Longtime NCC Employee Honored as Outstanding Alumnus of the Year
Nash Community College has named Robin Latham as the 2024 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year. Latham has had a storied career at NCC, and her service extends far beyond the 125-acre campus.
“In my thirty years working in various capacities, I was able to see so many students achieve their goals and dreams. Each time students achieved milestones along the way to their educational goals, I felt proud and blessed to have helped them,” said Latham. “Watching them walk across the stage at graduation always filled me with great joy.”
During her time at the college, she served in various roles throughout student and academic affairs. Starting in 1985, she served as a tutor, adjunct faculty, full-time tutor coordinator, transfer specialist and full-time faculty member. She was also the Professional Development Coordinator, where she developed professional development (PD) activities and the notable college PD days.
“The beauty of Latham’s nomination is that she has not only given her life to being a public servant for the college, but she has also been a servant to her community, as well,” said Pam Ballew, vice president of institutional advancement at NCC.
Latham has served in numerous community organizations and roles, such as the President of Nash County Democratic Women, former First Vice Chair and Precinct Chair of the Nash County Democratic Party, member of the English, Communication, and Humanities Organization of N.C., Advisor of the Phi Theta Kappa NCC Beta Upsilon Delta Chapter and many more. In addition to the honors she received while in college, Latham has also earned awards in her career, including the Horizon Award for Advisors in the Carolinas Region (Phi Theta Kappa) and the Nash Community College J. Edgar and Peggie T. Moore Staff Award.
“Nash provided me with a quality education and opportunities for growth and success,” said Latham. “As a student, I worked with the English faculty as a classroom assistant and tutor with Student Support Services. I learned a great deal from these experiences.”
She has also made strides in linguistics, in addition to English she knows French and Spanish.
Latham was invited to the SAEOPP Regional Conference (Mobile, A.L.), AAACE National Conference (Charlotte, N.C.) and SAEOPP Regional Conference (Charlotte, N.C.) to present her thesis research findings throughout the stint of 1994-1998.
She holds an Associate of Arts in General Education from Nash Technical College (NCC) and Master Instructor in Higher Education Certification. Latham earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Greensboro College in Early Childhood Education, then pursued a Master of Education focused in Adult Education from East Carolina University (ECU). She also earned a certificate in Transnational and Multicultural Literatures from ECU.
Latham knows that NCC has made an impact on her.
“Nash Community College has been an important part of my life since I first enrolled as a student in 1984. When I came to work full-time at Nash, it felt like coming home. I was welcomed by former instructors and members of Team Nash who had known me as a student,” said Latham.
As much as NCC has impacted her professional and personal growth, she hopes that she’s been able to help students with their own growth by providing the same feeling of belonging and support that she received from her instructors and staff at NCC to her students.
“Upon joining the team, I wanted to work with students and offer them the care and quality education I had received,” said Latham. “Many students I have known through the years still reach out to me in the community to tell me how they are doing or to ask for advice. I am fortunate they remember me and want to check in with me.”
Latham plans to continue supporting the various initiatives and new parts of NCC.
“I will continue to serve Nash Community College in whatever ways I can. Nash is and always will be a tremendous part of my identity,” said Latham.
One of the primary ways Latham supports the college is through the scholarship fund.
“I received scholarships in my time as a student. I know how much scholarships mean to someone who needs help reaching their educational goals,” said Latham. “It has been a long and exciting road since I first arrived as a student. I am truly honored to receive the Alumni Award. I’m grateful for the award and recognition of my commitment to the college.”
