Graduate Transforms Community College Experience Into Community Impact

A Western Piedmont Community College alumna plays a key role in the support system of the hospital that serves the Burke County community.

Morganton native Jasminn Graves graduated from Burke Middle College in 2019. BMC is a partnership between Burke County Public Schools and WPCC that allows high school students to earn college credits and complete an associate’s degree.

“My brother attended BMC, and I was able to see firsthand the benefits,” she said. “The professors treated me the same as other students, even though I was still in high school. I was given the freedom to create my path. It was very evident that the professors genuinely cared about my wellbeing and success. If I was struggling, they didn’t hesitate to walk me through additional lessons or guide me to resources in the library and tutor center. These classes eased me into the college student mindset and habits and helped me build that foundation for when I went to a four-year university.”

Graves earned an Associate of Arts degree from WPCC and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Anthropology and Communications from the University of North Carolina – Charlotte.

“I took a huge interest in my anthropology class and decided to major in it,” she said. “My professors recommended communication classes, as you will be doing a lot of field work with anthropology. I really enjoyed communication studies as well and decided to double major.”

Her UNC experience included an internship as a field researcher.

“The field project worked with the health department of Mecklenburg County and health disparities that different groups face,” Graves said. “It really opened my eyes to the different ways people are treated and the challenges people can face.

“While the project taught me how to manage tasks and navigate difficult situations, it also taught me how to perceive people and look at different solutions. There’s always more to the situation and person than what you’re initially introduced to, and it’s important not to take things personally. These are lessons I not only utilize in my professional life, but in my personal life as well.”

After graduating from UNC, she was hired as a support services assistant at UNC Health Blue Ridge in Morganton.

“Support services encompasses construction, property management, safety and security, emergency management, plant operations, clinical engineering, IT, environmental services, dietary, materials management and move management,” Graves said. “I would assist these departments with their clerical tasks and help mitigate any emergencies that could arise. The job was fast paced, with no two days being the exact same. There were multiple opportunities for growth, and I was able to experience all of them and decide which field I wanted to pursue further.

“Over time, I grew more confident in property management, and my director encouraged me to explore that field and began to give me more responsibilities. I also expressed to her that I was very interested in exploring construction and project management, and eventually she was able to format my role to encompass those duties.”

Graves completed trainings in construction safety, compliance standards and federal regulations and became a real estate specialist with the hospital in 2024, helping to manage the hospital’s facilities. The next year, she moved into her current role as real estate and project coordinator.

“I still provide clerical aid to all the departments; I just have more of a focus on projects and real estate,” she said. “For real estate, this involves lease writing and amendment upkeep, billing rent, arranging for maintenance, showing spaces to potential tenants, and (making) site visits to ensure all buildings are up to standard. As a project coordinator, I arrange for all internal office relocations, implement or update new or current clinic spaces, arrange movers for projects, work with multiple departments to obtain quotes and develop timelines for upgrades, construction documentation, budget management, furniture allocation, procurement and installation.”

She greatly enjoys working with her team.

“We all know we can depend on each other and that we have each other’s back while also holding each other accountable,” Graves said.

The position has taught her a lot about time management.

“My office is fast paced with an open-door policy, so it’s easy to become distracted and pulled away to another task while in the middle of one,” Graves said. “It’s important to decide what is most emergent and tackle those items first. To-do lists and sticky notes are my best friends to keep me on track.”

She is currently studying for an additional Project Management Professional certification and plans to earn property management certifications after that.

“I would like to work in a project management field that’s doing a direct service to the community and helping it grow,” Graves said. “From being involved with the Valdese Cancer Center and the Morganton Tower Project (six-story hospital addition), I’ve heard from our community about how happy they are to have that level of care closer to home and not have to travel and potentially be separated from their loved ones when they are being treated.

“I and all my siblings were born at Blue Ridge. It’s been amazing to see how it has changed over the past 25 years and to be a part of the largest expansion to the hospital. This has made me realize how much I still love that community involvement I was introduced to in anthropology.”

She recommends WPCC for those who want to build a firm foundation for their career.

“WPCC is great gateway into higher education,” Graves said. “Classes being offered at a variety of times allow you to work or prioritize other aspects of your life. Being a first-generation college student, I had no idea about financial aid. Advisors walked me through the steps and provided me with multiple resources and options. Professors know their students and provide support to them on a more personal level. The staff genuinely wants you to succeed and are willing to help you with any questions or circumstances.”

Published: 04/16/2026