Brandy Main of Suffolk is one of only 12 students accepted into Old Dominion University’s cytotechnology program for fall 2016.

Cytotechnology trains students to be highly skilled in the microscopic study of cells.

“I have already been told that it will take a year and a half to complete the cytotechnology program,” said Main. “After my journey with ODU is over, I will attend North Carolina State University to get a master’s degree and become a pathologist.”

Main has been offered honor classes at ODU and has already been accepted to NCSU.

Main graduated from Paul D. Camp Community College May 13 with an associate degree in science, an associate degree in general studies, and a certificate in general education. She also has earned career studies certificates in nurse aide, phlebotomy and pre-nursing at PDCCC.

The receptionist at the college’s workforce development center in Franklin has been selected for two consecutive years as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s All-Virginia Academic Team. She currently serves as the PTK Omega Zeta Chapter president at PDCCC, and has carried the chapter from two-star to a five-star status. She also received a certificate from Coca-Cola recognizing her PTK accomplishments. She formerly was employed in the financial aid office on the Hobbs Suffolk Campus as a work-study student.

Main is active in Student Support Services, where she is a tutor for practical reasoning. “I teach other students the core subjects of college which are English, math, history and critical thinking,” she said.

She is also a member of the Student Government Association and Faith Unleashed in Everyday Life Bible study club and serves as a PDCCC Presidential Student Ambassador. She was selected to represent the college at the Virginia General Assembly and to attend the VCCS Student Leadership Conference. During graduation, she gave brief remarks before announcing the PTK honor graduates.

Her volunteer work includes Peanut Fest parade and booth, Suffolk Christmas parade, American Red Cross blood drives, Clean Rivers Day, and the PDCCC annual golf tournament.

Main, a member of CrossPointe Baptist Church, credits her success with the support from her extended family and friends.

“Through this incredible journey, every time I thought that I just couldn’t make it, they would hold me up and give me strength, and without them and God, I would not have been this successful.”

She is also grateful to her mentor, Marie Linton, financial aid officer on the Hobbs Suffolk Campus. “She introduced me to all the important people at PDCCC who have changed my life,” Main said.