Claire Jolicoeur Named NFCC Student of the Year

MADISON, FL – Each April, North Florida Community College (NFCC) honors its outstanding students during Honors Convocation and, with the input of faculty and staff, selects a student for the highest honor of Student of the Year. Receiving the prestigious 2017 NFCC Student of the Year award is Claire Jolicoeur of Live Oak. Jolicoeur will complete an Associate in Arts degree and graduate from NFCC this May with a 4.0 GPA.

“I am deeply honored to have been named the NFCC Student of the Year,” said Jolicoeur. “It's quite humbling as there are so many other dedicated students that attend NFCC. I definitely would not have made it this far if it hadn't been for the support of my family, friends and professors, and I am forever indebted to and grateful for them.”

Jolicoeur says NFCC’s outstanding student services and faculty “sealed the deal” in her decision to begin classes at NFCC as a high school dual enrollment student. She even discovered her career path while at NFCC and has applied to the University of Florida’s nursing program with hopes to eventually attain a doctorate degree.

“My ultimate goal is to get my DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) and eventually become a travel nurse,” said Jolicoeur. “I hope to also work some in Third World countries providing medical care throughout my career.”

In introducing Jolicoeur as the NFCC Student of the Year, NFCC Dean of Academic Affairs Frances Adleburg shared comments from instructors regarding Jolicoeur’s outstanding qualities and accomplishments. Statements included praise for Jolicoeur’s discipline and tenacious drive; exceptional ability to explore, examine, ask questions and formulate answers; pronounced generosity in working with and helping her peers; and outstanding work ethic.

During her NFCC journey, Jolicoeur held membership in Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) and the Save Our Animal Resources (SOAR) ecology club and worked as a student assistant in the NFCC Biology Lab. She serves as NFCC’s PTK Mu-Xi Chapter President and in April was recognized by the Florida College System as a member of PTK’s All-Florida Academic Team for outstanding academic achievement, leadership and service to her community. Jolicoeur also received the NFCC 2016-2017 Outstanding Student of the Year Award in Microbiology and the NFCC 2016-2017 Outstanding Student of the Year Award for PTK in April.

Jolicoeur offers the following advice to fellow students just beginning their college journey – “Work hard, but try to find a balance between work and pleasure. Give yourself something to look forward to each day, no matter how seemingly insignificant it may be. And be proud of yourself - you're accomplishing something that you have never done before!”

NFCC President John Grosskopf presented Jolicoeur with the 2017 NFCC Student of the Year award on April 17 during NFCC annual Honors Convocation ceremony in the NFCC Fine Arts Auditorium.

“Once again, I am incredibly grateful for this honor,” said Jolicoeur. “I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. I've loved my time here at NFCC and leaving will be bittersweet. I'm excited for my next move, however I will miss all of the people and classes here. They have been such a monumental part of my life for the past two years and have helped to shape me into the person I am today.”

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