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Tim Platz is no stranger to challenging work and does not shy away from having many things going on at one time. Even with major life curveballs, he stayed focused, worked hard, followed his heart and is now sowing seeds for a future in the church.
“I worked at Goodyear as a teenager, had a son when I was 17, moved into landscaping because I needed extra money to support my family, went through a divorce at age 20 and have always looked for every opportunity to grow career-wise as well as personally. Durham Tech is now part of that journey, and the College has set me on a path toward the life I want,” Platz said.
“I worked at Goodyear as a teenager, had a son when I was 17, moved into landscaping because I needed extra money to support my family, went through a divorce at age 20 and have always looked for every opportunity to grow career-wise as well as personally. Durham Tech is now part of that journey, and the College has set me on a path toward the life I want,” Platz said.
Since 2003, Durham Tech has partnered with TROSA, a Durham-based nonprofit that empowers individuals with substance use disorders in the Triangle. The partnership provides Adult Basic Education classes to help TROSA residents further build their lives.
More than 100 TROSA participants have earned their GED through Durham Tech courses and many others have gone on to complete college degrees through the partnership.
“Community and connection are vitally important to TROSA and we are so fortunate to have a long-standing community partnership with Durham Tech,” said Keith Artin, President and CEO of TROSA. “For more than 25 years, TROSA has provided individuals with the time, tools, and resources to rebuild their lives and reclaim their futures.”
More than 100 TROSA participants have earned their GED through Durham Tech courses and many others have gone on to complete college degrees through the partnership.
“Community and connection are vitally important to TROSA and we are so fortunate to have a long-standing community partnership with Durham Tech,” said Keith Artin, President and CEO of TROSA. “For more than 25 years, TROSA has provided individuals with the time, tools, and resources to rebuild their lives and reclaim their futures.”
Shaundria Williams described herself as an inquisitive, outgoing, and nerdy kid. Growing up in Oxford, North Carolina, she loved science and aspired to be a doctor. When she started college at East Carolina University, she majored in Pre-Med/Biology, but later realized she was living out other people’s dreams and not her own.
“I was a smart kid and everyone told me I should be a doctor so I spent the majority of my formative years in the direction of being a doctor,” she said. “I felt pressure from others to go that route, but I never really thought about what I wanted to do.”
She decided to end her medical doctor pursuit and changed her major to Communications with a concentration in Public Relations before a temporary job after college led her to Human Resources.
She’s never looked back. Williams joined Durham Tech as the Director of Human Resources and Talent Management in November 2021.
“I was a smart kid and everyone told me I should be a doctor so I spent the majority of my formative years in the direction of being a doctor,” she said. “I felt pressure from others to go that route, but I never really thought about what I wanted to do.”
She decided to end her medical doctor pursuit and changed her major to Communications with a concentration in Public Relations before a temporary job after college led her to Human Resources.
She’s never looked back. Williams joined Durham Tech as the Director of Human Resources and Talent Management in November 2021.
Durham Tech student Juan-Pablo Quintanilla Ha began his interest in the Fidelity Scholars program during high school, when a guidance counselor shared information on the program.
“After learning about the Fidelity program from a high school counselor of mine, I researched the program and found I was a fit because of my Latino-Asian descent, but also because of my academic excellence and it helped that I am a go-getter,” said Ha, who was one of the Durham Tech students selected for the program. “I was then all about the program and how it could help me get a college education.”
Ha saw Fidelity’s program as a way to receive money for college, but quickly learned it was much more.
“After learning about the Fidelity program from a high school counselor of mine, I researched the program and found I was a fit because of my Latino-Asian descent, but also because of my academic excellence and it helped that I am a go-getter,” said Ha, who was one of the Durham Tech students selected for the program. “I was then all about the program and how it could help me get a college education.”
Ha saw Fidelity’s program as a way to receive money for college, but quickly learned it was much more.
When the COVID-19 pandemic slowed down college enrollment around the country, Cosmetic Arts programs at Durham Tech flourished – growing more than 300% since 2019.
Maria Steele, Director of Cosmetics Arts at Durham Tech, said it was likely due to a growing interest in entrepreneurship after so many people lost their jobs.
“COVID affected so many large businesses, that people wanted to start working for themselves, and becoming a cosmetologist allows them to specialize in multiple areas and become entrepreneurs,” she said. “You will always be able to make money in this industry because cosmetologists can do anything. You will never be stagnant. You can always reinvent yourself. It's such a versatile field, you can be an independent contractor at different salons and do everything.”
Steele is the driving force behind all Cosmetic Arts programs at the College, including cosmetology, esthetics, and manicuring – an industry that has remained resilient through both a recession and pandemic.
Maria Steele, Director of Cosmetics Arts at Durham Tech, said it was likely due to a growing interest in entrepreneurship after so many people lost their jobs.
“COVID affected so many large businesses, that people wanted to start working for themselves, and becoming a cosmetologist allows them to specialize in multiple areas and become entrepreneurs,” she said. “You will always be able to make money in this industry because cosmetologists can do anything. You will never be stagnant. You can always reinvent yourself. It's such a versatile field, you can be an independent contractor at different salons and do everything.”
Steele is the driving force behind all Cosmetic Arts programs at the College, including cosmetology, esthetics, and manicuring – an industry that has remained resilient through both a recession and pandemic.
The Black Farmer's Market will be held on the Durham Tech main campus every other Sunday starting April 16 and is open to the public from 1 to 4 p.m. Shoppers will find fresh produce and meats from Black local farmers and ranchers. There will be cooking demonstrations, family entertainment, music and food trucks. The Black Farmers’ Market accepts SNAP and participates in the Double Bucks program supported by Duke Health.
Policies and Procedure Manual: In accordance with State Board of Community Colleges code, Durham Technical Community College (Durham Tech) assures sound fiscal and management practices.
Eight Durham homes now have been shaped up due to the efforts of the pilot class of the Building Futures Program.
The 14-week program launched in September and is made possible because of the Transformation in Ten Initiative, which includes Durham Tech, the City of Durham Neighborhood Improvement Services Department, Rebuilding Together of the Triangle, StepUp Durham, and NCWorks NextGen.
The 14-week program launched in September and is made possible because of the Transformation in Ten Initiative, which includes Durham Tech, the City of Durham Neighborhood Improvement Services Department, Rebuilding Together of the Triangle, StepUp Durham, and NCWorks NextGen.
Shortly after landing on American soil in 2011 as a refugee, Zareiesfandabadi found his way to Durham Tech and got a job at a local hotel to make ends meet.
Durham Technical Community College has received a $2,000 grant from the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation to help stock the Campus Harvest Food Pantry.
The Durham Tech Campus Harvest Food Pantry offers food to students at no charge.
Alexandra Gooding, Campus Harvest Food Pantry Coordinator, said the pandemic has leveled the playing field and caused everyone to experience challenges.
The Durham Tech Campus Harvest Food Pantry offers food to students at no charge.
Alexandra Gooding, Campus Harvest Food Pantry Coordinator, said the pandemic has leveled the playing field and caused everyone to experience challenges.