MEDIA CONTACT:
Kenyon “KJ” Askew, Jr.
Director, Marketing & Strategic Engagement
klaskew736@nashcc.edu
252-451-8235

Nash Community College Celebrates 2025 State SkillsUSA Success

ROCKY MOUNT, North Carolina (Apr. 22, 2025) – Nash Community College continues to shine on the state stage, earning top honors and major recognition at the 2025 SkillsUSA North Carolina State Leadership and Skills Conference held in Greensboro. This year, 49 student competitors, supported by 12 dedicated advisors and three models, secured 24 medals, pushing the college’s all-time state medal count to 164.

“This year’s SkillsUSA performance is a reflection of the commitment, skill and passion of our students and faculty,” said Dr. Lew K. Hunnicutt, president of NCC. “It’s about more than medals, it’s about preparing students to lead, solve real-world problems, and thrive in their future careers.”

The college’s SkillsUSA chapter was recognized with several top honors:

• Largest Chapter in North Carolina
• Total Participation Chapter Award
• Gold Chapter of Distinction

This marks the fourth year in a row that NCC’s medal tally has exceeded 13, including a record-setting 25 medals in 2024 and another standout performance with 24 in 2025. The college’s medal growth over the last decade highlights its ongoing commitment to technical excellence and student development.

National Finalists and Individual Standouts

NCC brought home:

• 8 Gold Medals
• 5 Silver Medals
• 6 Bronze Medals
• 5 Fourth-Place Awards

Five students will advance to represent North Carolina at the SkillsUSA National Conference in Atlanta this summer:

• Mitchell Jones – 1st Place, Technical Computer Applications
• Emily Wheeler – 1st Place, Nails/Manicure
• Brennan Brown – 1st Place, CNC 5-Axis Milling
• William Medford & William Tyson – 1st Place, Robotics and Automation Technology (team event)

Though Robotics and Automation Technology is a team competition, both students were individually awarded gold medals—a rare and notable achievement.

Wanda Tyson Named Region 2 Advisor of the Year

Adding to NCC’s exceptional year, Wanda Tyson, Department Chair of Applied Engineering Technologies and Lead SkillsUSA Advisor, was named Region 2 Advisor of the Year. This award places her in contention for the National Advisor of the Year, underscoring her impact at both the state and regional levels.

“Her recognition as Region 2 Advisor of the Year is a testament to her extraordinary leadership and tireless dedication to student success,” said Dr. Hunnicutt. “She exemplifies what it means to go above and beyond, and we are incredibly proud to have her leading one of the strongest SkillsUSA chapters in the nation.”

Tyson has played a pivotal role in the chapter’s growth and in fostering a culture of excellence, mentorship, and hands-on learning.

“We are immensely proud of every student and advisor who represented NCC this year,” Tyson said. “Their hard work, creativity, and perseverance made all the difference, and we can’t wait to see our national qualifiers shine this summer.”

A Legacy of Excellence

Since 2013, NCC has earned a cumulative 164 SkillsUSA state competition medals, demonstrating sustained excellence across technical and leadership fields. The college’s continued performance places it among North Carolina’s premier institutions for career and technical education.

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About Nash Community College 
Nash Community College’s mission is to provide an affordable educational environment which prepares students for college transfer and rewarding careers. Through quality instruction and services, technology, work force development, and community partnerships, Nash Community College provides lifelong learning opportunities to individuals, communities, and organizations. Nash Community College is a public community college in Nash County, North Carolina. It is part of the North Carolina Community College System.