From high school dropout to graduating with honors, Nobles excels at SCC

DeAnna Nobles’ journey at Southeastern Community College started in the Transitional Studies program in 2021 with only a HiSET exam between her and a high school equivalency diploma. Fast forward four years later and she is now working part-time, with sights set on full-time work, as the Human Resources Assistant at SCC. 

After passing the HiSET exam “with flying colors,” she said, Nobles enrolled in the associates of applied science in medical office administration program in fall 2022. With the help and encouragement of Cheri Phillips-Barkley, SCC Basic Skills Plus Career Coach, Nobles said she took a plunge into something she knew she was good at. 

“When I passed the exam, Mrs. Barkley looked at me and said ‘Well, what are you going to do now?’,” Nobles said. “A light bulb just went off in my head, and I told her that I was going to try to go to college because I never thought I was going to be able to.” 

During her college career, Nobles served as a marshal, was inducted into the National Technical Honor Society and became a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honors society. She graduated in May 2024 with her associates degree and is now taking more classes in dental office administration. 

As part of Nobles’ financial aid assistance, she was enrolled in the Federal Work Study Program. She was placed in the HR department and worked as an assistant. Because of satisfactory work performance, Nobles said her work study position transitioned her into a regular part-time employee of the college. 

“Being here has really given me the confidence and hands-on experience in an office setting because I didn’t know what I wanted to do after passing the HiSET exam,” Nobles said. “Working at Subway since 2013, I knew this would be a good change.” 

As the HR Assistant, Nobles helps with the on-boarding processes of new employees at the college. She assists with posting jobs on the career opportunities website, contacting applicants, scheduling interviews, scanning documents and helping with payroll.  

“So, it’s any and everything they want me to do, pretty much,” Nobles said. “I’ve gained so many organizational skills and have learned the proper way to run an office. I love volunteering wherever I’m needed when events are going on.” 

Nobles said she wanted to “set a good example” for her daughter by going back to school and earning her high school equivalency diploma. She explained that enrolling in 2021 at SCC was not her first attempt at getting her high school equivalency diploma. She praised Phillips-Barkley for her guidance and persistence in helping her succeed.  

“I think I’m a pretty good example of that saying of ‘meeting people where they are and taking them as far as they can go’ because that’s really what happened to me,” Nobles said. “Overcoming so many obstacles in my life with quitting high school and becoming a workaholic, I sometimes thought that I was too old to go back to school.” 

After gaining more working experience in the HR department and getting her certificate in dental office administration, Nobles wants to earn a bachelors degree in business administration. SCC is committed to changing lives through education and opening doors to opportunities. Nobles is an example of defying life’s challenges, taking charge and earning degrees in a career field she loves. Want to learn more about the Transitional Studies program and earning a high school equivalency diploma? Contact Transitional Studies Director Veronica Powell at [email protected].