2025 Grad Spotlight: Kimberley Dacosta
Kimberly Dacosta became a full-time Gaston College student in 2023, nine years after graduating from high school. And now, just two years later, she has emerged as a top student in the Information Technology program.
“Kimberly is an excellent student validated by her Networking & Cyber Defense Program GPA of 3.64,” said Information Technology/Cyber Security instructor Jeff Guzman. “She is dedicated to her studies, and I can tell she has a passion for learning. Kimberly is always among the first to complete the networking projects in class. I have also witnessed her taking time from her own work to assist her fellow students.”
Dacosta, a 2014 graduate of Charlotte’s Olympic High School, took classes at Northwest Florida State Community College and Gaston College (in 2020) before becoming a full-time student in fall 2023.
“I decided to go to Gaston College because my sister previously attended and I heard great things about the environment and Professors,” Dacosta said. “Gaston College was also more affordable than other surrounding colleges.
“I chose the networking and Cyber Defense program because I had an interest in cybersecurity. I grew to love this program because of my instructors and the way they poured into me learning the concepts in a fun way.”
She has already enrolled at East Carolina University to continue her education toward a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology with a concentration in Information and Cyber Technology, with the hope of becoming a Cybersecurity Analyst and working with the Cyber Force.
Dacosta shared that one of the most helpful things for her was the support that Gaston provided for someone whose confidence had been affected by two previous attempts at a college degree.
“When I started Gaston College in 2023, I was approaching my 3rd attempt at college, and I was scared and needed guidance,” Dacosta said. “I was a single mother starting a new career field in which I didn’t even know the basics.
“My advisor guided me and spoke encouragement into me. Along the way, I met Mr. Guzman, who by just being himself and being a great professor, helped me realize how much I love technology.”
