Employee Spotlight: Pamela Stewart

Pam Stewart, a self-professed Trekkie, seems to have brought the spirit of exploration and adaptability from her favorite sci-fi series to her professional life as an Application Analyst. The fact that her job title coincidentally includes the starship “Enterprise” adds a touch of serendipity to her role.

Pam will soon mark her 16th year as a member of CFCC IT Services. Over the years, she has taken on various roles within the department, including Computer Tech, IT Project Manager, ERP Administrator, and Enterprise Applications Administrator in her current position. She is proud to work with a superstar team, under the guidance of exceptional supervisors, and alongside fantastic co-workers.

Those fortunate enough to receive assistance from Pam on campus can vouch for her professionalism and expertise.

“Pamela is so very helpful, patient, smart, efficient, and just an all-around great person,” shares Meredith Merrill. “She never makes me feel rushed or dumb and always teaches and encourages me as she problem-solves. I love receiving help from her because I always learn a lot and am uplifted by spending time with her.”

Beyond her professional life, her most significant roles include being a devoted mother to her three precious children, a loving wife to her dear husband of 13 years, a caring sister, daughter, aunt, and a cherished friend.

Pam’s strong connection to Cape Fear Community College goes beyond her job title; it’s embedded in her heart. As a proud CFCC graduate, it’s evident that the institution holds a special place in her life.

Her journey has been marked by dealing with intriguing and challenging situations, where she’s offered technical support and served as a compassionate sounding board for those in need of understanding beyond the confines of technology. Pam Stewart has boldly ventured where no “Enterprise” Applications Analyst has gone before.

WHAT YEAR DID YOU START WORKING AT CFCC AND WHAT BROUGHT YOU HERE?

I started as a temp at CFCC on Monday, October 15, 2007, a day I always celebrate because it marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life. Breaking into IT after college had been incredibly difficult.

Despite having an awesome resume, top grades, and giving stellar interviews (according to the interviewers), for some reason I would still not be selected, time after time. Eventually, I gave up and decided to enjoy whatever God wanted for me and wherever God wanted me to be.

One day, out of the blue, one of my UNCW Professors called me at work, Douglas Kline, and asked if I would sit for an interview at CFCC. I was weary of the process, afraid to ask my manager to leave work (for another job interview), and unprepared mentally or in attire. He said, “Pam, just go.” So, I left work (I still went home and changed into my “interview” outfit).

I sat with Linda Boney and David Chappell for the interview. I was giving all the textbook answers, but about midway through I decided to try a different approach and be myself and totally honest. I told them “you are never going to find a better or harder worker than me because not only do I have an impeccable work ethic, I have something to prove.”

David just sat quietly and looked at me over his glasses. I had no idea what he was thinking, but I felt I had nothing to lose, so I went for it. They later told me that they decided to hire me as soon as I walked out the door.

I met my future husband, had children, learned a TON about IT, and made so many great friends from that time to this one. It was a life transforming moment and I will always be grateful to them for giving me a chance.

(Ironically, years later, Doug came to CFCC to ask me to speak at UNCW for Business Week. It was like I had come full circle.)

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK?

I love learning new things and technology is forever and rapidly changing. I LOVE helping people and being “of service.”

However, the #1 thing I love about my job is the people I work with. CFCC has some of the brightest, most dedicated, outstanding professionals that I have ever had the pleasure of working with. They come to work and give over 100% because they care about the students (from our smallest students at the Childcare Center to our Adult Learners in EWD). I have witnessed time and time again their passion for our students and the mission of this school. It serves as inspiration for me and always pushes me to raise my bar higher and higher when it comes to customer service (which is VERY important to me).

WHEN YOU’RE NOT WORKING, WHAT DO YOU DO?

I love spending time with my family! My entire focus when I am not at work is my family. Watching my children grow and listening to ALL the exciting moments in their lives (and there are so many). Visiting parks (water parks, trampoline parks, amusement parks, park parks), museums, libraries, nature reserves, the beaches, train rides in the mountains, zoos, unique restaurants and so on. I just LOVE introducing and experiencing new things with my family.

IF I have time left, I love reading and doing yoga.

WHO HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR EDUCATION AND/OR CAREER PATH?

My mother was a dedicated educator for 38 years, and my sister has been a dedicated Early Childhood teacher for several years. They have touched and changed so many young lives and I admire them greatly.

My family is college-educated, and we value education highly. I inherited my work ethic from them, but my drive and tenacity to always give my best is strongly influenced by the desire to be an example to my children and to make my family proud (because I am certainly proud of them!)

My specific career path, without a doubt, was influenced by my dad. He is a tech guy and when I was little, I would go to his office and sit on his lap while he worked in MS-DOS on his Commodore (I think that was the name of it). I was fascinated and made up my mind at the age of 5 that I was going to do that too!

Having a strong support system has also played a major role in my life. I am incredibly close to my family and my best friend. I feel very blessed to know what it feels like to be loved unconditionally. When you know that you are loved and supported no matter what, it gives you the courage to take risks, try new things, and even fail. This has given me the courage to step out on faith and do many things that I never would have done otherwise.

WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?

It’s hard to choose just one piece of advice that has changed my life. I want to pay tribute to the wonderful advice I have received from so many people but here is one core memory that stands out:

I used to walk around all the time with my head (physically) down. Not that I was particularly sad any given day, but it was something I just did. One day, in a very crowded hallway, I noticed this teacher whom I was ALWAYS intimidated by, staring at me from the door of her classroom. When I saw her walking towards me I almost took off running. I would have if it had not been so crowded and I wasn’t scared she would run after me.

She came up to me, took my face in her hands, lifted my head, and stared intensely into my eyes before she spoke. She said “Don’t you EVER walk around with your head down EVER again! Do you know who you are? NEVER again.”

I don’t know if it was part fear she would see me, part admiration, or part inspiration, but I have NEVER hung my head again. Not even on my lowest days. If I catch myself lowering my head, I straighten my back and lift my head high, even now! It became a part of who I am as a person. It was not just her words, but the unspoken communication of her stare and gesture. I took all her classes after that and Diane Emerson became a huge influence for me. Never underestimate the power of a teacher.

WHAT IS SOMETHING NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT YOU?

I am a HUGE Trekkie!! My husband and I both are! Lots of people are surprised by that.

I love to workout…hard. I run stairs, jump squats, sprints — the harder the better.

I have won awards for poetry and short stories. I also LOVE word games/apps (thanks to my mom)!

We are a CFCC family. I met my husband here, had my baby showers here, most of my family and children were/are all students here.

I try to always be a woman of my word. My goal is to be a woman of integrity and truth in all things, even if it is hard or means sacrifice.

DEGREES & CERTIFICATES

Bachelor’s of Science, with a concentration in Information Systems, UNCW
Associate of Arts, CFCC

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society