Ten students completed the Medical Laboratory Technology program at Beaufort County Community College and were honored during a pinning ceremony on May 5. Madison Alkanowski, Breyona Armstead, Frankie Coggins, Daisy Evans, Johnathan Hernandez-Avila, Maria Manning, Monique Mercado, Rene Richards, Trula Stokes, and Sheena Suggs celebrated their achievements. Along with the pinning ceremony, students will participate in BCCC’s Class of 2026 Commencement at Washington High School on May 7.
The Medical Laboratory Technology associate degree program prepares students for careers in clinical laboratories. Students learn critical skills such as blood typing and transfusion practices, analyzing blood cells, measuring blood chemistry, and identifying infectious bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Medical lab technicians are essential in diagnosing conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, leukemia, and sickle cell disease. Lab work supports doctors in making accurate diagnoses and treatment plans.
The graduating class faced an unexpected challenge when limited clinical placement spots were available this semester. Faculty adapted by developing a simulation experience on campus, allowing all ten students to complete their requirements and graduate together. Lead instructor Shanna Moore stepped outside her primary subject area to help lead the simulation, which students credited as a meaningful part of their preparation.
During the pinning ceremony, lead instructor Shanna Moore recognized Madison Alkanowski for earning the highest grade point average (GPA) in the program, graduating summa cum laude with a GPA of 4.0. Breyona Armstead, Frankie Coggins, and Monique Mercado are graduating Cum Laude, with a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Johnathan Hernandez-Avila received the Art Keehnle Award for outstanding achievement and resilience.
Additionally, students Breyona Armstead and Monique Mercado received the prestigious Dr. Richard Earley Award from the North Carolina Association of Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine (NC ADLM) earlier this year. The award, named after a leader in clinical medicine, honors exceptional students in the field.
Graduates of BCCC’s Medical Laboratory Technology program are prepared for careers in hospitals, physician offices, public health agencies, veterinary clinics, research laboratories, and pharmaceutical companies. The program includes four semesters of coursework and one semester of clinical rotations. Through partnerships with four-year Clinical Laboratory Scientist programs across the state, graduates also have opportunities to continue their education.
Prospective students can apply for the next Medical Laboratory Technology cohort through May 28. For more information, contact the BCCC Advising Center at 252-940-6353.