At 41, Mitchiner is juggling a 30-hour academic schedule at Johnston Community College - classes in Spanish interpreting, heating and air conditioning technology, and his prerequisites for nursing.

On top of the academics, Mitchiner is also a Student Ambassador, a member of the Rotaract service club and the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. He just recently received the college's Academic Excellence Award, presented to JCC's outstanding student.

"I just like to learn, and I've always felt that knowledge is power," said Mitchiner, a Garner resident. "People can take your money and your freedom, but they can never take the knowledge that's in your head."

Mitchiner came to JCC in 2009 seeking classes that would lead him to a nursing career. A certified arborist for 20 years, Mitchiner was ready to apply his biology knowledge to humans instead of trees.

Mitchiner is also bilingual and soon realized that an associate's degree in community Spanish interpreting would add to his talents as a registered nurse.

Lead instructor Jessica Rieger nominated Mitchiner for the outstanding-student honor based on his drive and determination.

"Rusty is a model student," Rieger said. "He never procrastinates and always goes above and beyond in his courses by seeking out additional learning opportunities for classmates and himself. Rusty always assists his fellow classmates with their studies and participates in any and all extracurricular activities offered through the college."

"It's very humbling," Mitchiner said of his selection. "To be chosen from all these students, it's a pretty big responsibility."

Mitchiner said he is extremely grateful for his Student Ambassador scholarship and the relationships he has built with college supporters through the JCC Foundation.

"When you participate in fundraising events like Dollars for Scholars and the golf tournament as a Student Ambassador, you get to interact with donors who place an important value on education," Mitchiner said. "It's a very good feeling to know that you are a part of something so special."

Mitchiner said service in the U.S. Navy instilled in him a strong discipline for success. As for his diverse academic schedule, that's a credit to the openness of community colleges, he said.

"I think the community college system as a whole is a great thing," said Mitchiner, who will graduate in May with two associate's degrees. "I have been so impressed with Johnston Community College. I've always said you get out of something as much as you put into it. I've put a lot into my education, and I've definitely gotten a lot out of it."