Wilson Community College is celebrating the contributions of female employees who play pivotal roles in the success of our students and the growth of our institution. From educators and administrators to support staff and mentors, the women of WCC are instrumental in shaping our educational environment and fostering an atmosphere of excellence in their respective roles.
This year, we identified four recipients for this recognition through a chance drawing that included all full-time female employees. Check out the profile of each nominee below. Happy Women’s History Month!
Dr. Miranda Yelverton
My career path to becoming the Dean of Health Sciences at Wilson Community College has been driven by a passion for directly impacting healthcare at the community level and helping students achieve their goals. I began my journey by earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from a community college, where I first realized the power of nursing to change lives. Motivated to deepen my clinical knowledge, I pursued a Bachelor’s in Nursing (BSN), followed by a Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Education. These educational experiences, along with my practice as a registered nurse, provided me with both the clinical expertise and the teaching skills necessary to guide and mentor future nurses. Each step of my academic journey reinforced my commitment to improving patient care and fostering a healthcare workforce that would positively impact the health of our communities.
As I earned my Doctoral degree in Nursing, I became increasingly focused on creating and leading healthcare programs that directly serve the needs of local populations. My passion lies in working within a community college setting to develop healthcare programs that not only prepare students to meet the healthcare demands of their communities but also help them reach their personal and professional goals. I am driven by the opportunity to inspire, educate, and train the next generation of healthcare professionals, equipping them with the skills and confidence to deliver compassionate and competent care. Through leadership in nursing education, I aim to shape a healthcare workforce that is not only skilled but also dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the communities they serve, all while supporting students in realizing their full potential.
Melody Parker-Eatmon
My journey to becoming the Director of TRiO Programs at Wilson Community College is deeply rooted in my upbringing as a first-generation college student from Wilson, North Carolina. Raised by hard working parents who instilled in me the values of faith, perseverance, and education, I learned early on the transformative power of knowledge and opportunity. While my drive to succeed and embrace my authentic self was inspired by my late mother, Jackie Parker, and grandmother, Dorothy Barnes, I attribute former N.C. State Representative and educator, Ms. Linda Cooper-Suggs, as the one who sparked my interest in pursuing a B.S. degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education. As a North Carolina Teaching Fellows graduate, I soon learned that my passion for helping students extended beyond what the classroom could afford me. This desire later led me to earning a M.S. Degree in Counselor Education. My career has spanned roles in academic advising, student affairs, and career services, all of which have reinforced my passion for guiding and empowering students—particularly those from backgrounds like mine.
As a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, I have dedicated my career to scholarship, service, mentorship, and advocacy for first-generation, low-income, and students with varying abilities. My motivation stems from a deep desire to create pathways for success, ensuring that every student has access to the resources, support, and encouragement needed to reach their full potential. Through my leadership in TRiO Programs, I am committed to fostering belonging, increasing retention, and helping students see beyond their circumstances to achieve their dreams—just as others once did for me.
Kendra Faulkner
As a child, I used to play “teacher” with an old, small chalkboard and stuffed animals, so as I got older, it’s funny that I never had any initial plans or desire to become an instructor. More introverted and after being a mediocre student in high school, I attended Louisburg College where I earned my Associate in Arts degree as a college transfer student to get my grades up, satisfy general education requirements, and decide what I wanted to do. It was the best decision ever! While there, I was the work study secretary for one of my greatest mentors, the Rev. Sidney Stafford, the College Chaplain. Besides my grandparents and parents, Rev. Stafford was one of my biggest supporters and encouragers. I not only graduated with a 4.0 but blossomed with people skills and confidence that would serve me well on my journey.
I transferred to NC Wesleyan College (now University) in Rocky Mount where I completed my Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems and mainly studied programming and systems analysis. NCWC had just started offering a computer networking course at that time, and I was so intrigued and wanted to learn more about this specialization but was disappointed I could not take this “new networking course” due to schedule conflicts.
After graduating from NCWC, I took several temporary positions to explore local companies and gain experience. Academics were calling me back, however, and I had the opportunity to join the adjunct faculty at Louisburg College and serve as their Writing Center director. This gave me the teaching experience I needed to accept a full-time computer instructor position at Vance-Granville Community College, where I taught for 12 years.
During that time, I taught a wide variety of curriculum courses including Introduction to Computers, Computer Hardware/Software Support, Introduction to Programming, Networking Concepts, Operating Systems, Web Programming, and many more. I also jumped on the opportunity to become instructor certified for Cisco Networking Academy which enabled me to teach more courses and to specialize in networking. It’s my favorite! I earned several IT certifications along the way, which is so beneficial when teaching courses that map to those certifications, so I can train students on what to expect on those exams.
In August 2010, I joined Wilson CC as a networking instructor and added cybersecurity to my specialties through additional instructor training and certifications. I have been blessed to teach networking and cybersecurity to not only traditional students but to a younger age group through WAAT. It is so rewarding to help others on their journey. I believe education is the key to bettering ourselves and having so many more opportunities we would not have had otherwise. The sky is the limit. I am blessed to know that I am making a difference in the lives of others through the power of technology education.
Linda Ward
Upon graduating from Hunt High School and enrolling at N.C. A&T State University, becoming an educator was not part of my original plan. I was accepted into nursing school and aspired to become a nurse. However, life had other plans. I eventually changed my major and graduated from A&T with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering—go figure!
After graduation, things took an interesting turn. I moved back home, only to find that opportunities for engineers in my area were scarce. As a result, I began working in community services and business. Yet, I longed for something more fulfilling. Reflecting on my passion for working with young people in my church, I realized that education might be the path where I could truly make an impact. Inspired by this, I pursued and obtained my Teacher Certification from East Carolina University—and the rest is history.
As a teacher, I quickly discovered the profound opportunity to challenge and inspire young minds. Seventeen years later, after serving as a teacher, mentor, and Assistant Principal, I experienced a defining “God moment” that led me to my current role at Wilson Community College. What a rewarding journey it has been!
Now, as the College and Career Readiness Coordinator, I have the privilege of motivating and inspiring both adults and teens who have faced challenges and barriers to success. I encourage them to stay focused, push forward, and create better opportunities for themselves and their families. I challenge them to set high expectations, establish goals, and remain committed to achieving them—no matter what obstacles arise.
I firmly believe that the paths we take in life are not just for us but for those we encounter along the way. Every experience, every challenge, and every opportunity prepare us to serve others as part of a greater purpose. I have found that calling in my career as an educator, and it has been one of the greatest blessings of my life.