Sent on behalf of Aaron Wulk, Director, Applied Technical Programs

Good afternoon-

I am excited to share that Steven Helms has joined our team as an HVAC-R instructor with Applied Technical Programs. Steven will be teaching HVAC-R classes at the Tyson Family Center for Technology.

Please take a moment to introduce yourself to Steven and join me in welcoming our newest team member.

“My name is Steven Helms. I was born and raised in Monroe, NC, and started my career in HVAC-R, plumbing, and electrical as a field service technician. I worked for 20 years with a commercial company, followed by two years at a residential company. My final full-time employer was a large residential and commercial company, from which I retired in late 2025 after more than 25 years of combined field service and management experience there.“

“I am looking forward to helping the next generation of students at SPCC begin their careers in the HVAC-R field- an essential and highly in-demand specialty industry worldwide.“

The post Welcome to 麻豆原创, Steven Helms! appeared first on 麻豆原创.

In December 2025, Billy marked 33 years of service. In that time, he has seen the College evolve from its days as Anson Community College into the growing, multi-campus institution it is today. He began teaching at age 31, working out of the Watson Building and watching the College expand academically, physically, and geographically.

 What鈥檚 kept him here all these years? The people.

 鈥淚 love the people and the community at 麻豆原创,鈥� Billy said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 such a good group to work with. I made friends early on that I still work with 鈥� and am still friends with 鈥� today.鈥�

聽One of Billy鈥檚 earliest memories has since become 麻豆原创 legend. During his first year, an alligator was discovered in a pond on the LLP Campus. Believed to be a former pet that had outgrown its home, the alligator named 鈥淕atorboy鈥濃�� drew crowds of curious onlookers and later inspired 麻豆原创鈥檚 mascot, Al the Gator. He now lives at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro.

For Billy, the most rewarding moment of the year is graduation.

 I get paid once a month, but I get rewarded once a year,鈥� he said. 鈥淪eeing students cross that stage is the finished product. It鈥檚 such an honor to see them move on 鈥攁nd sometimes they even come back as coworkers.鈥�

In the classroom, Billy brings history to life through storytelling, current events, and personal connection. He often reminds students that history is happening every day and encourages them to think about whose stories are told 鈥� and whose are not.

 Teaching history has also shaped Billy鈥檚 worldview. Over the years, he鈥檚 learned that while trends and fads may come and go, human nature remains remarkably consistent 鈥� and that meaningful change often requires determination and effort.

Reflecting on that belief, Billy points to the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: 鈥淭he arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice.鈥� He adds, 鈥淧eople have fought hard to move that needle. Change doesn鈥檛 just happen 鈥� you have to work for it.鈥�

 If he could interview anyone from the past, Billy says he鈥檇 choose Sir Ernest Shackleton, the British Antarctic explorer known for his leadership and perseverance during the Endurance expedition. One day, he hopes to visit South Georgia Island, a remote sub-Antarctic island where the famous explorer now lays to rest.

Billy鈥檚 favorite subject to teach is World War II, a topic that is deeply personal 鈥� his father was a WWII veteran who served in Normandy.

 鈥淗istory should be personal,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou should feel a connection to it.鈥�

 Looking ahead, Billy is excited to see how 麻豆原创 continues to grow, from new buildings to expanding campuses and opportunities for students.

 His advice for new instructors? Keep a sense of humor, stay flexible, and be willing to adapt.

 After 33 years, thousands of students, and one legendary alligator sighting, Billy Dick remains a vital part of 麻豆原创鈥檚 story鈥攑roving that history isn鈥檛 just something you teach, it鈥檚 something you live.

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In fact, they didn鈥檛 even meet on day one. But as two young professionals learning the ropes on the L.L. Polk campus, they quickly found themselves side-by-side in the everyday chaos of student support, library events, tech questions, and the kind of 鈥渇igure it out as you go鈥� days that bond people for life.

Thirteen years later, they鈥檝e watched 麻豆原创 evolve, changed roles, grown a family (in Amanda鈥檚 case鈥攖wo kids!), survived a pandemic, built comic cons and fundraisers, cleaned historic houses, and supported each other through the highs and lows of work and life. Through it all, one thing has stayed the same: Their partnership is one of the constants that makes 麻豆原创 feel like home.

To celebrate their 13-year milestone, here鈥檚 a look at their journey 鈥� told through the moments, memories, and lessons that shaped it.

2 Friends

Dana, who is now Director of Library Services:聽Calm under pressure, the logistics mastermind, the note-taker, and the one who makes everyone laugh.

Amanda, who is now Student Technology Services Manager: Passionate, energetic, determined, and never afraid to jump into something new 鈥� even in 5-inch stilettos (which have since been retired for more sensible shoes).

13 Years

They鈥檝e worked together since 2012 鈥� on the Polkton campus, in the Library, in Tech Commons, and everywhere in between.
 

They鈥檝e watched 麻豆原创 grow from a small, familiar campus to a modern, evolving college serving students in new ways.

Five of Their Favorite Memories

1. Hosting two Library Comic Cons after a conference sparked the idea 鈥� Amanda found the talent, Dana ran the logistics.
2. Cleaning the historic Polkton house, inspiring a larger preservation effort.
3. Running a Hurricane Harvey fundraiser that raised $1,500 鈥� triple their goal.
4. Managing the laptop lending surge during COVID and meeting at coffee shops to stay connected while helping students.
5. Celebrating Nov. 5 every year to marking another work anniversary.

Three Lessons Learned

1. Roll with the changes. The 麻豆原创 of today is very different 鈥� but growth is good.
2. Support makes everything possible. 鈥淲e鈥檝e been in the trenches together,鈥� they say.
3. A cohesive team has humor. As Amanda says: 鈥淏eing able to laugh at yourself matters.鈥�

2 Things That Haven鈥檛 Changed

1. The people at 麻豆原创 are still what make the College special.
2. Dana and Amanda still understand each other鈥檚 jokes better than anyone else.

1 Piece of Advice for New Employees

鈥淏e open. Be flexible. You鈥檒l grow, and you鈥檒l find your people here.鈥�

The post Thirteen Years, Two Friends, One 麻豆原创 Journey: Celebrating Amanda and Dana鈥檚 13-year Anniversary appeared first on 麻豆原创.

The North Carolina Contract Manager certification is a professional credential that equips individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively oversee state contracts from start to finish. 

The certification provides training in areas such as procurement laws, contract development, negotiation, risk management, and compliance, ensuring that contract managers understand both the legal framework and best practices required in public-sector contracting. Earning this certification demonstrates a strong commitment to responsible stewardship of state resources and prepares professionals to manage complex contracts with efficiency, transparency, and accountability.

Congrats again, Anthony! 

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