Katrina Knapp wanted a career in healthcare for years. “I’ve had a passion for the dental field ever since high school when I shadowed my dentist for more than 210 hours,” she says. “I knew this was the right path for me!”

When it came time for college, Katrina knew exactly where she wanted to go! “Wake Tech had everything I needed to achieve my career goals! Plus, the classes are affordable, I could live at home, and I was able to work.”

At Wake Tech, Katrina excelled in and out of the classroom. She completed more than three times the required dental assisting professional development hours, while maintaining an impressive GPA! She became a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) in 2014 and started working part-time as a Dental Assistant in Cary while finishing her degree. In 2015, Katrina graduated with an Associate in Arts (AA) degree and transferred to UNC Chapel Hill. There, she was voted vice-president of her class and won several awards, including the prestigious Koch Memorial Scholarship, which helps oral healthcare professionals pursue professional development activities. She received a certificate of appreciation from her classmates and the UNC School of Dentistry student body for her dedication to her profession and was awarded a scholarship from the Dental Foundation of NC.

These scholarships helped Katrina continue her studies at UNC, and she earned a Certificate in Dental Hygiene in 2017. She works at the same dental office in Cary – but now, instead of working as a dental assistant, she’s a full-time Registered Dental Hygienist.

Katrina is very grateful for Wake Tech and the boost it gave her. “Wake Tech was an incredible building block for me,” she says. “The dental assisting program helped me fine-tune my skills and become well-rounded. I wouldn’t be the hygienist I am today without the numerous opportunities provided by Wake Tech.”