JCC’s Thompson to Attend Student Leadership Program
Published: May 16, 2017
She will spend June 4-9 with other community college student leaders.
Marie Thompson has been selected to participate in the North Carolina Community College System Student Leadership Development Program.
A second-year information technology student, Thompson will spend June 4-9 at William Peace University representing JCC among other community college student leaders and learning leadership qualities.
Thompson, 30, said she is super excited about the experience. “It will be such a great experience to be around different people, people who want to be in leadership,” Thompson said. “I’ll also get to know more about community colleges around the state.”
A native of Kenya, Thompson moved to the United States from Japan in 2011. Thompson came to JCC in 2016 to start a better life for herself and her two sons.
Thompson said students in the United States have more educational resources available than in her native country. “I think education is very manageable here,” she says. “You can chose your schedule, you have more independence, and there are lots of resources such as tutoring, scholarships and financial aid.”
A TRIO student, Thompson said she is grateful for the encouragement and support from the TRIO staff. “I didn’t know anyone when I started at JCC, none of my classmates or teachers,” she said. “TRIO became my hide out and I soon met so many kind people through TRIO. Now I am comfortable with the campus and more confident in myself.”
Thompson is a student ambassador for 2017-18, a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and is president of the JCC Computer Club. She hopes to transfer and earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science after she graduates from JCC.
Cut line: JCC information technology student Marie Thompson will spend six days in June at the North Carolina Community College System Student Leadership Development Program.