Montgomery Community College is delighted to announce the arrival of its new Director of College and Career Readiness (CCR), Yushawnda Royster. Yushawnda joins MCC with a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Elizabeth City State University, and a Master of Arts in Adult Education from East Carolina University. Yushawnda brings a wealth of experience to her leadership role, having served as a Basic Skills Assessment/Retention Specialist with Carteret Community College in Morehead City since 2005. Yushawnda comes from a family of adult educators with a great deal of community college experience. “Providing a strong foundation for students to pursue their dreams is one of the most fundamental roles of a community

Montgomery Community College is pleased to announce the arrival of Sylvia McAlister as its new Dean of Continuing Education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Language Arts and Literature from North Carolina State University, and from Western Carolina University both a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Chemistry and Master of Science in Synthesis of Organometallic Polymers. Prior to accepting her role at MCC, Sylvia served as the Quality/Continuous Improvement Manager at PaperWorks Packaging, Incorporated in Mount Gilead. She has also worked in various scientific capacities for Hospira, Pfizer and Baxter Healthcare. She also taught chemistry, biochemistry and biology for McDowell Community College in Marion, North Carolina. In addition to

Ashley Hernandez always knew she would be a teacher, but she never predicted she would move from early childhood to teaching adults! Ashley joined Montgomery Community College in March 2024 as its full-time Director of Health & Public Safety, after serving the college as the lead Emergency Medical Services instructor. Ashley holds her NC Paramedic certification as well as many specialized certifications. She has been an EMT for 17 years and a Paramedic for 7. Ashley holds certifications in many basic life support and advance life support specialties. Prior to accepting this position, she was employed by FirstHealth of the Carolinas as an Emergency Medical Services Training Officer. Ashley holds