With Two Degrees in Hand, Jakhi Bryant Heads to NC State | Eastern NC Now

Press Release:

Jakhi Bryant, a Beaufort County Early College High School graduate, plans to major in computer science or electrical engineering as he transfers to NC State University.

    WASHINGTON, N.C.    When Jakhi Bryant graduated this May from Beaufort County Early College High School (BCECHS), he walked away with two additional degrees on top of his high school diploma. As part of Beaufort County Community College's dual-enrollment program, he earned both an Associate in Arts and an Associate in Science. These degrees and this college experience will give him a solid foundation as he transfers to North Carolina State University. Bryant is part of a growing trend toward students in Beaufort CCC's service area graduating high school with a second credential in hand.

    Bryant is considering a major in computer science or electrical engineering at NC State. The decision is personal: "Nobody in my family knew how to use a computer," he said. "Since I was a little kid, I picked up on it quickly. I became the technology translator for my whole family."

    Whether it's helping his grandfather troubleshoot a television or advising his church on new security systems, Bryant finds purpose in being the go-to problem solver. He even encouraged his mother to return to school. She is now enrolled at Beaufort CCC, pursuing a business administration degree after her previous employer shut down its Greenville facility.

    When Bryant walked across the stage on May 8 at Beaufort CCC's graduation, his two associate degrees were two of nearly two hundred that the college awarded to high school students during the 2024-2025 academic year. These students take free college classes while still in high school, and in the last year, the number of credentials earned by these students has dramatically increased. The college saw a 47% increase in degrees, diplomas, and certificates awarded to high school students, while total enrollment in dual enrollment programs rose by six percent. This academic year, high school students earned nearly one in five of all credentials awarded by the college, up from just 10% the year prior.

    For Bryant, the early college experience has done more than speed up his path to a bachelor's degree. It has prepared him for the rigor and independence of a university campus. "It definitely taught me discipline," he said, describing how the heavy workload during his freshman year taught him to complete assignments promptly and to take pride in doing them well.

    One of the most formative experiences came in Dr. Probert's high school history class, which he described as tougher than many college courses. "He graded harshly, but he explained why. A lot of students got their first wake-up call from him." That early exposure to academic expectations gave Bryant confidence as he began taking college-level math, programming, and personal finance.

    When he gets to NC State, Bryant hopes to take advantage of international programs. "I just really genuinely have a love for exploring different cultures," he said, noting a particular fondness for sociology and world history.

    As a Beaufort CCC ambassador, Bryant had the chance to meet new people and attend campus events. "It was a lot more fun than I expected," he said. He also enjoyed participating in a Dungeons & Dragons club started by his friends at BCECHS.

    While Bryant looks forward to transferring to NC State, he acknowledges the transition will come with challenges, both for him and his family. "They're going to be a little lost without me," he said, laughing. "I just hope they don't have any major technical issues while I'm gone." He expects his mom will have the hardest time with the change, but he is proud to set an example. "I'll be the first in my family to earn a bachelor's degree," he said.

    For now, Bryant has modest goals: complete his degree, secure a good job, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. "I don't want anything big. I just want to have enough time to have a good work-life balance. I just care about my friends and family a lot more," he said. "That's all I ask."

    As students like Jakhi Bryant continue to thrive, programs like Beaufort CCC's early college and Career & College Promise are proving to be a catalyst for expanding access, accelerating achievement, and inspiring families to aim higher together.

• Attila Nemecz
• Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator
• Beaufort County Community College
• 5337 U.S. Highway 264 East
• Washington, N.C. 27889
• Ph: 252-940-6387
• Cell: 252-940-8672
• attila.nemecz@beaufortccc.edu