“I had a great dentist and hygienist growing up, and that’s how I ended up choosing this path.” Ashton Williams, a lifelong resident of Troy, is in her first semester of MCC’s year-long Dental Assistant Program. Dr. Donald Davis was William’s provider, whom she credits with her enthusiasm for the dentistry field. Williams attended Montgomery County Early College, which she describes as a very fun experience with great teachers who were very caring and hands-on with student learning. With a paramedic mother, both her grandmas, and aunt being a registered nurse, Ashton always felt drawn to the medical field. Because she valued normal working hours and a stable family life,

Melissa Shaver is nearing completion of her bachelor’s degree from Gardner-Webb University, in fact she was recently recommended by the faculty for membership in the Gamma Beta Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society. A successful student, Melissa is studying human services with an emphasis on mental health counseling; she expects to use her talents as a licensed mental health or school counselor. “I’ve always been an advocate,” explains Shaver. “As far back as I can remember, I’ve enjoyed helping people. That is what drew me to the Human Services Program at MCC. I like the umbrella of opportunities this discipline offers.” Before Gardner-Webb, Shaver studied at MCC