic excellence. To qualify for the Academic Excellence Award, students must be currently enrolled, have completed at least 12 semester hours in an associate degree program, and have a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.25.
Rice also graduated in May with a degree in Industrial Systems Technology. Part of the first class of Industrial Maintenance Technician (IMT) apprenticeship program graduates, Rice tried several careers after high school before starting his job at Pexco LLC. While there, he learned about the IMT program and was intrigued by the idea of acquiring new skills and transitioning to a role that promised greater challenges and rewards. Surrounded by younger classmates, Neil initially felt out of place. But their energy, combined with the mentorship of dedicated instructors, fueled his determination. He discovered a knack for problem-solving and an ability to approach challenges with a fresh perspective. Academically, Rice thrived in the IMT program, making RCC’s President’s List in Fall 2023 and 2024 and Spring 2025 and the Academic Merit List in Spring and Summer 2024. Rice now finds joy in maintaining and improving the machinery that powers his company’s production lines and his role on Pexco’s Safety Committee.
The Dallas Herring Achievement Award was established by the North Carolina Community College System in 2010 to honor the late Dr. Dallas Herring, one of the state’s earliest advocates of community colleges. The award is bestowed annually upon a current or former student who best embodies Dr. Herring’s philosophy of “taking people where they are and carrying them as far as they can go.”
RCC’s Academic and Curriculum awards were also announced.
The Academic Award is based on the highest GPA in the degree and diploma program of study. Students must have been enrolled in two of the last four terms, have completed at least 40 credit hours in a degree program or 10 credit hours in a diploma program, and have a program GPA of 3.5 or higher.
The Curriculum Award goes to a student in each degree and diploma program who is both outstanding in their academic achievement and has potential for success in the field they have chosen. To be eligible, the students must have been enrolled in two of the last four terms, have completed at least 40 credit hours in a degree program or 10 credit hours in a diploma program, have a program GPA of 3.0 or higher, have demonstrated expertise in their field of study, and have participated in departmental, campus and community activities that promote the College.
(All cities are in N.C. unless otherwise indicated.)
Archdale: JD Charles Bennett, Manufacturing Technology – Mechatronics.
Asheboro: Crissie Makena Ayers, Associate in Science; Daphani Batten, Early Childhood Ed-Transfer: Birth-Kindergarten Licensure; Brandon Alexander Carso Boone, Automotive Systems Technology – Diploma; Valeria Gisselle Chevez Rodriguez, Photographic Technology: Commercial Photography; Bobby Wayne Dalke, Associate in Science; Imaan Fatima, Associate in Science; Sharon Ann Flinn, Business Administration; Alexius Shantel Flowers, Associate in Arts-Early College; Daisy Leigh Gaither, Business Administration – Diploma; Maria Celeste Garcia, Associate in Science-Early College; Hayden Randall Gunter, Industrial Systems Technology; Jacob Walter Hayes, Associate in Science; Harmony Desmond Huggins, Associate in Science-Early College; Heather Lynn Kroeger, Early Childhood Education-Career Track; Jason Marc Kroeger, IT-Network & Cyber Security Specialist; Blake Allen Marsh, Electrical Systems Technology; Hannah Paige McNeill, Associate in Arts-Early College; Jamie Maddison Miller, Human Services Technology; Jacob Tyler Mraz, Agribusiness Technology; Galilea Nava Medina, Medical Assisting; Danielle Dulce Perez, Business Administration-Human Resource Management; Vanessa Perez Vences, Associate in Science-Early College; Adam Trevor Ratcliffe, Automotive Systems Technology; Bailey Everett Reid, Information Technology-IT Support Specialist; Trisha Jeanette Williams, Associate in General Education Nursing.
Climax: Sha’dayah Denise Pugh, Associate in Arts-Early College; Jordana November Randlett, Criminal Justice Technology; Taylor Nicole Waugh, Cosmetology.
Franklinville: Addisyn Lily Routh, Associate in Arts-Early College.
High Point: Sollyn Dane Lindsay, Photographic Technology: Multimedia Journalism; Neil Oliver Rice, Industrial Systems Technology.
Liberty: Priscilla Bautista Chahuiz, Photographic Technology: Portrait & Wedding Photography; Marisol Lopez Mondragon, Associate in Arts-Early College.
Mount Gilead: Donald Ray Allen, Automation Engineering Technology.
Oak Ridge: Kristy Wolfgang Larabee, Interior Design.
Randleman: Reece William Beeson, Manufacturing Technology – Machining, Brooke Ann Bolick, Associate in Science; Ronnie Eugene Dawkins, Computer-Integrated Machining; Alvin Liu, Associate in Science-Early College; Macy Paige Oneal, Medical Office Administration – Diploma; Brooklyn Kate Sharpe, Early Childhood Education-Career Track.
Seagrove: Devan Taylor Williamson, Automotive Light-Duty Diesel Technology - Diploma.
Siler City: Brooklyne Shae Griffith, Early Childhood Education - Diploma.
Sophia: Havanna Dawn Wansley, Accounting and Finance.
Star: Margaret Eloise Walton, Graphic Design.
Thomasville: Peyton Samuel McDevitt, Associate in Arts.
Trinity: Caiden Lucas Abston, Welding Technology – Diploma; Zachary Andrew Baughman, Welding Technology – Diploma; Daniel Mark Dockery, Radiography; Yancy Zorrilla, Associate in Arts in Teacher Preparation (AATP).
(All cities are in N.C. unless otherwise indicated.)
Asheboro: JD Charles Bennett, Manufacturing Technology – Mechatronics; Haiden Michelle Crites, Business Administration – Diploma; Melissa Brito, Human Services Technology; Ashley R. Hedrick, Early Childhood Education-Career Track; Halie Autumn Hulin, Photographic Technology: Multimedia Journalism; Christian Santos Lopez, Accounting and Finance; Jonathan Lopez Bautista, Associate in Arts-Early College; Blake Allen Marsh, Electrical Systems Technology; Mayra Perez-Cortez, Business Administration-Human Resource Management; Bonita M. Williams, Human Services Technology Addiction and Recovery Studies.
Denton: Maxton Paul Medeiros, IT-Network & Cyber Security Specialist.
Greensboro: Zachary Dawson Hayes, Information Technology-IT Support Specialist.
High Point: Neil Oliver Rice, Industrial Systems Technology; Karen Itzel Romero, Associate Degree Nursing.
Liberty: Priscilla Bautista Chahuiz, Photographic Technology: Portrait & Wedding Photography; Jayde Lynne Carrasquillo, Criminal Justice Technology; Julio Jimenez Martinez, Computer-Integrated Machining; Raven Amani Steverson, Associate in Science-Early College.
Mount Gilead: Donald Ray Allen, Automation Engineering Technology.
Randleman: Reece William Beeson, Manufacturing Technology – Machining; Elyssah Dailene Ramirez, Medical Assisting; Kristin Toomes Wyrick, Radiography.
Reidsville: Charlene Ann Garcia, Interior Design.
Seagrove: Dylan J. Chriscoe, Automotive Light-Duty Diesel Technology – Diploma; Alexander Edward Clodfelter, Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology – Diploma; Makla Sadie Sanders, Agribusiness Technology; Ethan Nathaniel Wallace, Welding Technology – Diploma.
Sophia: Josinajenny Ortega Bringas, Cosmetology; Benjamin Grieshaber, Graphic Design.
Trinity: Kaitlyn Lauren Miller, Business Administration.
Winston-Salem: Adam Anderson, Photographic Technology: Commercial Photography.