Nikole Mills: Leading with Excellence, Inspiring Through Action.

Carteret Community College proudly announces that Nikole Mills, an exceptional student in the Respiratory Therapy program, has been named the college’s recipient of the 2025 Academic Excellence Award—one of the most prestigious honors given by the North Carolina Community College System.

Each year, one student from every North Carolina community college is selected to receive the award based on academic achievement, leadership, and community service. Eligible students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25, be enrolled in a curriculum degree program, and have completed at least 12 semester hours. Mills currently holds an impressive 3.7 GPA, a testament to her dedication and hard work.

She will be honored during the NC Community Colleges Awards Dinner and Celebration on April 3 at The Umstead Hotel in Cary, where she will receive a medal and plaque presented by the North Carolina Community Colleges Foundation.

Mills is currently serving as President of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Beta Delta Pi Chapter. At the 2025 PTK Regional Conference, she received the Carolina Hall of Honor Award and was named a Distinguished Chapter Officer, recognizing her outstanding commitment to academic excellence and student engagement. She previously served as Vice President of the chapter and received a Distinguished Chapter Officer Honorable Mention in 2024. Under her leadership, the chapter earned Five-Star Chapter status and received an Officer Team Honorable Mention.

In addition to PTK, Mills holds leadership roles in multiple student organizations:

• Sigma Kappa Delta (National English Honor Society) – Vice President, 2023
• Respiratory Care Club – President, 2023–2025
• Students Helping Students – Co-founder and Vice President, 2023–2024

Mills is known for her energy and passion for serving others. On campus, she organizes and participates in numerous events, including beach cleanups, blood drives, holiday gift donations, fundraisers, awareness walks, and campus festivals. She played a key role in coordinating collaborative yard sales to raise funds for PTK and the Respiratory Care Club to attend conferences.

She also actively volunteers in the community, including:

• The Havelock Chili Festival
• Havelock Special Olympics
• “Night to Shine” prom for individuals with special needs at Cape Carteret Baptist Church (2022–2024)

Mills holds certifications in OSHA Healthcare, Basic Life Support (AHA), Neonatal Resuscitation (AAP), and Microsoft Office programs. She earned her Certified Nursing Certificate from Carteret CC in 2022 and currently works as a licensed Respiratory Care Assistant at Onslow Memorial Hospital.

In 2024, she was awarded the Tom Morris Scholarship, one of only four scholarships presented annually by the North Carolina Association for Respiratory Care Educators (NCARE). She also represented the college at the 2024 Respiratory Conference in Asheville, where she helped lead her team to a second-place finish in the state Sputum Bowl competition.

To spotlight the community college experience, Mills created a TikTok series titled “Nikole’s College Chronicles,” where she shares behind-the-scenes moments from campus life, club events, and personal milestones in the Respiratory Therapy program. Her goal is to raise awareness of the vibrant student life and opportunities available at Carteret Community College.

Dr. Jeff Cox, President of the NC Community College System, praised the award recipients: “The Academic Excellence Award represents the very best of our students. They have excelled in the classroom and are preparing to make a meaningful impact in their communities. Their achievements are a testament to the power of North Carolina’s community colleges in transforming lives and opening doors to opportunity.”

Carteret Community College is proud to recognize Nikole Mills for her academic achievements, outstanding leadership, and unwavering commitment to service. Her journey continues to inspire peers and elevate the power of community college education.