2025 Grad Spotlight: Sarah Tolbert

Recent Gaston College graduate Sarah Tolbert both began and ended her college journey at Gaston College. Now, equipped with degrees from Appalachian State and Gaston College, she is ready to start her career as a paralegal at a local law firm.

“Sarah was an engaged student who has excelled in the Paralegal program,” said Lisa Albright-Jurs, Gaston College’s Dean of Career and Technical Education. “Her work is consistently exemplary, she sets a great example for her classmates, and she has maintained high grades in all of her Paralegal courses. I predict she will have an amazing legal career!”

Tolbert, a 2020 Forestview High School graduate, started dual enrollment classes at Gaston College in 2018. This jumpstarted her pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Appalachian State University, which she completed in 2023.

In 2024, she returned to Gaston College for the Paralegal Technology program.

“I chose the Paralegal program at Gaston College because of the wonderful things I have heard about the staff and the overall experience,” Tolbert said. “I had already obtained my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and wanted to further my education.

“The Paralegal program here lived up to my expectations, and Gaston College was also convenient for me, being close to home.”

Tolbert said that work-based learning was the most significant advantage of her time at Gaston College, since it allowed her to earn credits while gaining workforce experience.

“The staff at Gaston College was amazing,” Tolbert said. “So many of them go out of their way to help students succeed, and it is evident that they love what they do. Specifically, Lisa Jurs and Erica Tallent have pushed me toward success, and I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to learn from them.”