If you’re a current student at CVCC, or if you attended the college in the last few years, you might know Ms. April Harper, Enrollment Manager for the School of Health Education. 

April’s work, and her passion for that work, has always centered around the community. Her skilled professionalism, combined with an effervescent positivity, allows her to spread light among the students she serves. And though she remains an integral team member of Red Hawk Nation, her story branches far beyond the campus of Catawba Valley. 

While April was still in high school, she loved learning and loved to challenge her ambitions. She became a high-achieving athlete on her high school basketball team. Basketball became her community; day in and day out, she drifted from an academic mindset to one of competitive plays and practice.  

Her talents on the court were noticed by many, including athletic representatives from Montreat College. When her senior year rolled around, April decided to accept an offer for an athletic scholarship at Montreat College. She would play on their basketball team and gain the financial support she needed to pursue her college degree. 

A perfect plan, right? Except for April, the scholarship created a major division of personal talents and personal goals. 

April had always been a hard-working student. She loved the classroom. She loved the community of the student body, spending much of her early high school years involved with clubs, organizations, and service projects. She recognized when she needed assistance with her studies and was always unafraid to ask for help. Best of all, she was good at creating a community inside the academic world. 

When it came down to it, April felt “iffy” about the prospect of trading her love for education for a 4-year commitment to the basketball court. 

Just before she graduated high school, April was approached by Red Hawk Women’s Basketball Coach Tisha England about the prospect of attending CVCC. “You can come here and take general education courses,” Coach England told her, “and if you still want to transfer to earn your bachelor’s degree after graduating from CVCC, we’ll make sure that happens.”  

The words were just enough to point April in the right direction, shifting her focus from basketball to her true self. She had just gained the freedom to return to her academic values. “I basically had the opportunity to [attend CVCC] and finish what I started in the first place,” April concludes. 

Upon graduating high school, April applied to CVCC intending to enroll in the Cosmetology program. She held interest in the subject and the flexibility of the career field. She could also use the time to knock out the easier general education courses, as Coach England had suggested, in case she wanted to pursue a four-year degree down the road. 

That year, the Cosmetology program was in high demand. April did not apply soon enough to be accepted. She still pressed on, however, enrolling in CVCC’s Associate in Arts degree program and working to complete her general education courses.  

Even in college, April’s joyful spirit and dedication to learning did not go unnoticed. One of her instructors, Mrs. Anna Sheilds, opened doors for April by suggesting that she join the college honors society, Phi Theta Kappa (PTK). April took the idea and ran with it, not only becoming a member of PTK, but also taking up officer positions, joining the Student Leadership Academy and encouraging others to join her on several off-campus service projects. 

“We wanted to change the trajectory of what student advocacy meant across campus and the community,” April recalls. “Through Phi Theta Kappa, we developed a ‘Commit to Complete’ singing day, where all students had to pledge to graduate with an associate’s degree. I just wanted to be a student advocate, helping out my peers and friends.”  

PTK also worked with President Hinshaw to create a PTK student scholarship, based on work and academic merit. The college approved the scholarship funds, which means that more people could benefit from the work that April and her teammates accomplished.  

April continued to use her time at the college wisely. She worked as a Mentor and Master Tutor for local elementary students; she remained involved with Phi Theta Kappa, the Student Leadership Academy, and CVCC’s chapter of Circle K International, a globally recognized collegiate service organization.  She also spent much time investing in her education by connecting with the Learning Assitance Center and tutoring center.  

Once again, April had cultivated a bright community of learners and leaders. 

The combination of frequent meetings with Ms. Shields, investing in community service engagements, and helping with student organizations worked in April’s favor. By the end of her time at CVCC, she decided to transfer to North Carolina State University (NCSU) to pursue a degree in educational advising and leadership.   

At that time, the college transfer process looked different than it does now, and April acquired more general education courses which were necessary to earn the full bachelor’s degree credits at NCSU. She also managed her time outside of campus in work-study positions, part-time jobs, and, as always, embedding time to utilize the university’s academic resources. 

She graduated with her bachelor’s degree ready to be a driving force in the world of college advising. For the next two years, she worked at NSCU as a college advisor and Americorps service member. After this, she joined the Admissions team at Stanley Community College, located in Albermarle, North Carolina, and quickly acclimated to the community college system. Within just seven months of starting her position at Stanley, she rose to become the Director of Admissions.  

“If it weren’t for Stanley,” she says, “I wouldn’t be where I am today.” 

April, with her ambitious can-do spirit, continued to find new opportunities to strengthen her professional skills. She also worked at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, located in Salisbury, North Carolina, as a Career Coach. In graduated from Appalachian State University with a Master’s Degree in Higher Education & Concentration in Community College and University Leadership.  

Four and a half years later, when home called stronger than ever, April reconsidered applying to work at the Admissions Department for Catawba Valley Community College. That year, she hit the jackpot. A new position had opened on the team, and April more than exceeded the necessary credentials. By the next academic year, April moved back to the Hickory area as an employee of Catawba Valley Community College. She received a warm and well-deserved welcome back from Red Hawk Nation.  

April’s background—both as a former Red Hawk and a successful professional advisor—gives her a deep appreciation for the backgrounds and experiences of the students who walk through her doors. 

“I always say I am my student,” April explains. “I am from [Catawba County], I went to school here, and I am excited to see how CVCC is transitioning with new resources for the college campus and for our alumni. I believe my work is about being able to give students the encouragement they need and showing them the open-door opportunities I would have only dreamed about when I first attended college.” 

 Watch April’s Success Story here.