As New River Community and Technical College celebrates Community College Month this April, the College proudly honors the success and achievements of its students, past and present.

A shining example of this impact is a local success story from one of New River CTC’s own graduates – Carson Dewese – who has gone on to make strides in the field of physical therapy.

After completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Physiology at West Virginia University, Carson, now a current full-time Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) at BodyWork’s, returned to her hometown of Beckley to pursue a career in physical therapy.

“I began to think physical therapy could be the right career path for me. Unfortunately, by the time I realized I wanted to pursue a career in Physical Therapy, I had missed the deadline to apply for DPT school at WVU, “Dewese explained. “I had made the decision to move back home to Beckley, West Virginia and take a ‘gap year’ when I came across the PTA program at New River CTC. I saw the PTA program as a more valuable opportunity in my hometown to learn more about physical therapy and solidify this career path.”

At New River CTC, Carson not only gained valuable hands-on experience in the physical therapy field but also contributed back to the program by mentoring the current cohort of students at the time. Faculty support, particularly from Dr. Strickland, Interim Dean of Allied Health, Nursing, and Natural Science at New River CTC, was key to her success. “Dr. Strickland has been a valuable resource in providing information about the University of Findlay, as she knew it was one of my career goals. If it was not for her, I would not have known about the bridge program.”

Today, Carson is pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy through the University of Findlay’s PTA-DPT bridge program, making significant strides toward her career goals while continuing to work full-time as a PTA. She emphasizes that success isn’t always a straight line, and community colleges can be a powerful resource.

“Every student is different, and not all paths to success are straight,” she said. “I encourage anyone considering their next steps to explore all paths and never overlook a resource in your own backyard, like a community college.”

Community colleges like New River CTC make a lasting impact by opening doors, empowering dreams, and preparing students for real-world success. From providing hands-on learning to offering personalized training and mentorship, New River CTC stands as a beacon of opportunity in our community. Stories like Carson’s remind us that community colleges are not just stepping stones—they are launching pads for meaningful careers and lifelong growth. New River CTC takes pride in the role they play in transforming lives and shaping a stronger, more educated West Virginia.

For more information about New River CTC and its programs, visit www.newriver.edu.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Mykah F. Ballard

Director of Communications

New River Community and Technical College

Phone: 304-929-6727