Adult Education Graduate Earns Banking Certificate and Pursues Accounting Degree

Jan. 23, 2020 - Veronica Torres of Hamlet is currently enrolled in her second semester of Richmond Community College’s Accounting program. Before pursuing her Associate Degree in Accounting, Torres started her journey at RichmondCC in 2017 as a student in the Adult High School program. 

When Veronica began her studies toward earning her Adult High School diploma, she wasn’t employed. As part of the program she learned about careers and goal setting. She decided to enroll in the online Banking Fundamentals course in January 2019. Shortly after entering the Banking Fundamentals course, Veronica graduated from the Adult High School program and earned her high school diploma from Richmond County Schools.

“Veronica came in everyday with a smile on her face and ready to go to work,” said College & Career Readiness instructors Tara McDuffie. “Veronica was hardworking and dedicated to her studies. She strived to exceed her own expectations. I was extremely proud of Veronica for being dually enrolled in the high school program and the Banking Fundamentals course.”

As a result of her hard work, she was awarded the Trustee Basic Skills Scholarship. This scholarship was created on Jan. 27, 2007, to honor all the current and past trustees of Richmond Community College and in memory of all those deceased. This scholarship is awarded to a student completing the Adult High School program and continuing his or her educational journey at RichmondCC.

Torres recently started a new job at a local retail store as she continues working toward her Accounting Degree. She has an anticipated graduation date of 2021. Her continued positive attitude, her instructors and educational planning have made her experience at RichmondCC one of a kind, she said.

“My time at RichmondCC has been amazing. The instructors played a big part in my earning a high school diploma. They gave me the motivation I needed to finish and think about the future,” Torres said.

Torres said it was McDuffie who gave her the information about the Banking Fundamentals course and helped her get signed up.

“Mrs. McDuffie always treated her students like family. Even while she working on her master’s degree and having a family and full-time job, she always took the time out to help her students.”

Adult Education Programs at RichmondCC

If you’re an adult who would like to finish your high school education, the College & Career Readiness division at RichmondCC has two ways for students to work toward high school completion. Students can earn an Adult High School diploma or High School Equivalency at either campus located in Hamlet and Laurinburg.

Depending on county of residence, Adult High School graduates will receive their diploma from Richmond County Schools or Scotland County Board of Education, in conjunction with RichmondCC. Students are required to complete 22 credits in order to earn their diploma. The High School Equivalency diploma program is designed to help adults earn the equivalent of a high school diploma. There are five subjects the student focuses on: writing, reading, mathematics, social studies and science. Online classes are also available for both the High School Equivalency and Adult High School program.

Finish For Your Future Campaign

RichmondCC has a collaborative plan to reduce the number of people in Richmond and Scotland County who do not have an adult high school education. The Finish For Your Future Campaign includes up to $1,000 in scholarship money toward a short-term certified course or curriculum program for anyone who graduates from the Adult High School or High School Equivalency program after the scholarship announcement in October 2019.

Anyone who is interested in signing up for the Adult Education programs
available at RichmondCC or is interested in learning more about the Finish for Your Future campaign should call (910) 410-1782 or email hlsmith@richmondcc.edu. More information is also available at www.richmondcc.edu/academics/adult-education.