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Beatrice A. Muhammad retired from Durham Tech in 2013 as Director of the Adult High School and GED programs serving Durham and Orange Counties.
Muhammad started with Durham Tech in 1973 working part-time in the Curriculum Business program teaching secretarial skills in the evening school program where most of her students were enrolled under the GI Bill. She worked in this capacity until 1976.
From July 1976 through 1984 she worked in the Adult & Continuing Education Department teaching Adult Literacy classes before transferring to Office Skills instruction.
“I have so many fond memories of my time at Durham Tech,” said Muhammad. “I especially enjoyed working with the staff and the sharing that took place among the Program Directors when I worked in the Adult and Continuing Department. Continuing Education classes were the vanguard that brought about new ideas, programs, and skill training to the college and community. In addition, it also offered a lot of personal interests and lifelong learning opportunities. It was a very exciting department in which to work. Another favorite of mine was the many Adult and Continuing Education State Conferences I attended.”
In 1984, Muhammad took on the role of full-time Director of the Job Training Partnership Act Program. In this role, she collaborated on behalf of Durham Tech with various municipal and private organizations, coordinating and supervising multiple job training programs lasting from six weeks to six months. She trained low-income residents of Durham and Orange counties in areas like clerical skills, electronic manufacturing and insurance coding, placing them in employment.
“Director of Job Training and Adult High School gave me such enjoyment; instant gratification. You watched students in just a few short months come out with a job skill and a job or high school diploma,” said Muhammad.
In her role as Durham Tech, Director of Adult Literacy, she served Durham and Orange counties, including workplace sites, jails and the Federal Prison in Butner, N.C. As the Adult Literacy program evolved and the numbers grew, her final role concluded as Director of AHS and GED in Durham County.
“Durham Tech is one of the main lifelines of this community. It is from where we get most of our skilled employees. Durham Tech fuels Durham and surrounding communities. The College serves the marginalized and highly skilled. The education is affordable and accessible, and I’m especially pleased to see all the new programs and training which have been added since my retirement.”
When asked what the honorary degree means to her, Muhammad said, “I am surprised and elated by the honor. I have moved into retirement, but it is gratifying to know that what I did has not been forgotten. I’ve been remembered and that is always a nice feeling. I now get to see more of the fruits of my labor, and this honor is one of them.”