Thirty-year-old Kenneth Grice graduated with an associate degree from 麻豆传媒画映鈥檚 Simulation and Game Development program in December of 2025 after seven years of studies. As a neurodivergent student, Grice overcame many obstacles to earn his college degree, so his graduation day was especially rewarding.
鈥淎t my old school, they said I would never graduate. I proved them wrong,鈥� Grice said.
When Grice did not receive adequate support in school, his parents and others opened a private K鈥�12 school for neurodivergent students called New Independence Academy. Grice and another student were the first to graduate from the school in 2016.
After graduating from high school, Grice鈥檚 parents encouraged him to think about what he wanted his next step to be. When Grice considered attending college, he discovered that WCC鈥檚 Simulation and Game Development program could allow him to pursue his interests in gaming and design.
Creativity meets technology
WCC鈥檚 newly renamed Game Art and Simulation Design program provides students with hands-on training in 3D modeling, animation, audio/video production, graphic design, programming, and quality assurance to create simulations and video games. The program offers an Associate in Applied Science degree and three certificates.
Grice enjoyed creating games in his classes, learning how original developers create games from scratch, and gaining knowledge through the expertise of WCC鈥檚 faculty. 鈥淭hey helped me out a lot,鈥� he said about his instructors.
WCC Simulation and Game Development Instructor Cheyenne Prybylinski said it was a wonderful experience teaching Grice in the program. 鈥淜enneth was good about asking questions when he needed help,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e even took multiple projects home and worked on them there. He took extra time out of his day to complete work, and he was a great student in the classroom.鈥�
A major accomplishment
After seven years of hard work and determination, Grice earned his associate degree in 2025, achieving a significant goal he had set for himself.
Throughout his time at WCC, Grice gained confidence and enjoyed being a college student. He plans to continue his journey in WCC鈥檚 Cybersecurity program in the fall.
A proud support system
Grice鈥檚 parents shared how proud they are of their son for graduating and persisting in his academic endeavors at WCC.
鈥淭hey never thought he would graduate from high school, and look at him now鈥攈e has graduated from high school and college and is working toward a second degree,鈥� Grice鈥檚 father said.
鈥淲hen he was younger, they never thought he would even be able to communicate,鈥� added Grice鈥檚 mother. 鈥淭o know all he has accomplished to get to this point, to see him fulfilling his dreams鈥攖here鈥檚 no other word but proud.鈥�
For more information on WCC鈥檚 Game Art and Simulation Design program, visit our website or contact Prybylinski (919-739-6883 or cnprybylinski@waynecc.edu).