Madeline Smith: A Persistent Journey

 

A mom of two, small business owner, military spouse, Ms. Health and Fitness HERS Cover Competition participant, and Architectural Technology student, Madeline has experienced several starts and stops along her educational journey. She first began college in 2004 at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, pursuing Architectural Design before stepping away due to personal and health challenges.

In the spring of 2019, with months of sobriety behind her and a renewed sense of purpose, Madeline enrolled at Sandhills Community College to continue working toward her goals. Like many SCC students, life required her to pause her education once again in 2020 to support her family during a deployment-related injury and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rather than seeing that pause as the end of her journey, Madeline leaned into what she had already gained at SCC. Using skills learned through the Architectural Technology program and guidance from faculty mentors, she launched a small business creating AutoCAD-generated floor plans for real estate estimates and marketing purposes. She has now been self-employed and actively connected to the local community for more than five years.

 

You don’t have to have everything figured out to move forward. Progress comes from showing up consistently, being willing to ask for help, and giving yourself permission to change speeds, change direction, and to try again.

 

Flash forward to Fall 2025, Madeline re-enrolled at Sandhills Community College with a clear focus on completing her Associate Degree in Architectural Technology and building confidence in AutoCAD and Revit, with the goal of contributing to thoughtful design in her local community.

“SCC has been a place where I’ve been able to rebuild confidence, challenge myself, and prove to myself that growth is always possible,” Madeline said. “Having access to education in a supportive, local environment has made continuing my recovery and pursuing my goals feel achievable instead of overwhelming.”

Madeline credits much of her success to the faculty at SCC who took the time to understand how she learns. She recalls the patience and dedication of Dr. Matthew Sheffield in particular, whose willingness to explain complex material in different ways helped her push through self-doubt and academic challenges, especially during remote learning at the height of the pandemic.

Now anticipating graduation in Fall 2026, Madeline plans to continue her education after SCC. She has applied to Dunwoody College of Technology’s NAAB-accredited Bachelor of Architecture program and hopes to pursue licensure through the Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL).

When asked what advice she would give other students navigating setbacks or uncertainty, Madeline keeps it simple:

“You don’t have to have everything figured out to move forward. Progress comes from showing up consistently, being willing to ask for help, and giving yourself permission to change speeds, change direction, and to try again.”

Her story reflects what Sandhills Community College represents for so many students—a place where education adapts to real life, persistence is encouraged, and growth is always possible.

 

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