Thaisala Eubanks was honored as the Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award nominee. Thaisala, a criminal justice student at Rowan-Cabarrus, is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and has been on the honor roll every semester. When not in school, working or supporting her family, Thaisala volunteers at her family’s non-profit organization, “Buckle My Shoes,” which assists children whose families are displaced and living in hotels in the Charlotte region. Robert W. Scott served as North Carolina Governor from 1969 to 1973 and as president of the North Carolina Community College System from 1983 to 1995. This award is bestowed on students who demonstrate extraordinary leadership qualities.

Connor Kyles was honored as the Academic Excellence Award nominee. Conner studies business administration at Rowan-Cabarrus and maintains a 4.0 grade point average. He holds an internship at Atrium Ball Park, works part-time, and volunteers in the community. The Academic Excellence Award recognizes the academic achievement, leadership and community service of a student from each of the 58 institutions in the North Carolina Community College System.

Leonidas Lazo was honored as the Dallas Herring Achievement Award nominee. Leonidas, a construction management student at Rowan-Cabarrus, will be the first in his family to graduate college and taught himself English so that he could pursue his college degree. Dr. Herring, a North Carolina native, is acknowledged as the philosophical godfather of the state’s community college system. He believed that education should be available to all and that community colleges should “take people from where they are, to as far as they can go.”