GRAHAM — Lillia Kathryn Diez, an Alamance Community College student in Automotive Systems Technology, was among a small group of honorees recognized by the N.C. Community College System at an awards dinner on April 17.
More than 230 people gathered at the Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary to celebrate three students and five employees for community college excellence.
The Dallas Herring Achievement Award was given to Lillia Diez of Alamance Community College. The award, established by the N.C. Community College System, honors the late Dallas Herring, whose philosophy of “taking people where they are and carrying them as far as they can go” is the guiding principle of the community college system.
In her prepared remarks before the audience, Diez credited ACC for changing her life.
“When you’re the one living through hard times, it’s just life. I didn’t realize working hard to make a better life was something to be proud of until I started to share more of my story with other people, who found inspiration in my perseverance,” Diez said. “I feel incredibly fortunate not only to be here tonight, but to have made the choice to attend Alamance Community College.”
Diez enrolled at ACC while homeless and struggling daily to afford food. Despite tremendous odds, she persevered to earn her GED and excel in the college’s Automotive Systems Technology program.
Even before completing her studies, Diez was hired as the first female automotive technician at Cox Dodge in Burlington. While working toward her associate’s degree, Diez will concurrently qualify for the Automotive Service Excellence certification and master technician status. Diez’s career ambitions also include studying for a degree in fire protection as a second career option.
