05/26/2026
“I am sure that a lot of students, at one point or another, have asked themselves the question: ‘Is college gonna be the right fit for me?’, The answer is always yes. Higher education will always be there for you, and always willing to meet you where you’re at in life, and those in higher education will always be willing to meet you where you’re at.
For two years, I worked behind the desk in the advising office, where I am sure everyone on this stage has been to at one point or another, maybe just to see what was going on, or in a frenzy trying to find classes that work with their child's daycare schedule or based around when they’re working. During my time behind that desk, I saw hundreds of individuals tell their story, and NMC staff were always there to support the students and help them however they could.
After a while, I noticed a common pattern: A student would come in, worried about their current situation, and every single time, without fail, that student left the office feeling better than they did when they came in. There was always someone at NMC who was willing to spend time talking with them and help them work through their situation. Sometimes, the issue wouldn’t be fully resolved that day; however, there was always a lead, a class they could take, or an avenue to follow that would support that student and meet them where they were…
My fellow graduates, the world is moving fast; it is constantly changing and evolving. Most of the time, it’s for the better, and change is a really good thing. However, sometimes it can be really scary. If there’s one thing you take away from this, I hope that as you take the next step in life, you remember to watch out for one another, support your family, and always keep an open mind when meeting new people. The number one thing that we have in life is each other.”
– Adyn McHugh, 2026 NMC graduate, Bachelor of Science, Marine Technology
