Our Stories

Joanne Coley

Published December 10, 2024

Joanne Coley, 35, was a mid-level professional looking for the next best step in her career path when she decided to enroll at Prince George’s Community College. Unlike most students, she wasn’t seeking a degree or particular title; she sought purpose. She knew something was missing from her career, although she was working full-time and had already secured a bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

“I was at like a standstill in my life where I was really questioning what I wanted to do,” Coley said. “I knew I wanted to do communications, and I knew I wanted to pivot into the entertainment space.”

Coley holds a Bachelor of Communications from Kent State University and a Master of Communications/Public Relations from Southern New Hampshire University. She has taken several media courses at PGCC, which allowed her to meet professor Lou Holder at the College. Upon seeing Coley’s talents, Holder recommended her for a Sports Illustrated internship (SI). Since September 2024, Coley has been providing play-by-play updates for the Washington Commanders on the SI website. 

“He [professor Holder] was that person that God helped me put in my path to get me to where I needed to go,” Coley said. “I know this is just a stepping stone, but I am so grateful to professor Holder for giving me a chance and giving me that step to be able to reach the goals of getting into that entertainment or sports space.”

Coley has discovered a new career as a communications professional in the sports industry and is thoroughly enjoying or “loving” her internship. After her internship, she looks forward to joining the SI team full-time and receiving her official press credentials.

“I can only emphasize the education that I've gotten at PGCC and meeting people like professor Holder. It has really put me in a place to feel like I'm finally succeeding in life, and that's a lot at 35 right now. I had to come to grips and know that my path is just different.”

Read Coley’s writing for Sports Illustrated here.

Janaye Malone

Published October 4, 2024

Recent Prince George’s Community College culinary arts graduate, Janaye Malone, plans to get creative in combining her passions for food and hair services into a dual business model. Although those industries are not typically combined, she says, initially she may begin with two separate food trucks and eventually expand them into neighboring studios.

“You can get a plate or you can get your braids done. I'm known for both things because they always say I'm a jack of all trades,” Malone said. “I enjoy doing hair, cooking, and baking. I enjoy doing a lot of things.”

Malone was born in D.C. and raised in Prince George’s County. She attended Bowie High School before deciding to attend PGCC and was apprehensive about choosing a career path that did not begin with a traditional four-year university.

“It was very scary for me when you look at everybody else around you and they are guaranteed a job coming out of school,” Malone said. “I feel like when you don't go the traditional route, you have to work a little bit harder to get where you want to go.”

In the beginning, she experienced concern and anxiety about life after college when comparing her career prospects to her sister who is studying nursing. Although it was a tough decision, Malone chose to stick with culinary arts as a continuation of her high school studies.

“It's never a boring day in culinary arts,” she said. “My interest started off because I wanted to eat in class. Then, I felt like it was actually fun and I learned so much when it came down to baking and understanding cooking temperatures for the different foods.”

Malone’s favorite meal to cook is currently shrimp and grits or anything alfredo. She likes to blend American and Caribbean flavors, to honor her family roots from Grenada. She learned a lot from watching her mom and grandmother cook while growing up.

“From my grandma, I learned to have the flavor in there, but also to make sure you clean up as you go and keep your station clean,” she said. “From my mom, I learned how to make a dish your own, because my mom is quick to change a recipe up and make it a little bit different. She also taught me to taste as you go, which is awesome because that is something I also learned in school at PGCC.”

Malone admits to being hesitant about college, but attending PGCC eased her fears and doubts.

“I was never a school person, but the culinary experience at PGCC was actually a great experience,” she said. “The teachers are amazing if you need help with anything. The two and a half years I was in the program was probably the best two-and-a-half years that I have had in school.”

During Malone’s time at PGCC, she had the opportunity to intern at the University of Maryland. She says the next step in her career journey is to study business management and eventually obtain her cosmetology license. She aspires to be among the world’s top chefs and inspire students who choose a non-traditional career path.

“I want to be known for doing great work and great things,” she said. “I just want people to look at the journey of where I came from and know you don't have to go to a four-year university to do great things.”