A local college student was recently recognized for academic excellence, receiving the 2015 Academic Excellence Award at Beaufort County Community College.

Danielle Williams, of Blounts Creek, was chosen for the award, which is given annually at the school. Pursuing an associate in arts degree at BCCC, Williams plans to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work after graduating from BCCC, she said.

The award, offered annually to recognize and promote scholarship among the more than 750,000 students in the N.C. Community College System, according to a BCCC press release. Nominations are based on a grade-point-average of 3.5 or better and a student’s involvement on campus and in the community. Instructors within their academic divisions nominate the students, according to a BCCC press release.

Zachary Matthews, Williams’ mathematics instructor, spoke about his nomination of Williams for the award.

“Danielle Williams is an extremely dedicated and intelligent student,” Matthews said. “She actively participates in class and shows a real desire to learn. Each day, I see her working in the Mathematics Learning Lab for hours not just on my subject but her other math class as well. She is very bright, but she also puts in the time necessary to succeed.”

A graduate of Buena Regional High School in Buena, N.J., Williams volunteers with the Guardian Ad Litem Program, and, with husband, Bryan, is a foster parent to one child.

Williams said after her experience as a foster parent, as well as her volunteer work, she was drawn to social work.

“Two years ago, my husband and I became licensed foster parents,” she said. “Since then, we have fostered three children and have learned a great deal from each one. Through working with the amazing kids in foster care, I realized that I wanted to become a social worker.”

While at BCCC, Williams said she has enjoyed her sociology class, which has reinforced her career decision, and she has also discovered a love for mathematics thanks to her work in the college’s updated mathematics lab. She also currently has a 3.8 grade-point-average at BCCC.

Williams will be recognized at the upcoming Graduate Recognition Ceremony to be held on the BCCC campus in April.