Jalen Cheek, a graduate student in the Reich College of Education’s higher education master’s program, has recently been selected for the 2023 Outstanding New Professional at a Two-Year College Award by the American College Personnel Association (ACPA).
“This award means a lot to me because it helps me realize how far I have come,” said Cheek. “When working in any profession, sometimes it can be easy to forget about personal growth because you do your best to serve others. It has allowed me to reflect on my years before entering the workforce and reminds me to do more each day.”
“This award means a lot to me because it helps me realize how far I have come. When working in any profession, sometimes it can be easy to forget about personal growth because you do your best to serve others. It has allowed me to reflect on my years before entering the workforce and reminds me to do more each day.”
This national award recognizes a new education professional employed at a two-year college who has displayed outstanding professional potential and commitment to Student Affairs/Student Development. Cheek currently works as an education navigator at Central Carolina Community College.
Cheek received a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He chose Appalachian State University because of the “great things about the education college” he had heard from colleagues. After further research, he learned that App State was one of the few universities that offered a degree in higher education online, which would enable him to take classes while also working.
“I decided to continue my education because I wanted to become the most knowledgeable as possible to serve students,” noted Cheek. “During undergrad, I developed a passion for education, and once I learned I could earn a master's in higher education, I couldn't let it slip by. I knew this program would expose me to a wide range of possibilities and experience that comes along with it.”
“The more education I have, the more I can contribute to education,” he added. “Eventually, one day I may even want to teach a class or two, and the college experience will undoubtedly benefit me along the way.”
Jalen Cheek
