UNC graduate student says GTCC was the perfect education springboard for him

"Every time I wondered what I was doing here, my professors told me I was where I needed to be,” said Neil Sharma. “The small pats on the back and being appreciated, while having the agency to explore myself as a student, is something I loved at GTCC and will never forget.”

Neil Sharma's academic journey began with uncertainty, but his path from Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC) to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) serves as a powerful testament to what is possible through perseverance, exploration, and seizing every opportunity.

Sharma, now a graduate student in public policy at UNC, reflects on the experiences that shaped his path and highlights the value of community colleges as a springboard for success.

After graduating high school, Sharma struggled to find his direction. He initially pursued pre-med studies, but soon realized he wasn’t in the right place in life to pursue a higher education degree, and quickly dropped out. He would go on to spend nearly a decade in the restaurant industry.

However, a desire to connect with his passions and build a meaningful career pushed him to try again eight years later.

"I was living paycheck to paycheck, and I thought that with college being fairly expensive, how could I see for myself if I was academically ready?" Sharma recalls thinking.

GTCC, just 20 minutes away from him, offered Sharma the perfect opportunity to experiment with different subjects and discover his interests among like-minded students.

"I was among students of all ages, all trying to find their place in the world, just like I was,” he explained.

During his time at GTCC, Sharma gravitated toward public policy and embraced multiple leadership roles. One of his first major experiences involved leading a Polite Politics session, where students are given the opportunity to discuss politics in a polite and respectful way. He also launched the Titan Shout newspaper, which later won the 2020 Club of the Year honor for enhancing student life.

"Every time I wondered what I was doing here, my professors told me I was where I needed to be,” said Sharma. “The small pats on the back and being appreciated, while having the agency to explore myself as a student, is something I loved at GTCC and will never forget.”

His professors at GTCC were instrumental not just in his academic development but also in shaping his confidence. He recalls one professor sharing what he called the “Grit Factor.”

"The Grit Factor, or the idea that you need to stick to something, that really changed my perspective. The GTCC way of applying yourself and sticking to it has really been the key for getting through life for me," said Sharma.

Once Sharma was settled into his academics and extracurriculars at GTCC, he began planning his next steps. The inspiration for transferring came while he was at a career fair hosted by the college, where he spoke to a visiting academic advisor from UNC-Greensboro.

The advisor, after hearing about Sharma’s extracurriculars and academic achievements, told Sharma that he was certain he would be accepted to the college, and even encouraged him to apply elsewhere.

“That really boosted my confidence,” said Sharma, “and gave me the idea that I could transfer and find other opportunities for myself.”

Sharma began applying to multiple colleges and universities in North Carolina. He describes his experience as hectic, saying he would go home from classes and write personal statements one after another for his applications.

Eventually, Sharma landed on UNC. Reflecting on his arrival to campus, he recalls the difference in atmosphere from GTCC.

“GTCC was a much more diverse crowd. There were people from all walks of life, so the classroom age range was from 14-70 years old. Being in my late 20s myself, I never felt different because it was normal,” he explained. “UNC consisted of a majority of traditional-aged students, which I realized later would present a slight generational gap.”

He also recalls missing out on opportunities traditionally offered to first-year students, such as scholarships and other extracurriculars. While a summer course offered by UNC eased the transition, Sharma noticed an information gap for transfer students. He became determined to address this.

At UNC, Sharma co-founded the Transfer Lounge along with peers Annabel Dougherty and Holland Bodner. The space was designed to support other transfer students, including those from community colleges like himself.

“Transfer students often feel they have to fend for themselves, but the lounge became a hub for social connection, and personal and professional development,” said Sharma.

“People are reporting a deeper sense of belonging. They have a fighting chance and are able to adapt better.”

Reflecting on his experience, Sharma encourages GTCC students considering a transfer to start early and build meaningful connections with professors. In addition, he encourages students to go to the institutions they’re interested in and see how they connect with the environment.

Most of all, though, Sharma recommends planning ahead.

"Having a strategy makes all the difference, especially when you’re juggling multiple applications and decisions. Since you are transferring as a sophomore or junior, it’s good to have a battle plan as early as possible. Adjust as needed but start early so you can grasp any opportunities you find early on,” said Sharma.

Sharma’s journey from GTCC to UNC and beyond is a story of personal growth and transformation.

“The key is figuring out what wakes you up in the morning. Once you know your ‘why,’ it’s easier to stay motivated and plan your next steps,” said Sharma.

His passion for higher education accessibility continues to guide him as a UNC grad student and a fellow at the Belk Center for Community College Research, where he hopes to inspire others to explore their potential.

“GTCC showed me that my dreams were possible,” Sharma reflects. “I went from feeling lost to realizing I could have an impact on the world. And that’s a lesson I’ll carry with me always.