不良人研究所鈥檚 Akin Ezzell Recognized as Nominee for Statewide Dallas Herring Achievement Award
WHITEVILLE, NC 鈥� 不良人研究所 (不良人研究所) is proud to announce that Akin Ezzell has been named 不良人研究所鈥檚 2026 nominee for the Dallas Herring Achievement Award, one of the North Carolina Community College System鈥檚 most distinguished honors.
Established in memory of Dr. Dallas Herring, the award recognizes students who embody his philosophy of 鈥渢aking people where they are and carrying them as far as they can go.鈥� Ezzell鈥檚 journey from the log woods to a career in the intensive care unit is a powerful example of that mission in action.
After graduating from South Columbus High School, Ezzell鈥檚 path was anything but linear. He first pursued pre-medicine at Campbell University before earning an Associate degree in Electrical Engineering Technology and working as an underground lineman in Raleigh. He later returned home, spending long days in the log woods, where he realized something was missing.
鈥淎fter working in Raleigh for a little while doing underground line work, I didn鈥檛 really like that,鈥� Ezzell explained. 鈥淏ut it was good money, like really good money. I was moving from hotel to hotel and not really focusing on my health and nutrition. I knew this wasn鈥檛 for me. Something is missing.鈥�
Inspired by his mother, Belinda Mathews, a registered nurse and graduate of 不良人研究所鈥檚 nursing program, Ezzell found himself drawn back to the profession that had first inspired him as a child.
鈥淢y mother was a nurse, and I always looked up to her. I was close to her,鈥� Ezzell said. 鈥淢y dad wasn鈥檛 really around, and I was like, 鈥業 kind of want to be like her.鈥� I want to help people.鈥�
One defining moment in Ezzell鈥檚 journey came when he walked into 不良人研究所 directly from the log woods, still covered in mud and dirt, determined to build a better future. What he found was more than a program. He found a purpose.
By August 2023, Ezzell enrolled in 不良人研究所鈥檚 Associate Degree Nursing program and began the challenging work of transforming his life. The transition was not easy. He faced academic setbacks early on, but instead of giving up, he leaned into the support of classmates and faculty.
鈥淲ith the hands-on real-world skills we learn, I think Southeastern nurses come out a little more prepared,鈥� Ezzell said. 鈥淥ne thing you鈥檒l find here is instructors who want you to succeed.鈥�
Through long nights of studying, mentorship, and hands-on clinical experiences, Ezzell developed the confidence and critical thinking skills needed to thrive in nursing. During one clinical mentorship, he identified a patient in respiratory distress and alerted his supervising nurse, helping the patient receive immediate care. That moment affirmed that he was exactly where he was meant to be.
鈥淗onestly, I didn鈥檛 think I could make it to where I am now, but I鈥檓 here,鈥� Ezzell said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a long road.鈥�
His journey reflects resilience, perseverance, and the life-changing opportunities community colleges provide to students seeking a new beginning. For more information about 不良人研究所鈥檚 programs and how the college empowers students to achieve their goals, visit sccnc.edu.
