Student Success

Medical Lab Technician Student Dan Nielson Conquers Self Doubt, Redefines Career

May 8th 2025 Dan Nielson will be the first to tell you that his inner critic is tough to beat. The 54-year-old veteran, who is graduating this May with a Medical Laboratory Technology AAS degree, has battled PTSD and negative self-talk for more than half of his life.

Cardiovascular Sonography Student Jair Lopez Credits Success to Strong Family Ties

May 6th 2025 If you had told Jair Lopez at age 15 that one day he’d be working in an American hospital, operating an ultrasound machine, and helping to diagnose heart conditions, the native Honduran likely wouldn’t have believed you.

Retirement Not an Option: A-B Tech Student Eric Velez Just Won’t Quit

May 5th 2025 A-B Tech student Eric Velez, 65, is graduating in May with an Associate in Science degree, the next step in pursuit of his childhood dream of becoming a physician.

Award-winning Artist Harper Bolick Aims to Shine a Light in Dark Times

May 2nd 2025

Student Government President Mariana Flores Leaves Lasting Legacy

April 30th 2025 Two-term Student Government Association (SGA) President Marianna Flores, 20, knows firsthand the challenges that come with learning a new language and finding her place in the community. When she was 14, her family moved from El Salvador to North Carolina.

Award-Winning Culinary Student Ezrah Hanson Says Food is His Love Language

April 28th 2025 Award-winning culinary student Ezrah Hanson will be the first to tell you that serving others is in his blood. His name means "helper" in Hebrew, so perhaps it was his destiny to grow up in a family that operated a bustling traveler’s hostel and working farm on forty acres of land.

Open Heart, Helping Hands: Student Kari Richmond Gains Valuable Experience at Medical Shelter

April 11th 2025 Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) student Kari Richmond has spent the last three-and-a-half years learning how to care for people with cognitive and physical challenges.

Construction Student Joe Cipollina Uses New Skills to Help Displaced Marshall Residents

April 9th 2025 Hurricane Helene left Asheville and surrounding areas ravaged, but it also provided A-B Tech construction students an opportunity to test new skills in the community.

A-B Tech Student Katie McMullen Recognized as One of USA Today’s Women of the Year

April 2nd 2025 At 5’5” and 110 pounds, Katie McMullen does not register as a powerful woman at first glance. But the 38-year-old A-B Tech student has recently been recognized by USA Today as one of 61 “Women of the Year” for her work running a disaster distribution center on her front lawn.

SGA Vice President Ross Fallon Built a Life Out of Legos

March 27th 2025 On A-B Tech’s main campus, many students know Ross Fallon’s broad smile. The dark-haired Vice President of the Student Government Association (SGA) is a regular at campus events and activities.

Kira Boone on Fashion, Family, and the Gifts of a Global Upbringing (Q&A)

March 18th 2025

First Biltmore Culinary Apprentice Graham Edwards Honored for Completing Program

March 14th 2025 Dressed in his signature white chef’s jacket, A-B Tech culinary student Graham Edwards, 20, met with fellow chefs and staff from A-B Tech and Biltmore on Thursday, March 13th to celebrate the completion of his year-long chef apprenticeship program.