NCC alumna begins career as Physical Therapist Assistant
The Rocky Mount Telegram recently featured a front page story about a Nash Community College spring 2016 graduate, Ronald Hill. He overcame great personal obstacles, staying the course until he crossed the stage Friday, May 13 with his Associate Degree in Advertising and Graphic Design in hand.
Like Ronald, Dana Wise of Mount Olive achieved her goal of graduation last month. As a wife and mother of five boys, her path was not easy. While juggling the demands of the program and family responsibilities, she studied diligently and made it her purpose to pay close attention to what was taught in class. Often she could be found studying at baseball games, practices, between classes, over lunch, or other locations.
Dana commuted more than an hour one way to attend Nash Community College as a nontraditional Physical Therapist Assistant student. She maintained a 3.971 overall grade point average and was selected to represent the NCC at the state level as the college’s 2015-2016 Academic Excellence Award recipient.
She chose to enroll later in life in the Physical Therapist Assistant program after recalling the impact therapists had on her during a life-altering event that occurred years ago. She chose Nash for the reputation of its Physical Therapist Assistant program despite the inconvenient drive. “It was one of the most difficult, yet exciting adventures of a lifetime. I studied hard, worked hard, and yes, prayed hard. My family, as well as the NCC faculty, believed that I could do it…and apparently they were right,” she said.
She attributes her success as a student to many people who helped her. “I think of the custodian who directed me that first day I wandered onto campus and assured me I was in the right place,” she said. “I think of the staff member who pumped up my flat tire so I could make it to the repair shop. Most of all I think of my department’s teachers. They made themselves available to answer questions, listen to discussions, guide thought processes, etc.”
Upon graduation, Dana was hired as a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant. She said she looks forward to applying the knowledge from her student clinical experiences. “I think of the man I was able to help teach to walk again after amputation. I think of the girl who could not walk on land, but I could help her walk in the water. I remember her smile.”
Being an older student, Dana said she understands that healing is more than just physical explaining the emotional process may be the toughest part. “While I assist patients with the physical recovery, I want to be that smiling face they look forward to seeing. I want to be the one to encourage them and brighten their day,” Dana said.
Fall semester registration is July 13 and 14 from 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Classes begin on August 15. Nash Online offers degree options which can be obtained entirely online. For more information, visit www.nashcc.edu or online.nashcc.edu.
