1.Ahmad Dajani, Liberal Arts and Sciences

Ahmad is part of a family tradition at Chesapeake. All four of his siblings attended Chesapeake, so he felt he knew a lot about the college by the time he enrolled. Dajani maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA at Chesapeake, and will now use his training to begin the next phase of his professional life.

What brought you to Chesapeake?  All of my siblings went to Chesapeake. I already knew a lot about Chesapeake and that everyone there is helpful. Staying local by attending Chesapeake helped me land an internship which turned into a part-time job with Quevara in Cambridge.

What are your future plans?  I’m headed to the University of Maryland, where I’ll major in Information Systems. I’d like to have in career in information systems and move on to a master’s degree.

What was your greatest challenge?  Maintaining a 4. 0 GPA was the toughest challenge. Meeting that challenge came with a lot of help and support from my professors and the staff. Everyone at Chesapeake is very accessible, so that was a huge help. Managing my time wisely on days when I traveled to Wye Mills was also a challenge, but it worked out.

Describe your Chesapeake experience.  It was really enjoyable. Got to meet so many people that I’ll stay friends with for life. I also want to stay in touch with my professors

 

2. Chukwuma Isebor, Liberal Arts and Sciences

Chukwuma, a transfer student to Chesapeake, attended three colleges after graduating from high school in 2013. From a large mid-western university to a another Maryland community college, this future teacher said he couldn’t find the right fit until Chesapeake.  

What brought you to Chesapeake?  I graduated from high school in 2013, and it’s been a long road since then. When I visited Chesapeake, I really liked the campus, but it seemed kind of isolated. That was okay, though, because there was a good atmosphere on campus. From the beginning I could see that Chesapeake would give me all the resources I needed to succeed in the classroom and in basketball.

What are your future plans?   I’m headed to Bowie State and I plan to major in political science. I hope to also get my teaching certificate for secondary education.

What was your greatest challenge?  Balancing everything during the basketball season was a challenge, but it was manageable. Chesapeake helped me in so many ways..  Tutoring was a great help. Rachel Rodriguez and MaryLu Towey really helped me with their tutoring.

Describe your Chesapeake experience It was a good experience. I’m a city guy, so I’m used to the hustle and bustle of a city. This was an adjustment. But I did adjust and ended up feeling at home. You’re just a name and number at many other colleges. Chesapeake has a family environment. All my professors knew my name and were willing to help.  Professors Linda Earls and John Haas really helped guide me at Chesapeake. Everyone from the other students to the president would take the time to help me. Help was always available and people wanted us to succeed. I was able open up to people and form connections.

 

3. Julie and Megan Andrew, Business Administration

Twins Julie and Megan began their career paths in Business at Chesapeake. They are both now transferring to Salisbury University to earn bachelor’s degrees.

What brought you to Chesapeake?

Julie:  I have a sister who is 10 years older that went to Chesapeake while she worked. It worked really well for her. She went to University of Maryland and is now an architect. That was a good example for us. I received the Presidential Honors scholarship and that was a huge incentive to attend Chesapeake. I brought AP credits from high school which also helped.  My sister (Megan) received scholarships, too. This worked really well for us. I’m graduating in two years and ready to transfer.

Megan: Chesapeake was definitely a good place to start the college path. It made sense in so many ways. My time here has been good preparation for the next step.

What are your future plans?

Julie: I’m transferring to Salisbury as a Business Economics major. I’ll do two years at Salisbury and then go into a business career.

Megan: I’m also  going to  SU this fall to study business. I’ll major in Business Finance and Management. After Salisbury, I may go into  business ownership or management. I may decide to be an entrepreneur in the future.

What was your greatest challenge?

Julie:  Initially, managing my time for the coursework. Later it was making sure that I followed the program guidelines to stay on track for Salisbury University. I used ARTSYS to make sure my credits would transfer. I wanted to stay on top of that. I finished all of my General Education classes at Chesapeake.

Megan: Making sure that I that I took the right classes at Chesapeake for a seamless transfer to Salisbury was a challenge for me. Things worked out well, though.

Describe your Chesapeake experience.

Julie: Mind opening to me.  I met lots of new people. Different perspectives make classes very interesting. I had engaging faculty and they care about your success. Larry Hearn for accounting was awesome. All of my instructors were helpful.  Chesapeake is the perfect stepping stone. You’re able to work, go to class and be involved in campus here.

Megan: It was a great experience. I’d recommend Chesapeake to anyone in this area. Best option to get a start on your college experience.

 

4. Jeremy Davis, Nationally Registered Paramedic

A professional firefighter, Jeremy has worked in Anne Arundel County for four years, and volunteered for the department in Centerville for 10 years.  Jeremy has an associate’s degree in emergency management services.

What brought you to Chesapeake?  I was looking at paramedic programs. It’s one of the best around. It also helped that Chesapeake is close to my home in Centreville. I’m a firefighter in Anne Arundel County and had been looking at programs for two years.

What are your future plans?  I want to be a paramedic and then go on to be fire department officer. I’ve been a firefighter for years and wanted to add this to my skills set.  I’ve also been a volunteer in Centerville for 10 years.

What was your greatest challenge?  Balancing school life, work and home, and volunteer hours was the toughest challenge. But I certainly wasn’t alone in trying to juggle it all. Everyone in this program has work and family responsibilities.

Describe your Chesapeake experience.   It was a great experience. For me, it was a lot different than my previous college experience because the paramedic classes are very specific and focused. That was great for me.

 

5.Janice Ladson, Liberal Arts and Sciences

This Virginia native had doubts about Chesapeake when she first arrived as a freshman basketball player. She now says that Chesapeake was the perfect place for her to begin her college journey.  This NJCAA All-American earned a scholarship to play basketball for the University of Virginia at Wise.

What brought you to Chesapeake?  Basketball.  Also,my mom really guided my college decision and she said that there would be lots of help and support at Chesapeake. She said that I’d be able to be more focused on school. She was right.  Chesapeake was really good for me.  The basketball was great coming in. The team had a great record and a great coach.  Coach (Gwen) Barnes is an excellent coach and she made us stay on top of our school work. She told us that school comes first, and she really cares about our academics. She puts academics first.

What are your future plans?  Honestly, I’m sad to leave Chesapeake, but I’m prepared for the next step. I’m interested in a career in nursing in a hospital setting. I knew when I was little that I wanted to be in a medical job. My mom is a nurse who works in a geriatric setting

What was your greatest challenge?  Two classes were really tough, Earth Sciences and Statistics.  The Academic Support Center was a huge help.  They worked with me constantly and I had study hall twice a week. I had to put a lot of work into those two classes, but I made it through!

Describe your Chesapeake experience. When I first came to Chesapeake, I didn’t really like it. It was smal,l and I thought it was too small.  Then I started looking at the important things.  I saw that the teachers really wanted me to be successful. Instructors like Linda Earls, Amber McGinnis and Courtney Sykes never gave up on me. The students and employees were friendly and supportive. I found myself falling in love with Chesapeake. It was the perfect fit for me. I’m really sad to be leaving now.

 

6.Aaron Wilt, Computer Information Systems

A Ridgley resident, Aaron joined AmeriCorps right out of high school to earn money for college. He worked with 7th graders in the Bronx, providing classroom support and heading the afterschool computer club. He started his first IT job at age 16 and plans to keep working in the field.

What brought you to Chesapeake?  The fact that I was going to be the first one my family to go to college was my motivation. Right after graduating from North Caroline High School, I joined AmeriCorps to earn money to pay for college I did my service  from 2014-2015 working with 7th graders in the Bronx.. I worked in an after-school program, ran a computer club and the Science Olympiad from 2014 – 2015. I’ve been working in IT since I was 16 years old, and worked through my time here.  Made enough to pay for two years at Chesapeake.

What are your future plans?  With a lot of help, completed Honors Program and belonged to Phi Theta Kappa.  I qualified for a full ride to the University of Baltimore for their cyber security program.  I earned as many general education credits as possible as Chesapeake, so that I will only need computer classes at University of Baltimore. Once I finish my bachelor’s degree, I hope to go work in counter terrorism work with the federal government. My teachers are suggesting that I get a master’s degree in education and I may do that.

What was your greatest challenge? Hardest part for me was time management.  Working 45 hours per week and maintaining my straight As wasn’t easy. I would have to do all my schoolwork on Saturday and Sunday.  In order earn an A in class, you have to understand the theories and do the work. There is no secret to straight As.

Describe your Chesapeake experience. It was just amazing. The staff are so down-to – Earth and helpful. Faculty have so much experience.  They have Field experience, but they’re also good teachers too. Facilities are great. Clean and technology works well.