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CFCC student makes full circle journey

Ashley Wells

Wilmington, NC – From student to instructor, Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) alum Ashley Wells has come full circle, returning to her alma mater as a Science Lab Technician. Wells, a Wilmington native, and Laney High School graduate, began her educational journey at CFCC in the Marine Technology program. She sought to expand her skill set and learned about the Chemical Technology program through a friend.

“I was mainly curious about the [Chemical Technology] program at first,” shared Wells. “I’d only ever taken a high school chemistry course before, but I was hopeful that gaining new technical skills would help me find a career.”

Enrolling in the Chemical Technology program in the fall of 2020, she immersed herself in coursework. Wells gained hands-on experience through a work-based learning internship with Quality Chemical Laboratories (QCL), a local Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) contract lab. Under the guidance of experienced professionals, she received training in procedures such as High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and creating standing operating procedures.

Wells graduated from the Chemical Technology program in May 2022 and soon began working as a chemist at QCL. There, she performed tests like ID tests, Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC), and pH determinations to ensure the quality and safety of pharmaceutical materials. This position helped her gain valuable hands-on expertise that she will now bring to her students.

Reflecting on her time as a student, Wells was inspired by Kim Bufkin, a Science Lab Technician at CFCC. “Kim showed me how crucial lab technicians are to the effectiveness of a lab. When a similar position became available at CFCC, it felt like fate. I knew it would challenge me to grow while allowing me to give back to the college that gave so much to me.”

In December 2024, Wells joined CFCC as a Science Lab Technician, a role that allows her to support faculty and inspire students by applying her education and professional experience.

“I’m just over a month into this role, but it’s already been so rewarding,” she said.

For more information about CFCC’s Chemical Technology program, visit cfcc.edu/chemical-technology/ .

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