Pitt Community College has selected University Transfer student Angel Andrade as its recipient of the N.C. Community College System Academic Excellence Award for 2017.
A 2015 graduate of South Creek High School, Andrade plans to pursue a four-year degree in economics and a career in the financial industry. The Robersonville resident will receive his award March 31, when Pitt holds its annual Academic Excellence Awards program to recognize 50 of its best and brightest students.
“After getting my degree in economics, I plan on starting my career in the investment sector as an investment banking analyst or financial adviser,” Andrade said. “With the knowledge I gain through my career, I hope to invest in my father’s growing agricultural contracting business.”
Several faculty and staff members nominated Andrade for his award, which is presented each year to a top student from each of the state’s 58 community colleges in recognition of outstanding classroom achievement and volunteerism.
“This award is given to one in every 12,000 community college students in North Carolina,” Andrade said. “I am beyond ecstatic to be one of only 58 students in the state to receive it this year.”
A Dean’s List student during the 2016 Fall Semester, Andrade was one of two PCC students nominated for the All-USA Community College Academic Team. He has a 3.66 GPA and is active in many student clubs/organizations.
“(Angel) is PCC personified,” says Pitt Science Instructor Joy Moses-Hall, who has gotten to know Andrade through his work as vice president of the college’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society chapter.
“Angel has been the windlass about which Phi Theta Kappa organizes,” she said. “He is always there when you need someone to lend a hand, or fill in, or add some expertise. He was instrumental in the success of our Early College High School student activity day and also contributed to our other major project, a voter registration and information session before the November elections.”
One of Andrade’s proudest accomplishments has been leading the charge to restart PCC’s chapter of Phi Beta Lambda, which is the collegiate version of Future Business Leaders of America. He has avidly recruited students for the club through interest meetings and distributing promotional materials.
“PCC has sparked passions in me for business, leadership and social activism,” Andrade says. “These skills were developed through activities, such as reactivating the Phi Beta Lambda chapter at PCC and holding officer positions in both Gamma Beta Phi and Phi Theta Kappa. I was proud to watch the Phi Beta Lambda chapter grow to 20 members in its first semester.”
In addition to serving as a TRiO Works tutor/office assistant and Student Activities Committee member, Andrade is a member of Pitt’s Collegiate DECA organization and Next Level Minority Male Mentoring Program. As Gamma Beta Phi’s SGA liaison/membership coordinator, he has participated in roadside cleanups and Hurricane Matthew relief efforts.
“Angel is a very driven and focused student,” says PCC Next Level Advisor Kenneth Joyner. “… He exemplifies leadership and academic excellence.”
Andrade, who works for his father’s business in Robersonville, is also very involved at his church, Gateway Christian Center in Winterville. There, he volunteers as sound booth specialist and interpreter, since he is fluent in English and Spanish. He has also participated in a missionary trip to Dominican Republic.
“Everything I am doing now is to bring myself to a level where I have the knowledge and resources (to) help others on a large scale,” Andrade said. “Being involved in my community is a way that I am doing such on a smaller scale.”