I am the fifth of six children. Two of my older sisters have attended UNCP. I attended Peterson Elementary School, Red Springs Middle School and I graduated from Red Springs High School where I was Salutatorian of the 2007 graduating class. I am currently a sophomore at UNCP. Also, I serve as a Student Ambassador.

When considering my college options I was sure about two things: (1) I didn't want to leave my big family behind for four years and (2) I didn't want to feel overwhelmed by a huge university. UNCP afforded me the chance to get a quality education, while at the same time not sacrificing two of my biggest issues. Being that I am from a small-town and attended a small high school, I wanted to attend a college that gave me the same small-town feeling I was accustomed to. Also, by staying at home with my family I am provided with that extra push and encouragement to stay on track which is so important when making the transition from high school to college. Therefore, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity that UNCP afforded me right here in my home county.

One of my favorite aspects about UNCP is the size. UNCP is a small campus, although it is growing more and more every year. I didn't feel intimidated by the campus size or the class sizes here at UNCP. Most of the classes consist of about 30-40 students. This is very important because it makes for an environment where everyone has the ability to be comfortable as they are not trying to learn in a huge crowded classroom. Another feature of UNCP that I was drawn to was the helpfulness of the staff and professors on campus. When coming here I didn't feel like I was on my own in finding my way around. From the first steps in the application process, my admissions counselor was ways willing to help me, even if I had questions that weren't pertaining to her department. Right away, that showed me that UNCP was made up of people who were there to work with you and not against you. This is seen also with the professors, they are readily available, in and outside of class, to ensure their students get the most out of the courses.