Student News
“Roll with the punches. Don’t give up. Don’t let them knock you down”. For Tiffany Whittington, these words are more than a mantra, they are a lived experience.
In May 2025, life-long learner, advocate, mother and entrepreneur Tiffany Whittington walked across the stage with her two-year-old son. Graduating from Forsyth Tech with an associate’s degree in business administration represented the culmination of years of hard work. Tiffany started her associates degree in 2023 when her son was two months old, setting him up in a bouncer while she did classwork. Tiffany is now completing a second associate’s degree in accounting at Forsyth Tech and hopes to be done by Fall 2026. These days her son sits beside her using his tiny toy computer while she studies.
Tiffany’s story is one of hope and strength. Born and raised in Winston-Salem, Tiffany’s path to higher education was not a straight line. After struggling with addiction, she was incarcerated in 2019, and later completed three months of house arrest, followed by 18 months of probation. During this period, Tiffany committed herself to recovery through a 12-step program which helped her take responsibility for her choices, rebuild her life and move forward. Reentering society after incarceration came with significant challenges. Tiffany encountered barriers that made stability difficult, but rather than allowing those setbacks to define her future, she chose to create her own opportunities.
In February 2021, Tiffany and her husband opened DTS Tire Repair in Forsyth County. In July 2025, they relocated the business to Davidson County, continuing to grow. Tiffany also welcomed her niece into her home during a time of family instability. When her niece arrived, she was struggling academically. Today, she is on the honor roll, a testament to the power of support.
Tiffany’s role as a mother is central to everything she does. Her young son has special needs, and while balancing school, work and family responsibilities, Tiffany has taught him sign language to support his communication and development. Each challenge has strengthened her resolve.
Tiffany’s experiences with recovery, motherhood, entrepreneurship and education, have shaped her passion for advocacy. She is now a certified North Carolina Peer Support Specialist, helping individuals navigating substance use disorders, mental health challenges, PTSD and housing instability. Her approach is grounded in empathy, accountability and the belief that meaningful change begins with small, achievable steps.
Tiffany’s message to others is simple but powerful: obstacles do not define you. Persistence does. Tiffany hopes her story serves as a reminder that education is not limited by circumstance, that second chances are possible, and that no matter how many times life knocks you down, it is always worth getting back up and continuing to learn.