John Cate, Class of 2019 

Teaching Assistant / PhD student in the Biological & Agricultural dept. at Texas A&M University.

“I was naturally always drawn to the field of Engineering and STEM courses. Frost ISD, my small rural school, did not offer calculus at the district level, but Navarro College did. Fortunately, this relationship sparked my interest in pursuing an Associate Degree through NC during my high school years. I appreciate the journey and opportunities that Navarro College has provided, as this experience, with these professors, it has opened a world of discovery and future plans that are limitless. I cannot wait to discover what comes next in my journey and look forward to the incredible path that takes me there. Thank you Navarro College.”

In 2019, while John was still a high school student at Frost ISD, he graduated from Navarro College with honors, having received his Associate of Science degree in General Studies (4.0 GPA). He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Biolgoical and Agricultural Engineering at Texas A&M University in 2022 and is now pursing his doctorate degree in Biological and Agricultural Engineering, also at Texas A&M.

At his alma mater, he works as a teaching assistant while he continues to work on his PhD. He is a member of several Texas A&M University societies, including the Craig and Galen Brown Honors Engineering and ASABE (American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers). He has received outstanding honors and awards during his time at Texas A&M University. 

HONORS & AWARDS

April 2023 - Outstanding PhD Student in Biological and Agricultural Engineering (Texas A&M University)

April 2022 - Outstanding Senior in Biological and Agricultural Engineering (Texas A&M University)

April 2022 - College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Senior Merit Award (Texas A&M University)

Last updated: 07/12/2023

Christian Tambe, Class of 2009

Test R&D Engineer at Intel Corporation

"My older brother, William, paved the way for my coming to Navarro College. While in Douala, Cameroon, he was looking on the internet for an affordable community college in the U.S. where he could pursue higher education in electrical engineering. I was still in high school in Cameroon when my brother completed his courses in Navarro College. As things went very well for him in Navarro, I decided to start college in the U.S. from NC too after graduating from high school in Cameroon.”

FAVORITE TEACHER AT NAVARRO COLLEGE

Ms. Lisa Dillman, Biology Professor

After Christian received his Associates degree at Navarro College, he transferred to Texas A&M and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering in 2014. He earned a Master's of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Prairie View A&M University in 2017. He has been employed with the Intel Corporation (Hillsboro, Oregon) as a Test R&D Engineer for six years.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE?

“A community college is the best institution to find where you really want to have a career in. I started in NC with pre-med major. I found out in my first year in that I was not enjoying pre-med courses (especially organic chemistry). So I decided to switch to engineering as I was happier with engineering classes such as calculus. A community college such NC made it easier and less expensive to make the change that I did not regret.”

Last updated: 07/12/2023