About

Right At Home

When National College Vice President Lenora Downing (left) needed to hire a new executive assistant five years ago, she knew what a vital position it was to fill. After all, she had begun her own career at National College nearly 20 years before in the same role, as executive assistant to College President Frank Longaker.

She hired–of course–a National College graduate, who had already proven herself in the workforce. That’s how Rebecca Stimeling (right) returned to her alma mater more than a decade after her own graduation from the Roanoke Valley Campus, and today almost anyone working at National will tell you that Rebecca is one of those unsung heroes behind the scenes that everyone seems to have something nice to say about!

“I had a lot of really good teachers”

“It sounds cliché, but Rebecca really is my right arm,” says Lenora. “I depend on her so much; she’s always there when I need something, and without her support my job would be so much more difficult.”

Others are quick to agree. “I really enjoy working with Rebecca,” says Jenny Adkins, Executive Assistant to Mr. Longaker. “Rebecca is very capable, does her job well, and is always so willing to help others. National College should be very proud to recognize Rebecca as a graduate.

For her part, Rebecca is proud to work at her alma mater. “I had a lot of really good teachers,” she says, adding, “I was able to complete my degree well within two years.” After attending a career fair at the campus the spring before her graduation, Rebecca met a recruiter for Anthem, and “within a week of graduating, I started working there, and was there for 12 years,” Rebecca explains.

Returning to work at National has been an eye-opening experience for her as well, as she notes that, as a student, she really didn’t have any contact with the senior college administration. Now she not only sees all the work that goes into running a college that serves more than 10,000 students annually, she’s a vital part of the process herself!