Portraits

Two students laugh with one another during a golden hour photoshoot.

Santiago Schnell is Dean of the College of Science.

Finance student Frank Heizmann, a US Marine Corps veteran, poses for a portrait as part of the Stripes Within campaign on Monday, October 14, 2024.

“You can’t learn if you’re hungry,” said Assistant Professor Becky Williams. Williams, with the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, keeps a snack drawer in her office for students who need a bite to eat during or in-between classes. 

Portrait of bridge student in studio.

Portrait is of my best friend after she graduated with her Doctorate from the University of Dayton. Shot on Dayton's campus.  Photo was shot on Sony A1 with Sigma 85mm DN Art lens, evaluating for background and filling light with Westcott FJ400 and Manny Ortiz Beauty Dish. Edited in Adobe Lightroom Classic.

A student walks in front of the beloved Ginko.

Central Piedmont Alumna and current instructor in the College's Rebuilding Opportunities in Construction (ROC) program; photographed in studio for upcoming feature on social media for Institutional Advancement.  "On her way to becoming the youngest licensed female electrician in the state of North Carolina.

How did she accomplish so much within her area of interest in so little time? She took classes through the Rebuilding Opportunities in Construction (ROC) program which boasts a Career & College Promise pathway in construction technologies at Central Piedmont. As a result, she was able to simultaneously graduate from Philip O. Berry High School and complete the ROC program in May 2021 with 49 free college credits and valuable hands-on experience.

“The knowledge I gained through the ROC program gave me the confidence I needed to serve as an apprentice for a Charlotte area electrical contractor after high school graduation,” she explains. “After completing the company’s apprenticeship program in fall 2021, I earned two professional certificates in electrical technology. I decided to return to Central Piedmont - after receiving the Culbertson Endowed Scholarship - to complete my education and obtain my associate degree in electrical system technology. It was a logical next step; the college’s student support system, resources, and instructors are simply extraordinary.”

After graduating in spring 2023, she  continued working as an Electrical Mechanic, but returned to Central Piedmont as an Instructor at the ROC in spring 2024. “Central Piedmont has been a constant in my life. This college has made my goals its goals…. I’m honored to be a part of this community."

However, her journey took an unexpected turn when she put her BEEC exam on hold to prioritize her mother’s health. This decision allowed her to continue building her trade skills while volunteering on local disaster relief and religious projects across North Carolina, dedicating about 40 hours each month to electrical estimating and installation. “The turn of events following my mother’s health has changed a lot in my life, but many things have remained constant. I can confidently say that Central Piedmont has never questioned my ambition but has always asked how they can support.”

Her  exam is on the docket for 2025, and she is determined to achieve her goal of becoming the youngest licensed female electrician in North Carolina."

Dr. Jazz Stephens, a comparative pathology resident, poses with a collection of some of the her favorite slides that she has come across through her career. 

Twin sisters and alumnae, Amanda and Emily Gale, have turned their enthusiasm for the outdoors into a captivating and growing multimedia enterprise. After securing their captain's licenses and graduating from the University–where they both competed in pole vaulting–the sisters boldly chose to trade their premed ambitions for a life rich with adventure. Their commitment to exploring and sharing the thrills of fishing, hunting, and boating has garnered them a remarkable following of nearly one million across Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Their age-appropriate and family-friendly content reflects their mission to educate, explain, and entertain. Through a blend of informative how-to videos and captivating tales of their greatest adventures, these dynamic sisters are redefining the outdoor lifestyle genre. They recently signed on with the Outdoor Sportsman Group networks (Outdoor Channel, MOTV, Sportsman Channel, and WFN) to host their very own TV show.