Nancy Biggs found herself as a displaced worker in 2007 when the Ethan Allen furniture plant in Spruce Pine closed down. Since jobs were scarce Biggs, along with her husband JD, decided to return to college to seek a new career path. Biggs not only found a home at Mayland, but also financial help for her to continue toward a dream career.

After working over thirty-six years in different plants in the area, and being a part of three plant closures, Biggs found that if our faith is in God, when one door closes another door opens.

"It has been rough returning to college, taking care of my mother and two of my grandchildren, and also working part-time trying to make ends meet," said Biggs.

On registration day Biggs said she was nervous but also excited to be starting a new career. To her, the staff and faculty at Mayland went out of their way to give guidance and encouragement to help begin her college experience.

"I was surprised at the resources that were available to help the students, like Pell grants and scholarships which were donated by generous people in the community to help others receive an education," said Biggs.

Biggs found herself as the recipient of a scholarship to help ease the financial burden of college.

"Receiving the scholarship means more than just the money. It says that education means something to the ones who donated their money," said Biggs during a scholarship reception held at the college.

Scholarship recipients are chosen based on a number of factors--academic and personal achievement, financial need, as well as contributions and involvement in community organizations. The scholarships given through Mayland's Foundation are an honor to many students who cannot afford the rising cost of education today.

"It is wonderful to know that someone believed enough in me to see that I was determined to improve my life by coming back to school and to give me a boost along the way," said Biggs. "There's no better way to contribute to society than to help someone improve his or her knowledge and learn skills for a career."

According to Biggs, the money donors have given to Mayland has had a positive impact on the entire college and the community.

Biggs and her husband were featured in a documentary created by WRAL-TV out of Raleigh. The documentary profiled four rural counties in North Carolina from the mountains to the coast that had lost population since 2000 and struggled to survive economically.

Biggs and her family live in Yancey County.