Meet the Staff

Dr. Felita C. Carr
Director
(919) 209-2075
fccarr@johnstoncc.edu

Dr. Felita Carr joined the TRIO program at JCC in 2016 as the Success Coach. In this position, Dr. Carr worked closely with TRIO students to promote access to resources and helped guide students towards both academic and personal success. She has nearly eighteen years of experience working in two TRIO programs, Educational Talent Search and Student Support Services. Dr. Carr's role in TRIO at JCC allows her to support students who face barriers to success; in addition, she spends time guiding students towards transferring to a four-year college successfully and provides them with counseling and referrals for therapeutic interventions. As Director, Dr. Carr is responsible for reports to the U.S. Department of Education and college officials.  She also represents JCC and TRIO on all project-related matters.

Dr. Carr earned a Doctor of Education degree from Morgan State University, a Master's degree from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science degree from North Carolina Central University. Prior to her career in TRIO, Dr. Carr taught high school mathematics. She is committed to enriching the lives of students in the TRIO program.

S T R E N G T H S –  BELIEF - INCLUDER - RESPONSIBILITY - POSITIVITY - ARRANGER

Johanna Thatch
Success Coach
(919) 209-2031
j_thatch@johnstoncc.edu

Johanna Thatch recently joined the TRIO team as a Success Coach at JCC in February 2019. Prior to coming aboard, she worked as an Academic Coach at Fayetteville State University, where she worked with participants enrolled in the GEAR UP Program, a college preparatory program which tracks students until they graduate from high school and enter college. Additionally, she has several years of experience in academic advisement, working with various TRIO Programs including Student Support Services, Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science, bringing nearly 20 years experience. In her current role at JCC, she is responsible for providing academic support to students in the Student Support Services program with the primary mission of ensuring success as students seamlessly transfer into a four year institution. Johanna holds a bachelor's degree in English from Bennett College and a master's degree in English from North Carolina A&T State University. 

S T R E N G T H S - INTELLECTION - INPUT - CONNECTEDNESS - CONTEXT - BELIEF

Sirus Forghani
Learning Strategies Specialist
(919) 209-2044
s_forghani@johnstoncc.edu

S T R E N G T H S – Input - Learner - Futuristic - Analytical - Strategic

Amanda Best
Program Assistant
(919) 209-2511
albest@johnstoncc.edu

Amanda Best joined TRIO in November, 2019. Amanda Best is a two time graduate from Johnston Community College. She has her Associates Degree in Medical Office Administration and Business Administration. Amanda is an inducted member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and a member of The Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel. Prior to working for TRIO, Amanda volunteered with Harbor, Inc. She also served as an office assistant for two years in the work-study program in the Truck Driver Training School at Johnston Community College. Amanda’s passion for helping students led her to the position at TRIO. Amanda’s job as a program assistant involves, assisting with planning program-related educational and cultural enrichment field trips, performing administrative duties, and planning and coordinating educational programming, workshops and activities for the TRIO program. Mostly, she will play a pivotal role in contributing to the success of the TRIO students.

S T R E N G T H S – INPUT - FUTURISTIC - ACHIEVER - RESPONSIBILITY - BELIEF

Misty Garcia
Advanced Level, NTA Certified Peer Tutor
mlgarcia@johnstoncc.edu

Misty Garcia is a 2007 honors graduate of Johnston Community College with an associate's degree in applied science, computer programming. She began tutoring for TRIO in the spring of 2007. In addition to nearly nine years' experience as a TRIO tutor, Misty has also served on the TRIO Service Committee (TSC), helped with an Innovation Grant award "Project Enhancement" during the summer, and has been involved in numerous service projects including Helping Hands Teach, Samaritan's Purse, and visiting nursing homes. Misty maintains high academic standing and was a dean's list student. Misty shares about her experiences tutoring for the program, "I enjoy tutoring because it enables me to help others achieve their academic goals by sharing what I have learned with them." Misty's extraordinary ability to share her expertise with others is evident at all levels; she was named 2016 Tutor of the Year by the National Tutoring Association.

S T R E N G T H S –HARMONY - RELATOR - LEARNER - RESPONSIBILITY - RESTORATIVE

Phelicia Thompson
Basic Level, NTA Certified Peer Tutor
pathompson@johnstoncc.edu

Phelicia Thompson graduated from Johnston Community College in 2018, with an Associate in Arts degree.  As a student, she joined TRIO in 2017.  Phelicia became an outstanding advocate for TRIO and was awarded the TRIO Spirit Award in 2018.  While attending Johnston Community College, she excelled in both English 111 and English 112.  She also advanced in American Literature and British Literature.  Phelicia was accepted as a TRIO Tutor in 2019.  She has a passion for learning and helping people.  Phelicia enjoys tutoring in TRIO in the subjects of; Writing, English, Paper Revision, and Developmental Math.  Phelicia’s favorite quote is,

“Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.”  ~ Albert Einstein

S T R E N G T H S –STRATEGIC–LEARNER–RESPONSIBILITY–DISCIPLINE-FUTURISTIC

TRIO Work-Study

919-209-2236