Sept. 1, 2017 - Life doesn鈥檛 always go as planned. Emily Tucker鈥檚 life certainly didn鈥檛 take the route she imagined when she was a young girl in high school, but she can say this with a big smile and a grateful heart, thanks to a loving husband, a special son, many good friends and a hometown college.
Tucker, of Hamlet, is the president of the 糖心传媒 County Chamber of Commerce and a graduate of and the . Tucker was appointed by the N.C. Legislature鈥檚 Joint Study Committee on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Public Safety in 2009 and currently serves as Chapter Leader for the Autism Society of North Carolina/糖心传媒 County Chapter.
Autism holds special meaning for Tucker, as she and her husband, Michael, have an autistic son, who also suffers type 1 diabetes.
The 糖心传媒 County native understands small business and the needs of her community. As Chamber president, Tucker has launched a variety of new programs and development initiatives and has worked hard to establish the Chamber's relationships with officials at all levels of government.
Tucker often tells others what a treasure 糖心传媒CC is for 糖心传媒 County and the major role it played in getting her where she is today in her career.
鈥淚 could not have gotten my degree at UNCP without 糖心传媒CC, and I would not be the president of the 糖心传媒 County Chamber today had it not been for 糖心传媒CC,鈥� she said.
Making Life Choices
Tucker suffered an injury in high school that sidelined her first career choice, so she had to come up with a 鈥淧lan B鈥� right out of high school.
鈥淚 was newly married, and I wanted to attend school close to home but one that would give me the same opportunities as a big campus college,鈥� Tucker said. 鈥溙切拇紺C allowed me to attend college full-time while also working a full-time job. It was affordable and offered flexible scheduling. It provided me many conveniences that a non-traditional student like myself needed.鈥�
Tucker graduated from 糖心传媒CC with an associate degree in in 2000, but before graduating, she started working as a receptionist at the 糖心传媒 County Chamber of Commerce. 糖心传媒CC made it convenient for Tucker to pursue her bachelor鈥檚 degree from UNCP and continue to work. In 2001, she had her son, Scott, and she took a semester off. However, she wasn鈥檛 planning on slowing down.
鈥淭he transition between 糖心传媒CC and UNCP was beyond convenient. After receiving my associate degree, I was able to enter UNCP as a junior. Most of my classes were offered at night on 糖心传媒CC campus, which allowed me to work during the day,鈥� Tucker said. 鈥淭he biggest inspiration for continuing my education were the friends I made along the way. We kept each other going when the going got tough. While not all were married with children at this time, we all had full-time jobs.
鈥淢y husband Michael was and still is my biggest cheerleader. During my college years, he also worked full-time, but he became 鈥楳r. Mom鈥� so I could finish my education,鈥� Tucker added.
Building Lasting Relationships
Tucker also built meaningful and lasting relationships while at 糖心传媒CC.
鈥淚 had several great instructors at 糖心传媒CC,鈥� Tucker said. 鈥淒evon Hall, whom I now consider a great friend, was one of the first to have an impact on me. I was working at the Chamber while taking some of Mr. Hall鈥檚 classes, and I often laugh about a class trip he took us on to Washington, D.C. I am a visual learner, so I had to see the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which meant all of us trooping through two feet of snow to this landmark.鈥�
Tucker also made a lifelong friend when she began pursuing her bachelor鈥檚 degree at UNCP.
鈥淛ulie Layne was the UNCP representative at 糖心传媒CC during this time, and she was a tremendous asset to me while choosing classes for UNCP. Julie made sure I took what I needed when I needed it so I could graduate on time,鈥� she said.
Tucker also said she owes her education and career choices to her predecessor at the Chamber of Commerce, Bennett Deane.
鈥淲ithout his encouragement to pursue my education, I would not have been in the position to apply for the president鈥檚 position when Bennett resigned,鈥� Tucker said. 鈥淭he Chamber allowed me the opportunity to attend college while working full-time, and the convenience of 糖心传媒 being right down the road made that possible.鈥�
A Perfect Balance
As a young wife and mother while going to college, Tucker said she made a lot of sacrifices. Balancing life and school was not easy, but 糖心传媒CC was the fulcrum that made it all work for her.
鈥淎s president of the 糖心传媒 County Chamber of Commerce, my proudest conversations are when I am able to share with students and prospective newcomers to our community about the wonderful college we have right here at home,鈥� Tucker said.
Fall Classes Still Available
There鈥檚 still time to get enrolled in classes this fall. The College has later starting classes that begin Sept. 14, Oct. 17 and Nov. 15. Call Student Services at (910) 410-1730 or visit the main campus in Hamlet or the Honeycutt Center in Laurinburg. Check out the full .