Tyneisha West
Tyneisha West graduated from Fayetteville Technical Community College on May 16, 2025, with associate degrees in Medical Office Professional and Medical Billing, Coding, and Auditing. West dropped out of high school at 14 but returned to school as an adult to earn her high school diploma and two college degrees. She is a 41-year-old native of Fayetteville.
“I’m a first-time college student, getting my life on the right track. I finally got my high school diploma and went to college, and I owe this all to my parents.
“I ran away at 14, and I tell a lot of young people that just because you make mistakes, it doesn’t mean you can’t start over. Just because you dropped out doesn’t mean that’s the end of the world. It’s up to you to snatch your life back, so I made it my commitment to snatch my life back.
“When I had my first child at the age of 30, I decided my brothers accomplished and achieved a lot of stuff, and I felt like I wanted to accomplish something and achieve a lot of stuff for my parents. So I just committed myself to going back to school. The first thing I did was get a place for me and my child. I went back to school, got a good job, and set a better example for him.
“I made a vision board; I set goals. It took a few years, but at 33, I got my driver license. At 35, I got my own place. I got my high school diploma from Miller-Motte College. My mom came here to FTCC years ago, so she encouraged me to come here. I signed up, and I took the 2-year road right on out. I have perseverance, and I just kept telling myself I can do it.
“Some people graduate high school, and they walk across the stage. This is my first stage experience. I tell everybody to be encouraged. No matter how old you are, no matter where you came from, no matter what your past is, if you tell yourself you can do it, have self-love and self-confidence, you can do it.”
