A First, But Not the Last: Hayden’s Trailblazing Graduation

In the heart of Cheraw, South Carolina, where tradition often shapes expectation, Hayden Hubbard is challenging stereotypes one massage at a time. As the first male graduate of Northeastern Technical College’s (NETC) massage therapy program, Hayden has not only found his calling, but he is determined to become the change he once searched for.

“I’ve always wanted to help people feel better and get back to doing what they love,” Hayden says. “Massage therapy was the fastest way to get to work and start making a difference.”

While speed was a factor, Hayden’s decision to pursue massage therapy went far deeper. Like many who have suffered through ineffective treatments, Hayden saw a gap in the field, particularly when it came to deep tissue work. “I’ve had injuries where lighter massages didn’t help. I knew there were others like me, especially athletes, who needed deeper pressure to heal faster.”

That realization inspired him to take an unconventional path, especially for a man in a field that, in this area, is largely female dominated. “At first, I didn’t think people would even come to me,” he recalls. “But once I got started, the support from classmates and clients was incredible.”

Hayden's decision to enroll at NETC was rooted in both practicality and principle. “It was local, convenient, and I liked the idea of supporting a small community college,” he explains. That decision led to much more than just certification. It led to camaraderie, mentorship, and life-changing experiences.

From his first day of clinicals, Hayden knew he was in the right place. “That first time I helped someone feel relief from pain, I knew this was it. That feeling is what keeps me going.”

Hayden’s passion for healing grew alongside his respect for the program and its structure. While many might assume massage therapy is all about relaxation, Hayden sets the record straight. “People think it's all fluff, but the coursework was tough. We learn anatomy, diseases, medicine. It’s on par with nursing. We just don’t go as deep on medications.”

He credits his instructor, Janet, for pushing him to meet those challenges head-on. “She’s tough, but she’s been in the field for over 20 years. Everything she taught us was on the certification tests. She prepared us for real work.”

Real work is exactly what Hayden is doing now. Fresh off a photo shoot for his new job at L&L Wellness Lounge, he’s already building a reputation for helping high school athletes recover from sports injuries. But his goals extend beyond Cheraw.

“My dream is to work in sports massage, maybe with Clemson or even the Carolina Panthers,” he says. “But for now, I’m getting great experience helping people here.”

What stands out most about Hayden isn’t just his strength or skill, it’s his humility. He admits the physical demands surprised him. “I didn’t know how out of shape I was until I started! But once you get going, it gets easier.”

His message to other men considering the field is clear: “Just do it. We need more men in massage therapy. It’s a career that lets you make a real difference.”

Hayden’s journey came full circle when he graduated alongside his sister, who earned her LPN through NETC. “We sat right in front of each other at graduation,” he says with a smile. “It’s probably the first and only time we’ll get to graduate together.”

Beyond his technical skills, Hayden found something unexpected at NETC: lifelong friendships. “There were only eight of us in the class, but we were close. We still text every day. We had lunch together, studied together, shared our struggles and victories.”

In many ways, Hayden Hubbard represents the future of massage therapy in the South. A future that’s inclusive, driven, and deeply rooted in the desire to serve others. With healing hands and an open heart, he’s not just changing lives. He’s redefining what’s possible.

Ready to Make It Happen? If Hayden’s story sparked something in you, don’t wait. Join us at NETC’s upcoming Massage Therapy Orientation Session. We’ll be at the Cheraw campus on July 22 at 10 a.m. and at the Marlboro County campus on July 22 at 6 p.m. This is your moment to explore a career where you can truly make a difference, just like Hayden. Meet the instructors, tour the space, and see how fast you can turn passion into purpose. The path is here. The time is now. Make it happen.

NETC Leaders Share Vision for AI in Education at 2025 PASCAL Conference

Northeastern Technical College (NETC) continues to lead the way in educational innovation. Jessica Howington, Derk Riechers and Ronnie Stafford were honored to present at the 2025 PASCAL (Partnership Among South Carolina Academic Libraries) Member Conference, sharing their insights during a session titled “AI Harvest: Cultivating Student Literacy and Education at Rural Community Colleges.”

The presentation drew a full room of educators, librarians, and academic leaders from across the state, highlighting how NETC is harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to support student success, particularly in rural communities.

Their session explored practical ways AI can be integrated into the classroom, campus services, and community outreach efforts. The goal, they emphasized, is to equip students with the tools and confidence to navigate a rapidly changing digital world.

The conference, hosted by PASCAL, a statewide consortium of academic libraries, brings together higher education professionals to collaborate on expanding access to high-quality educational resources. Through shared services like a unified library system and cooperative e-resource licensing, PASCAL helps institutions like NETC deliver greater value to students.

Howington, Riechers, and Stafford's' message was clear: when used thoughtfully and ethically, AI has the potential to bridge educational gaps, strengthen communities, and uplift the next generation of leaders.

NETC remains committed to exploring emerging technologies that support student learning and success while maintaining the college’s mission to serve and empower its local communities.

Governor’s School GoSciTech Camp at NETC

Northeastern Technical College (NETC) proudly welcomed rising 6th through 8th graders to its Cheraw campus for the Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM) STEM Camp from June 9 to 12, 2025. This four-day immersive experience focused on strengthening students' skills in science, technology, engineering, and math through engaging, hands-on activities.

Each day from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., students explored exciting topics like Game Design and Human Biology, guided by GSSM instructors and local STEM professionals. Lessons combined real-world application with creative problem-solving, sparking curiosity and building confidence in the next generation of innovators.

On Wednesday, June 11, students toured the NETC campus, getting a closer look at the college’s learning spaces and envisioning their future in higher education. The camp wrapped up on Thursday with a Closing Showcase, where students presented their projects to proud families, peers, and faculty.

NETC was thrilled to host such bright young minds and is committed to continuing its partnership with GSSM to bring even more educational opportunities to youth in our region.

To learn more about NETC’s youth programs and partnerships, visit www.netc.edu. 🎮💡 We had a blast watching these future trailblazers dive into STEM and bring their ideas to life!

Derk Riechers of Northeastern Technical Community College Selected for the Aspen Institute’s Rising Presidents Fellowship

We’re proud to share that Derk Riechers has been selected as one of 40 rising community college leaders to join the Aspen Institute’s Rising Presidents Fellowship. Fellows are chosen for their strong commitment to student success and their proven ability to lead meaningful change.

Over the next year, Derk Riechers will collaborate with national experts and peer leaders to strengthen leadership skills and explore new strategies to support Northeastern Technical Community College and our exceptional students. Learn more: as.pn/RPF-C10

NETC Male Athlete of the Month - Ben Milligan

Ben Milligan is a senior two-sport athlete at Marlboro Academy.

Marlboro Academy’s Ben Milligan Named “NETC” Male Student Athlete of the Month

Bennettsville — Ben Milligan is a senior two-sport athlete at Marlboro Academy, where he plays baseball and basketball. Of the two, baseball is his favorite sport, and he has played that since he was three years old.

After his high school career, he is looking forward to playing baseball in college as he has signed to play for Wingate University. At Marlboro Academy, he is a four-year recipient of All-Region and All-State honors in baseball plus earned All-State twice and All-Region three times for his basketball play. On the court, Milligan attained status in the 1,000-career points club. On the diamond, he is a career 0.400 hitter.

In the classroom he carries a 5.2 GPA, while maintaining his online course load, and participating in sports.

For all his athletic and academic accomplishments, Milligan has been chosen the “NETC” Male Student Athlete of the Month.”

This honor is bestowed through a partnership between the Northeastern Technical College and “The High School Sports Report” with the publication communicating with athletic directors at high schools in the counties of Dillon, Marlboro, and Chesterfield, where NETC serves the needs of high school students seeking to earn dual credits in various subjects that can be transferred to colleges after a student’s high school graduation.

The NETC is currently offering over 44 online dual credit courses for the 2024-25 school year to students in the three counties they serve.

Milligan is currently enrolled in dual credit online courses offered by NETC and will has earned enough credits to give him a good head start on his first-year college coursework. At Wingate, he plans to major in finance and make that a career.

By taking the online courses through the NETC, Milligan says, “the heavy workload has helped me stay on top of my work. It helps make sure I have good time management.” Playing two sports, attending high school, and completing online coursework, helped me in sports and in academics. It “helps me stay fit and versatile playing multiple positions” which is the crossroads of being a student athlete. The key he says, I make a calendar and stick to it.”

Milligan said while he enjoyed basketball, baseball is his favorite sport. The most cherished memory is from this year. “My senior year, we made the semi-finals in basketball and baseball.”

NETC Female Athlete of the Month - Kate Leslie

Marlboro Academy’s rising senior Kate Leslie.

Marlboro Academy’s Kate Leslie Named “NETC” Female Student Athlete of the Month

Bennettsville — Kate Leslie is a rising senior student athlete at Marlboro Academy, where she plays softball. She was on the Dragon’s 2025 softball team that went deep into the SCISA playoffs and is looking forward to her senior year and continuing to take NETC online classes to help prepare for college.

Leslie said she enjoys softball as her favorite sport. “Softball is my favorite because I’ve grown up around and played [it] since the first grade.” Her sophomore and junior seasons, she earned All-Region and All-State honors playing third base and posting a SCISA AA Region 1 leading 0.588 Batting Average and 0.647 Slugging Percentage. She combined an On Base Percentage of 0.696 and drove in 7 RBIs for the season.

In the classroom she carries a 5.195 GPA, and she says that after high school she plans to USC where she will major in marketing with an eye for a career in sports marketing or management. As for next level play, she is interested in continuing to play softball, “possibly at the club level.”

For all her athletic and academic accomplishments, Leslie has been chosen the “NETC” Female Student Athlete of the Month.”

The NETC is currently offering over 44 online dual credit courses for the 2024-25 school year to students in the three counties they serve.

Currently, Leslie is enrolled in dual credit online courses offered by NETC. She already completed many basic requirements for freshman year and has taken key classes for her nursing major like English, Spanish 101 and Spanish 1020, plus Music Appreciation. Leslie looks forward to college and a marketing career.

When asked about what NETC did to help her, Leslie said taking classes “prepared me for higher level academics, while helping my improve my time management skills.”

Her overall opinion of dual enrollment and mixing high school with college level work was positive. , it was good, because it allowed me to participate in college level classes while being active in high school.”

As a high school student, playing spring sports, and enrolled in the NETC online classes, when asked about time management, Leslie had this to say. At the beginning of each week, I make a schedule based on all my assignments due, both NETC and high school, as well as extracurricular activities to make time for everything.”

Brock recalled her favorite time playing softball was this softball season. “Making it to the semi-finals in softball this season. It was very special because our softball team hasn’t made it that far in years.

Grant-Funded Support That Lets You Focus on Earning Your Degree

Affordable Childcare for Student Success:

CCAMPIS Program Helps NETC Students Stay on Track

Parents who are new, returning, or currently enrolled at Northeastern Technical College (NETC) may qualify for financial assistance to help cover the cost of daycare through the Childcare Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program.

CCAMPIS is a federal grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education that helps student-parents stay in school by providing childcare support based on household income and family size. Eligibility is determined using a sliding scale and is prioritized on a first come, first served basis.

To qualify, students must:

Be Pell Grant eligible
Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA
Be enrolled in courses for the full semester
Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online at www.studentaid.gov or through NETC’s Financial Aid Office

Once financial aid status is confirmed, students can visit the NETC Enrollment Center to complete a CCAMPIS application and select an approved daycare provider.

As part of the program, participants are required to:

Complete three hours of volunteer service
Attend two educational workshops
Participate in an annual student and post graduate survey

CCAMPIS is designed to remove barriers for student-parents, making it easier to complete a certificate or degree while securing quality childcare. Take the first step toward your future today.

Click Here To Learn More!

Dates To Save

Event: Health Fair

📅 Date: June 24

🕐 Time: 1:00PM – 4:00PM

📍 Location: Pageland

Event: Esports Camp – Middle School

📅 Date: July 14 – 16

🕒 Time: Not specified

📍 Location: Cheraw

Event: Esports Camp – High School

📅 Date: July 21 – 23

🕒 Time: Not specified

📍 Location: Cheraw

Event: Fall Massage Orientation

📅 Date: July 22

🕘 Time: 10:00AM

📍 Location: Cheraw (Room 542)

Event: Fall Massage Orientation

📅 Date: July 22

🕕 Time: 6:00PM

📍 Location: Bennettsville (Room 207-208)

Event: Summer Commencement

📅 Date: August 7

🕕 Time: 6:00PM

📍 Location: 1738 Hwy 301 North Dillon, SC 29536

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