Guilford Technical Community College honors 2,379 graduates during 60th annual commencement exercises

GTCC 11 a.m. graduate during the college’s 60th annual commencement exercise at the First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro.

Today, Guilford Technical Community College honored 2,379 students with 2,557credentials, diplomas and degrees during the college’s 60th annual commencement exercise at the First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro.

GTCC President Anthony Clarke, Ph.D. welcomed and congratulated the students and their families.

The keynote speaker for the graduation program was Jenna Daniels, a GTCC alumna and assistant chief of the Summerfield Fire District in Summerfield, N.C.

Daniels earned an associate degree in fire prevention technology from GTCC and a bachelor's degree in fire science from Fayetteville State University. She also attended GTCC's nighttime fire academy, graduating in 2005 with certifications in firefighting and EMT.

“My journey with GTCC started before I graduated high school. During my junior and senior years, I took fire service classes offered through GTCC,” said Daniels. “I signed up, not fully realizing at the time just how important that decision would become in my life.

“By the time I graduated high school, I had already earned some college credit toward a fire protection technology degree, and I chose to continue that path right here at GTCC.”

Working at the same firehouse where she began a junior firefighter program when she was 15 years old, Daniels worked her way up from captain to assistant chief.

“GTCC didn’t just educate me—it helped break down barriers for me. And it continues to do so today,” she shared with the graduates.

In addition to her firehouse position, Daniels also teaches at GTCC as a part-time online instructor in the fire curriculum program. She has served as President of the Guilford Fire Rescue Council and currently as the North Director for the Piedmont North Carolina Firefighters Association. She was also named Firefighter of the Year by the North Carolina Firefighters Association and Career Fire Officer of the Year by the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs.

GTCC also presented its annual faculty awards during the program. The 2026 Board of Trustees Teaching Innovation Award was presented to Jonathan White, instructor for construction management.