Melisa ?Joey? Bryant is a college professor at Forsyth Technical Community College. With over 35 years of experience in Information Technology, including 15 years in higher education, I've had the privilege of contributing to IT in various capacities. After a successful stint in consulting and running my own company, I transitioned to higher education to teach and mentor the next generation of IT leaders. Currently, I'm pursuing an EdD at North Carolina State University in the Community College Leadership program, focusing on researching technology access for students. As a first-generation college student, I'm deeply passionate about education, and my motto is 'never stop learning.' Throughout my career, I've continuously enriched my knowledge by taking leadership, management, and technology courses. I'm proud to lead Forsyth Technical Community College?s first Artificial Intelligence program, a significant milestone in our institution's history. Under my leadership, Forsyth Tech achieved the esteemed status of being a SAS Tier 1 Academy, making us one of the first community colleges in the nation to earn this designation. In addition to my academic pursuits and program leadership, I've been actively involved in managing programs related to Data Analytics, DevOps, Web Development, Project Management and Computer Application Development and Design. My academic affiliations with industry giants like Google, Cisco, Apple, SAS, and Microsoft further strengthen these responsibilities. I'm excited about the future of education and look forward to opportunities to move into higher administration within the NC Community College system, contributing to the evolution of education in the ever-changing landscape.