Roane State Community College

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2025 Winner: Micaela Paynter

Micaela Paynter was selected as the Roane State President's Award winner for the 2024-2025 academic year. Her record of achievement was already stellar, having also received the Outstanding Freshman Award for 2023-2024.

Paynter studied biology at Roane State and received an associate of science. She learned she had been selected to receive the President’s Award, the college's highest student honor, in the spring of 2025 at Academic Awards Night. She called the nomination and the award itself an incredible honor.

“To me, it means that the people whom I absolutely revere thought I was worthy of such an award,” Paynter explained. “It is also something that really helped me realize I have done a good job. Sure, I have absolutely stumbled many times through college, but it is always a treat to know that those you admire find you to be worthy of something so exemplary.”

As part of the recognition, Paynter was chosen to speak to the graduating class this past May during commencement ceremonies. She pulled from her own experiences to challenge her peers to innovate, lead, and dream.

“What you’ve achieved is more than a diploma or a degree,” Paynter said as she addressed her fellow graduates. “It’s a symbol of every step you've taken, every setback you overcame, and every time you kept showing up even when every fiber of your being told you to give up.”

“You pushed through, you stayed with it,” she continued. “And now, you're walking out of here with grit, with fire, and with a future that’s yours for the taking. And here’s the best part: this is just the beginning.”

Paynter credits Roane State for shaping her journey in many ways. She noted student clubs and groups, such as Phi Theta Kappa, were wonderful ways to meet people and get involved with helping the community. Paynter was even chosen to serve as Tennessee’s regional president for Phi Theta Kappa.

Additionally, she credits caring faculty members who are invested in student success as one of the many factors that helped her achieve her goals.

“Each one always went above and beyond to help me with anything,” Paynter said. “They never made me feel bad for getting anything wrong. Instead, they found ways that my brain could comprehend what it was that they were trying to teach me.”

The opportunity to explore other cultures also had a major impact on Paynter during her time at Roane State. She participated in two study abroad programs, which allowed her to travel to the Cayman Islands for marine biology research as well as to Costa Rica and Panama.

“I met one of my best friends during this program and improved my Spanish skills,” Paynter added. “I learned invaluable things about culture, languages, and relationships from the college students in Costa Rica that I hope I will always remember. This school has truly enriched my life.”

Paynter is headed to the University of Tennessee Knoxville this fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in microbiology. She plans to explore internship and study abroad opportunities and join clubs on campus.

In addition to schoolwork, she hopes to find plenty of time to travel and learn new languages. Paynter says her ultimate professional goal is to work in a lab one day, possibly a crime lab, but she is excited to see where life takes her.

To watch the 2025 Commencement Ceremonies where Paynter gave her speech to fellow graduates, visit youtube.com/roanestatecc.