Durham Tech faculty and staff select one Academic Excellence Award winner each academic year during the spring semester.
Academic Excellence Award nominees must be actively pursuing an associate degree or diploma. Nominees also must have a cumulative grade point average of 4.0, have completed credits greater than or equal to 30, and be enrolled in the spring semester. A committee of three individuals reviews all applications and recommends a final nominee to Durham Tech President JB Buxton for selection.
2024 Academic Excellence Award Winner: Sofia Avila
Durham Tech student Sofia Avila has been selected as the 2024 Academic Excellence Award recipient for the College. The award recognizes outstanding academic achievements at the community college level. One student from each of the 58 North Carolina community colleges is awarded the honor.
Avila, a native of Honduras, attended a high school there before her family sought political asylum and came to the United States.
A counselor at Jordan High School in Durham, which Avila attended after immigrating, realized that she was only two credits shy of graduating. Avila finished the required two credits through dual enrollment at Durham Tech. Avila went through General Education with a focus on being a medical assistant.
She graduated in May 2024 with an associate degree and is pursuing her associate degree in nursing at the College.
“My graduating provides another special way to thank my family for being courageous enough to move to the U.S.,” Avila said. “And I came from nothing and now being recognized and receiving this honor is wonderful. Every day I thank God for his guidance, as well as Durham Tech and the people who make it a special place.”