I’m Kaleigh Thompson. I earned my Associate of Science degree from Northeastern Technical College in 2022 and am currently enrolled in the Nursing program here.

For me, college has been a juggling act – an education, student involvement, a full-time job, a social life.

How did I do it? Not easily. Sometimes I sacrificed free time. Or sleep. Or going out. But I found my tribe – a core group of people who wanted to see me succeed – and they constantly reminded me that, yes, it’s tough to do it all. But I’m tougher, and I can!

There’s often a stigma that you can’t find a sense of belonging at a technical college like you would at a four-year university. What are your thoughts about that?

Yes, there’s a stigma, but it simply isn’t true. Northeastern may be small, but the people are what makes it exceptional. It feels like home, a place where people smile when you pass by, where they remember your name and ask how your weekend was. It’s a place where you’re a person – not a number or a moneybag.

I found that sense of belonging playing on NETC’s very first golf team. I’d grown up playing for fun in Bethune, SC, and as a teenager I started playing matches against my friends at Governor’s Run in Lamar, SC, for a little healthy competition. When I saw a pop-up interest form for golf on the college’s website, I filled it out. That first year, there were two guys – Collin and Nathan – and me. That could have been very intimidating, but they made me feel like part of the team. And we became friends, not just teammates.

I also got involved with a work study program in the marketing department so I could make some extra money for textbooks. There, I helped create school campaign ideas and became our school’s student ambassador. I got to take pictures and talk to students about their experiences at NETC. The department was so kind and welcoming to me, and it was a fun way to befriend others on campus.

And speaking of friends… I met my best friend Sam on the first day of class. She laughed at one of my jokes, and I knew right then we would be friends. Now, we spend almost every day together – studying, taking lunch breaks, pushing through Nursing school – just believing in each other.

So yeah… I’ve found a sense of belonging in a lot of different places and with a lot of different people at Northeastern.

Golf. Work study. Classes. Let’s toss up another one of those juggling balls. You did all of this with a full-time job?

Yes. The entire time I was earning my Associate of Science Degree, I was also working 40+ hours a week as a manager at Panera Bread. I would go to work at 4:30 am, get off at 1:30 pm, and drive an hour to Cheraw to make it to Microbiology class by 2:30 pm. I was so thankful for a teacher who would always start a few minutes late so I wouldn’t miss anything. When I graduated and started Nursing school, I left Panera Bread to work in the hospital setting, which started my healthcare working career. Now my work and my education complement each other.

It sounds like the faculty and staff there at the college really empathize with the challenges students face and work with you so that you can be successful…

They do that and so much more. Ms. Christi Meggs in HR has been my biggest supporter. We met by chance at a golf meeting, and she told me that if I ever needed anything, I should give her a call. One day, I had a simple question about school and didn’t know who to ask. I called her, and she helped me. So I kept calling when I needed someone, and she kept showing up. She helped me find funds when I couldn’t afford my education.

She helped me balance golf and classes. She was there for my college signing day and my graduation. She checks on me and makes sure I have what I need.

Ms. Christi is my lifeline at Northeastern. When I graduated, people asked if I was going to a university for my Nursing degree. I didn’t hesitate – no! If I have someone who believes in me like she does right here, why would I go look for someone else, somewhere else? Her role in my success at NETC has been that crucial.