Office of Student Life & Wellness Holds Inaugural Student Leadership Recognition Breakfast

Featured photo: The 2025-2025 Student Leadership Team poses with Levi McCracken, Trina Stokes, and Laura Simmons. Left to right: Hannah Lee, Brad Brown, Nelly Arzate Garcia, Brittany Wallen, William Robinson, Levi McCracken, Laura Simmons, Trina Stokes, and Ana Oviedo-Rodriguez. Photo by Rich Keen.

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On May 8, the Office of Student Life & Wellness held the inaugural Student Leadership Recognition Breakfast honoring the 2024-2025 Student Leadership Team, as well as inducting the newly appointed team of student representatives.

Hannah Lee, outgoing SGA president, gave introductory remarks before inviting the attendees to enjoy a breakfast buffet. After the faculty, staff, student leaders, and Blue Ridge Community College President Dr. Laura Leatherwood mingled and ate breakfast, Ana Oviedo Rodriguez, who served as the 2024-25 SGA secretary, thanked the attendees for their support throughout the year. She particularly thanked the faculty and presented them each with handwritten thank you notes, courtesy of the outgoing Student Leadership Team.

Levi McCracken, Coordinator of Student Life & Wellness, addressed the outgoing and incoming officials, encouraging them to keep going even when life is difficult. His pointed message recognized the great challenges that the students had faced in the past year, while praising their resilience.

“Sometimes hurricanes descend upon us and wildfires spread. Sometimes tragedy happens, and it isn’t fair,” McCracken said. “I think it’s important to know that life- even after great accomplishment- is not without strife, and it’s how we respond to these adversities that shows not just others, but yourself, your true character.” 

McCracken noted that the hardships presented to WNC over the past year did not stop student leaders from showing up. This year’s Student Leadership Team hosted 77 Student Life events across three campuses, had attendance of over 8,000 individuals at their events, distributed over 24,000 toiletry and snack products to our student body, and assisted with countless campus and community events. Each student leader contributed a minimum of 150 hours of service to the College.

Following his remarks, McCracken recognized the outgoing Student Leadership Team. Each received a cord to wear during the May 10 graduation ceremony, and President Leatherwood gave each student a certificate of recognition for their service. Incoming Student Government Association president, William Robinson, delivered closing remarks and outlined his hopes for the next year.

Outgoing Student Leadership Team

Nelly Arzate Garcia – Ms. Arzate Garcia will continue working towards her Associate Degree in Computer Programming at Blue Ridge. Nelly plans to work in IT following graduation, with the ultimate goal of owning a graphic design business.

Brad Brown – Mr. Brown will graduate this winter with his Associate Degree in Engineering. After graduating from Blue Ridge, Brad will attend Western Carolina University (where he has already been accepted) to complete his Bachelors of Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Electric Power and Clean Energy.

Brittany Wallen – Mrs. Wallen graduated with the Spring 2025 class and earned her Associate in Human Services Technology, focused in Social Services. After graduating, Brittany plans to continue serving the foster care community of Henderson County as a Guardian Ad Litem and transfer to Western Carolina University to obtain her Bachelors of Social Work.

Ana Oviedo-Rodriguez – Ms. Oviedo Rodriguez will graduate from Blue Ridge with her Associate of Science, and has already been accepted at Western Carolina University. Ana plans to attend Western Carolina University to obtain a degree in computer science.

William Robinson – Mr. Robinson will continue working towards completing his Associate in Arts over the next year, while also serving as our new SGA President. After graduating, Mr. Robinson currently plans to attend UNC Asheville and complete a Bachelors of Business Administration. 

Hannah Lee – After serving for two years in our Student Government Association, Ms. Lee plans to continue her studies at Warren Wilson College, where she will pursue a degree in English. 

Luz Casimiro Sandoval – Ms. Casimiro Sandoval will continue her studies next year at both Blue Ridge and the Innovative High School, with plans to complete both her high school diploma and obtain an Associate of Arts. After graduating, Luz hopes to work towards a Bachelors in Psychology.

John Nossiter – Mr. Nossiter graduated from both Blue Ridge as well as the Innovative High School this spring, obtaining both his high school diploma and his Associate in Science. After graduation, John plans to attend Washington & Lee University for a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, and will simultaneously attend the Virginia Military Institute for ROTC.

Ashley Monroy Patino – Ms. Monroy Patino just graduated from both Blue Ridge and the Innovative High School with her high school diploma and Associate in Arts. After graduation, Ashley plans to attend UNC Charlotte with the ultimate goal of pursuing her PA Degree. 

The event finished with the swearing-in ceremony for the incoming Student Leadership Team: William Robinson, Ty Thomas, Savannah Meker, Ian Dhein, Lucia Hudgins, and Emma Evans (not pictured: Dustin Stewart and Daniel Rubianes).

Learn more about the Student Government Association at www.blueridge.edu/sga.