NCTC alumni spotlight: Jennifer Shumate's 21-year path to a degree

GAINESVILLE, Texas — It took Jennifer Shumate 21 years to finish her associate degree at North Central Texas College. She would not trade a single one of them. Shumate, who graduated with an Associate of Arts in December 2021, is the latest alumna featured in NCTC's Alumni Spotlight series. One month after walking across the stage, she stepped into the role of President and CEO of the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce — a position she credits her degree with helping unlock. "It doesn't matter how long it takes, it just matters that you finish," Shumate said. Her NCTC journey began in 2000 at the Corinth campus with an Introduction to Sociology course she still remembers for its energy. She later took Earth Sciences for Non-Majors at the Gainesville campus, which she called her favorite class ever. Both courses reinforced something she carried through two decades of balancing life and coursework: learning can be fun. Shumate chose NCTC for its location and affordability, and she selected the Associate of Arts program in part because it required fewer math credits. She attended classes on both the Gainesville and Corinth campuses over the years as her schedule allowed. Her diploma now hangs on her office wall — her proudest accomplishment, she said, earned at 44 years old. As chamber president, Shumate draws on the critical thinking skills she developed through her coursework. She is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree from Texas State University, continuing the educational path she started at NCTC more than two decades ago. North Central Texas College serves students across Cooke County and the surrounding region with campuses in Gainesville, Corinth, Flower Mound, and Bowie. For information about academic programs and enrollment, visit nctc.edu.