Alycia Evans – 2026 Gaston College Dallas Herring Award Winner
When Alycia Evans was discharged from her final duty station in Virginia with the United States Navy, she knew two things. She wanted to start a life in North Carolina and further her education.
“My girlfriend, now wife, recommended Gaston College, so I enrolled,” she said. “I started at Gaston College two weeks after relocating here in August 2024.”
The change of scenery and the transition from the military to the role of a student was tricky for Evans to master at first.
“One thing that makes my journey at Gaston College special is how quickly my life transformed,” she said. “Within months, I transitioned out of the military, moved to a new state, became a wife and a mother, and started college all at once.”
Smaller class sizes and an encouraging atmosphere allowed Evans to grow without feeling overwhelmed.
“It pushed me to adapt, stay focused, and fully commit to the path I chose,” Evans said. “Looking back, what stands out most is not just what I’ve accomplished, but how much I’ve evolved as a person.
Although there was a learning curve with the start of her journey at Gaston, Evans quickly became a strong student with guidance from the college’s TRiO program and its staff, even earning the Gaston College Dallas Herring Award for 2026.
“With the support and resources offered here at Gaston, such as TRiO,” she said, “I was equipped with everything needed to quickly adapt and overcome those challenges.”
Through TRiO, Evans earned a SAEOPP (Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel) Adult Learner Scholarship for this coming fall.
“My advisor, Adele, has been a huge supporter throughout my time here, helping me stay focused and believe in my potential,” she said. “Balancing school with my responsibilities, especially as a parent, has also strengthened my discipline and resilience.”
Evans graduated in May with an Associate of Arts degree and plans to transfer to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to pursue a bachelor’s in data science. With this degree, she hopes to become a professional sports analyst.
“I’ve always been extremely passionate about sports,” Evans said, “and with my attention to detail, I feel like this career pursuit perfectly aligns with my strengths and interests.”
Evans describes her experience at Gaston as empowering and feels like she ‘owns her momentum’ by achieving career milestones and setting new objectives.
“Overall, Gaston College has given me the support, confidence, and direction I needed to keep moving forward and take ownership of my future,” she said. “I didn’t just find my path at Gaston, I proved to myself that no matter how much life changes, I have the strength to rise, adapt, and succeed.”
