WPCC’s Toni Nadeau Finds Building Blocks to Success
Morganton, NC—Toni Nadeau wanted a degree. After moving to Morganton from Connecticut with her family in 1996, she knew in just a few short years that her lack of a degree stood in the way of her professional success. So at the age of 29, Toni set her sights on an Office Systems Technology degree at Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC). And while she knew the program was a good fit with her natural ability to work with computers and software, Toni found she had some fear in returning to school.
“Being new to Morganton, my first semester was difficult,” Toni explained. “But as I made new friends and met with my instructors and advisors, my new life in school was easier. And because I was active as a student in the Student Government Association and served as an ambassador for the College, I developed a network of people who were helpful to me then and still are today. I believe that education is what you make of it, and I was willing to invest time in my education.”
Toni completed her degree in 2001 and quickly landed a part-time position as Financial Assistant at the Community Foundation of Burke County (CFBC). There she found the potential to grow her career along with the flexibility needed to nurture her then-young children. In 2006, Toni’s position grew to full-time.
After ten years at CFBC, Toni felt there were still challenges she wanted to accomplish. She wanted another degree, another building block—this time in Accounting. Toni came back to WPCC and completed her second associate degree in May 2014. And her newest degree is serving her well.
“As the Financial Assistant, my days are full of numbers!” she said. “I complete all the organization’s financials including payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, bank and investment reconciliations, monthly financial reports, fund statements for endowed and non-endowed funds as well as processing checks and creating deposits. While my focus is on all these numbers, I feel really good about my work behind the scenes. I have the ability to see funds start from a small amount of money and grow into a larger number that goes to help others in the community. I know that what I do is a benefit to others, and it is so rewarding to me.”
The building blocks that Toni found at WPCC went beyond education alone.
“Networking was one of best assets I gained from WPCC,” she offered. “I found lasting connections in my professional life that I maintain to this day. I even found a great friend there during my first year of school. Believe it or not, my friend and I now work in the same building! The relationships I made there have been so important to my success.”
WPCC’s Business & Public Services division offers Associate in Applied Science degrees in Accounting,
Business Administration, Computer Information Technology, Criminal Justice Technology, Medical Office Administration, Office Administration, and Paralegal Technology. To learn more about the division and its programs of study, contact Ms. McKesson at 828- 448-3156 or by e-mail at lmckesson@wpcc.edu.
To apply for curriculum classes, select Apply Now.
Western Piedmont Community College is situated in the picturesque rolling foothills of Morganton, North Carolina and has served the citizens of Burke County since 1964. Each year, more than 10,700 students pursue personal enrichment, new skills for a job or career, high school diplomas, college degrees, and transfer pathways. Apply online or visit the Western Piedmont Campus to apply in person.