Lenoir Community College 2021 graduate Staci Tucker’s educational road was not always straight, but she met her challenges head on and graduated with a degree in Polysomnography.

Tucker of Pikeville was named LCC’s Dallas Herring Award recipient. The Dallas Herring Award was established by the North Carolina Community College System to honor the late Dr. Dallas Herring, one of the state’s earliest advocates of community colleges. The award is bestowed annually upon a student who best embodies Dr. Herring’s philosophy of “taking people where they are and carrying them as far as they can go.” 

Tucker has persevered through challenges with finances, housing and access to reliable internet.  Time and time again she focused on overcoming the challenges in front of her and did whatever it took to keep moving forward towards graduation.

“It goes without saying, Covid affected some households harder than others,” Polysomnography Program Chair Beth Payne said. “While enrolled in the program, Staci worked multiple waiting jobs at local restaurants. When Covid forced restaurants to close, she found herself unemployed and with few prospects for finding other employment. The immense financial burden this placed on her created challenges with stable housing, meeting her basic nutritional needs, access to reliable Internet, and dependable transportation.”

Payne said in nominating Tucker that during her decade in teaching she has witnessed many students stop attending college for various reasons, most of which faced far less than Tucker’s challenges. “But instead of quitting, Staci looked for solutions. When she found herself without Internet, she drove to a local fast food restaurant to have access to free wifi. She later received access to a hotspot from LCC’s library.”

“When her van broke down, she worked three nights in a row for several weeks to make up her clinic hours,” she said. “When she found herself without gas, Student Services assisted. Time and time again, she focused on overcoming the challenges in front of her, and did whatever it took to keep moving forward towards graduation.”

Her desire to learn was evident in the classroom as she would arrive early to prepare for classes so she would not fall behind. “Staci frequently and consistently would receive one of the highest grades in the class,” Payne said. “From working with her in class and lab, I’ve come to find Staci has one of the most brilliant minds and memories of anyone I’ve met. Her ability to look at something, commit it to memory, and put that knowledge to use is absolutely astounding. I’m positive this is only the beginning for someone as great and talented as her.”

Tucker said it was extremely important to her to complete her education. “As a first-generation college student, I began the Polysomnography Program in the Fall of 2019 as I knew that a career in the healthcare industry would take me farther than anyone in my family had hoped,” she said. “I faced many financial hardships while I was a student, often working two and three jobs to try to support myself, but the hard work paid off in the end.”

With her associate degree in hand, Tucker has been offered a job at Cape Fear Valley Hospital in Fayetteville. “Mrs. Payne, our instructor, saw me through this program and showered me with support above and beyond what any instructor is required to do. I thank her and LCC from the bottom of my heart for changing my life and leading me to a brighter future.”