Twenty-three New Hanover County employees have graduated from the county’s SERVE Professional Development Academy, according to a news release.

The academy is a two-year, professional development program for select New Hanover County employees, created in partnership with the University of North Carolina Wilmington's Swain Center, stated the release. 

"The program was established in 2014 to provide employees with leadership development, soft skills training, and organizational awareness to help with career growth and provide new opportunities within the county," officials said.

New Hanover County partners with the university, utilizing professors to teach each class, officials said.

The 2021 graduates are:

• Josh Barton, Health and Human Services’ Social Services
• Jessica Berardi, Finance
• Tiffany Bickel, Health and Human Services’ Social Services
• Melissa Brashier, Sheriff’s Office
• Susan Brown, Health and Human Services’ Public Health
• Lisa Gans, Health and Human Services’ Public Health
• Amber Garner, Health and Human Services’ Social Services
• Roscoe Harris, 911 Communications
• Mea Hoffman, Health and Human Services’ Public Health
• Suzanne Keenan, Building Safety
• Diane Morgan, Legal & Risk Management
• Kate Oelslager, Communications & Outreach
• Pamela Penza, Public Library
• Alicia Pickett, Health and Human Services’ Public Health
• Jodi Rich, Parks & Gardens
• Dana Rhodes, Health and Human Services’ Social Services
• Maria Robinson, Health and Human Services’ Social Services
• Kristyn Saroff, Public Library
• Tomeka Seabrook, Tax
• Jennifer Stancil, Legal & Risk Management
• David Stone, Building Safety
• Michael Stophel, Fire Rescue
• Bonita Wright, Health and Human Services’ Public Health