For Hannah Hardy, attending Wake Tech meant going to the big city.

"Wake Tech is in Raleigh, so it's a little more exciting than where I was," said Hardy, who grew up in a rural part of neighboring Johnston County."

But the college wasn't too big for her, and she says the student support services provided made her feel at home and gave her the confidence to excel.

"There are so many different resources to tap into," she said, "so much support to get you where you need to be."

Hardy admitted she wasn't the best student in high school, so she took advantage of Wake Tech's free tutoring services, especially for math, to get up to speed and academic advisors to sort out her educational path.

Kay Ruth, who heads up the Tutoring and Learning Center, says many students entering Wake Tech need assistance with math.

“Our trained tutors work with students to help them understand specific math concepts and can also help them prepare for exams,” Ruth said. “The TLC can also help students improve their note-taking and study skills, as well as time management, which will improve their performance in all classes.

"We want students to visit us as early in the semester as possible so that we can support them in their learning goals," she added.

After initially considering the Dental Hygiene program, Hardy switched to Associate in Arts (AA) after taking some Humanities and Social Sciences courses, including an abnormal psychology course she described as "fascinating."

"I like learning about society and why people do what they do," she said.

"Wake Tech lit a passion inside me," she added. "I don't remember ever feeling driven to perform well before that. I got a real sense of accomplishment out of succeeding in classes."

After earning her AA degree, Hardy transferred to UNC-Charlotte, where she completed a bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology. There, research she conducted into maternal wellness and kindergarten readiness brought her into contact with various nonprofits.

"I wanted a deeper dive into those areas," she said. "I really enjoyed the idea of helping folks coming from marginalized communities."

She worked with the Salvation Army, organizing outreach events for homeless children. Then, while earning a master's degree in social work from North Carolina State University, she interned at a behavioral health center.

Hardy later worked on youth development activities for Durham nonprofit SwingPals and the Durham YMCA. It was at the Y that she began shifting from programmatic roles to fundraising.

"Nonprofits depend heavily on donors, so I honed in on the business development aspect," she said.

Hardy was named development director of the American Heart Association's Triangle chapter in late 2024, and she calls it "a good long-term fit" for her.

"It was really important to me to find a well-established nonprofit that not only makes an impact but also supports its employees and invests in their growth," she said.

"Had I not gone to Wake Tech, I wouldn't be where I am now," she added.