NRCC News

NRCC Alumni Profile: Sydney Hardwicke

Aug 05 2024

I think the best part was the community. It truly felt like each faculty member I met cared about my success and my future. I was greeted with so much kindness and care that I always felt supported and like I had a place in this community.

Name: Sydney Hardwicke
Hometown: Radford
High School Radford High School
Degree earned: Associate degree in general studies

 

When considering college and her future career, Sydney was struggling to find her path.

“I didn’t know where I wanted to go in life and there was so much pressure to have my life all planned out. I felt like I was so disorganized, and everyone knew what they were doing except me.”

“When I saw the General Studies program at NRCC, I thought it was amazing and would really help me to decide what pathway I would take.”

The general studies degree offers students the opportunity to take courses that transfer to most four-year colleges and universities.  And NRCC also offers guaranteed transfer agreements with many institutions in Virginia.

NRCC also offered Sydney the opportunity to graduate without debt through the college’s ACCE program.

“It is truly a great opportunity and it allowed me to be debt free and focus more on my education than my financial situation.”

Sydney thrived during her time at NRCC, and during her second year, she received two Outstanding Student awards, one in English and one in general studies.  She was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and was nominated for the All-Virginia Academic Team.  She served as an ACCE Student Ambassador and served as a student advocate to the Virginia General Assembly.  Syndey received an NRV Leading Lights award for her outstanding volunteer service with local schools, churches, and daycare centers, and has raised money for a local animal shelter.

During her time at NRCC, Sydney found the faculty and staff to be helpful and encouraging.

“There were so many people who made my journey at NRCC amazing. Alison Weston helped me with my many questions and college applications and I’m so thankful for her assistance as without her I’m not sure I would’ve gotten this far. Megan Doney was an amazing professor for me, and she inspired me to work hard and be a more creative person. Brian Clark was an amazing professor and advisor with PTK, I am so thankful for everything he’s done to help me throughout my time at NRCC. Angie Covey was also an amazing help to me, and I was able to experience many opportunities because of her, which I am so grateful for. The president of NRCC, Pat Huber, was also an amazing person to get to know and she inspired me to work hard, I have so much respect and appreciation for everything she’s done.”

This fall, Syndey plans to transfer to Virginia Commonwealth University to pursue a degree in film studies and eventually work in the film industry.  

Even though Sydney had thought everyone else had it all figured out, she eventually came to a different conclusion.
 
“My journey at NRCC helped me to realize that wasn’t true, and that I wasn’t the only person lost. Eventually it helped me to realize what I wanted in life and how to get there. I can’t say that I fully have everything planned out, but I feel so much more secure in my choices and sure of myself. For that, I truly thank NRCC.”

“Because of everything I’ve learned and experienced at NRCC, I believe I am prepared for whatever may come next.”