Jordan Diggs, CCC’s First Goodnight Transfer Scholar

Cleveland Community College has a new reason to celebrate: Jordan Diggs has been named CCC’s first-ever Goodnight Transfer Scholar.

Diggs was selected as part of North Carolina State University’s Goodnight Transfer Scholars Program Transfer Class of 2028 and will begin at NC State this fall, where he plans to major in Chemical Engineering.

The Goodnight Scholarship is one of NC State’s premier scholarship programs. It supports North Carolina students from low- and middle-income families who are pursuing degrees in STEM or STEM education. For transfer students, the scholarship is valued at $24,000 per year and is renewable for up to three years.

But the Goodnight Scholarship is more than financial support. Goodnight Scholars also take part in a comprehensive student development program that includes mentorship, weekly programming, community service, travel opportunities, enrichment grants, and personal and professional development.

This year, NC State announced 100 new first-year Goodnight Scholars in the Class of 2029 and 60 new Goodnight Transfer Scholars in the Transfer Class of 2028. Diggs is one of those 60 transfer students selected from across North Carolina.

For Diggs, the moment he learned the news was one he will never forget.

“As I sat there eating lunch on a Thursday, my phone began to ring,” Diggs said. “It was a number I did not recognize, but I immediately answered. It was at that point that I was made aware that I was a recipient of NC State’s Goodnight Scholarship.”

And like any excited CCC student with big news, he did not keep it to himself for long.

“I finished my food as quickly as I could, got up and ran straight to Dr. Mack’s office to inform him of the amazing news,” Diggs said. “After that, I proceeded to run around campus telling everybody who had supported me along the way.”

That moment was the result of years of hard work, perseverance, and support from the CCC community.

“At that moment, it felt like all of my hard work during my time at Cleveland Community College had finally paid off and I would finally be able to continue my academic journey,” Diggs said.

Diggs’ path at CCC has been full of growth and opportunity. He first came to campus as a student-athlete. He leaves as much more.

“This journey sure has not been easy, and it definitely has not been conventional, but from my experience, that is what Cleveland Community College is all about,” Diggs said. “When I first arrived at CCC, it was as a student-athlete, and now as I leave, I do so as a student, coach, tutor, lab technician, maintenance technician, and integral part of the community around me.”

During his time at CCC, Diggs said he was given opportunities that helped him grow both personally and professionally.

“Through each opportunity I was able to learn the importance of commitment and dedication to serving a community and bettering myself,” he said.

Diggs also credits the faculty and staff at CCC for helping him reach this milestone.

“Receiving endless support from all of the faculty and staff, I never felt like I was alone in this process,” Diggs said.

He offered special thanks to Dr. Bruce Mack and Academic Affairs; Dr. Elzbieta Wysocka and the Science Department; Nicholas Inman and the Math Department; Jerry Hopper and Adrian Hatch with TRIO; Becky Donaldson and the ACE Lab staff; Mr. and Mrs. Philip Webber of the Jive Turkey Café; Carlos George and the maintenance team; and Head Men’s Basketball Coach Jabarr Adams and Assistant Coach Ricky Minard.

As he prepares for his next chapter at NC State, Diggs plans to pursue Chemical Engineering as a career. He also hopes to continue his involvement with basketball, the sport that first brought him to CCC, as a coach.

“The Cleveland Community College community will always hold a special place in my heart,” Diggs said. “I one day hope to return.”

Congratulations, Jordan! CCC is proud to celebrate this historic achievement and excited to see all that you accomplish at NC State.

Read NC State’s announcement of Goodnight Scholars.

Read Jordan’s Bio as one of the Goodnight Transfer Scholars.