Duncan said being chosen for the honor was a wonderful surprise “I honestly just couldn’t believe that anyone would feel that I deserved to be selected from all the wonderful students at WKCTC. I am very honored,” said 26-year-old Duncan, a Crittenden County resident.
When her friend, Kimberly West, a 2013 WKCTC graduate, told her how much she loved WKCTC, Duncan surprised herself when she made the decision to try college. “I had never considered going to college until that day. Running my family business is wonderful; I didn’t even know I wanted to do something new until I came to WKCTC. That changed things for me.”
Duncan enrolled with idea of becoming a nurse. “My mom and grandmother are nurses and I thought that’s want I wanted to do too.” But after a few psychology and criminal justice classes, Duncan discovered her true passion. “Everything fell into place for me, and I knew exactly what I wanted to do.”
Studying to be a clinical psychologist with hopes to work with mental health patients in the prison system, Duncan will graduate with an Associate in Arts degree in spring 2015 and plans to transfer to Murray State University next fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
Duncan serves as the president of Alpha Epsilon Beta (AEB), the criminal justice student organization on campus. She recently gathered needed supplies to help abused children through the Paducah’s Purchase Area Sexual Assault Center (PASAC) and helped organize AEB members in an effort to provide school supplies, hygiene items, and toys for children in undeveloped countries. She also organized a food drive for a local homeless shelter and is helping to plan the organization’s annual 5K run that benefits the Child Watch Children’s Advocacy Center. Duncan is also a member of the college’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
“I have had the pleasure to have Danielle in class and spend time with her in meetings and other activities. She is an excellent student and a hard worker and I am amazed at how much she is willing to give of herself to help others,” said Gary Reese, WKCTC associate professor of criminal justice and AEB advisor.
The Student of the Month program is designed to recognize the accomplishments of students on campus. Individuals selected must be currently enrolled at WKCTC and have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher and are nominated on the basis of exceptional performance, personal attributes, academic excellence and active participation in various student organizational activities.
Student of the Month recipients receive $100, a certificate of excellence, recognition on the WKCTC Facebook page, campus announcements and Web site. Recipients are also recognized by Pepsi MidAmerica and receive one free month's supply of their favorite Pepsi product.