Edward Guevara Rewrites His Academic Story at GTCC

“It was easy for me to switch to 8-week classes,” Guevara explained. “It sped up the process for me, and I’ll be finishing early because of that.”

In high school, Edward Guevara didn’t have much interest in academics. When he graduated from Southwest Guilford High School in 2024, he looked at his GPA with disappointment and wished he had put in more effort.

Confronted with his academic record and determined to make a financially responsible choice for his family, Guevara focused on his next step. Rather than applying to multiple institutions, he chose to attend Guilford Technical Community College.

Less than two years after enrolling at GTCC, Guevara has rewritten his academic story. Now holding a 4.0 GPA, he is set to graduate with an associate degree in arts this spring and is preparing to transfer to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte this fall.

A key motivation for Guevara are his parents. He said they’re approaching retirement, so he feels pressure to get out and support them.

During Guevara’s time at GTCC, the college transitioned from 16-week to 8-week semesters. There are many benefits of 8-week semesters for Titans. They allow students to take fewer classes at a time, complete their degrees faster, and improve focus and efficiency. Guevara excelled in this format.

“It was easy for me to switch to 8-week classes,” he explained. “It sped up the process for me, and I’ll be finishing early because of that.”

At times, the course load has felt a little hefty, but to Guevara, it has been worth it.

Naturally drawn toward business and technology, Guevara plans to major in management information systems at UNC Charlotte, with a potential double major in business analytics. Eventually, he hopes to obtain a master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence.

His transition to UNC Charlotte has been supported by the 49er Next program, a partnership that provides GTCC students with personalized guidance, access to campus resources, and early connections to the university community.

"It’s been nice having a support system and people to talk to," Guevara said of the program. "The waiver fee for applying to UNC Charlotte has been nice, too. I have two advisors I work with there, plus the advisor here at GTCC."

Guevara credits much of his success to the guidance and support of GTCC advisor Bethany Ferguson.

“I have had the honor of working with Edward in two capacities, first as his SOC 210 instructor and now as his advisor. He exemplifies the core of our mission at GTCC, and I am excited to watch him thrive at UNCC,” said Bethaney Ferguson.

As he prepares to graduate, Guevara encourages other students who may feel discouraged after high school to stay focused and take advantage of the opportunities in front of them.

“Consider the financial benefits and take advantage of all the opportunities at GTCC,” he said. “Stay on top of things and manage your time efficiently.”