Alumni, Press Releases

NCC Grad Lands Career in Family Law

jammie-photo“As long as you have passion and faith, and work hard, you can do anything you want in this life.” Since a young age, Jammie Wacenske had a passion to become a lawyer.  In 2006, Jammie chose to attend Nash Community College as a dual enrollment student while attending Nash Central High School. Her decision was easy because of the college’s location and reputation for investing in students and the community.

Jammie graduated from Nash Community College in 2010 with an Associate in Arts degree.  “My experience at NCC made a great impression on me and the importance of my community involvement. I was invited to participate in the Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society and spent time volunteering and giving back to the community,” Jammie said. “One of my most memorable experiences was when we would go to nursing homes and spend time with the elderly who often did not have many visitors.  These experiences have shaped who I am today.”

After graduating Jammie earned a Bachelor’s degree in History from North Carolina Wesleyan College with a minor in Political Science. She attended North Carolina Central University School of Law where she was actively involved in the community in pro bono service through the Elder Law Project. She volunteered at various will clinics and assisted attorneys with drafting simple wills for people who could not afford it on their own. “Nash Community College helped me realize there is great need for service in the community and it has made me a better person,” she said.

Jammie recalls her experience at Nash stating the instructors made the greatest impact. “Mr. Milks always kept the class going with jokes while covering a lot of material.  Mrs. Lee still inspires me to this day to think outside the box and to always have an open mind.  Her positivity is contagious,” Jammie said.

In May 2016, Jammie Wacenske completed her Juris Doctor degree and passed the North Carolina Bar Exam on the first attempt. Employed by the Matheson Law Office in Raleigh, she specializes in family law, wills and estates with plans to soon open her own practice.

Her instructors remember her as an enthusiastic and conscientious student, hardworking and dedicated. Jammie’s advice for current students is, “Don’t give up when times seem difficult and the obstacles seem insurmountable. Keep going. I would not be where I am today if I had given in to seemingly impossible odds,” she said.