A Single Class Changed Everything: Mason Burghart Finds Their Calling at GTCC

“I had never left the country before, and when the trip was introduced, I wanted to go and experience something new,” Mason Burghart said. “I really wanted to see what life was like somewhere else.”

At 16, Mason Burghart arrived at Guilford Technical Community College unsure of what path to take. This spring, they will graduate with a clear direction and plans to transfer to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to pursue a career studying ancient religions.

Originally from Greensboro, Burghart graduated early from Brittain Academy and began their college journey at GTCC in the spring of 2023. Their path to that moment was not traditional. They knew they wanted to continue their education, but due to their age, a four-year university was not the right fit at the time.

GTCC was.

“I would do it 100 times over the exact same way,” Burghart said.

They enrolled in the associate of arts program without a clear major, something many students experience when starting college. What changed everything was a single class.

“I was taking Myth and Human Culture at GTCC, and they talked about so many different myths and religions across the world, and I just fell in love,” Burghart said. “I’ve been taking as many religion classes as I can since then. I love learning about the ancient religions and seeing how they all connect.”

At GTCC, Burghart found an environment that allowed them to explore their interests while building confidence in their academic path. That one course set the direction for everything that followed.

Now preparing to graduate, Burghart will transfer to the UNC-Chapel Hill, where they plan to pursue a bachelor of arts in religious studies with a double major in archaeology. Their long-term goal is to earn a Ph.D. and build a career researching ancient religions while teaching at the collegiate level.

“It is so cool, especially when you look at how these traditions have developed over time,” they said. “It’s such an interdisciplinary study. It’s everywhere.”

Beyond the classroom, Burghart fully embraced the student experience at GTCC. They served as president of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and participated in GTCC’s Global Scholars program, connecting with students across the Triad and beyond. Mason was also selected for the Student Excellence Award in Humanities & Social Sciences.

One of the most impactful experiences during their time at GTCC was a week-long study abroad trip to Ireland, their first time traveling out of the country.

“I had never left the country before, and when the trip was introduced, I wanted to go and experience something new,” they said. “I really wanted to see what life was like somewhere else.”

The trip combined history, culture, and hands-on learning, taking students across Ireland’s landscapes while exploring Irish mythology, religion, and history.

“We went on so many hikes. Ireland is gorgeous,” Burghart said. “We got to see beautiful natural landscapes and learned about Irish mythology, religion, civil rights, and the famine. It was amazing to learn about all of that.”

What stayed with them just as much as the history was the people they met along the way.

“It was amazing to connect with people from other community colleges and four-year universities who I never would have met otherwise,” they said. “I haven’t been able to stop talking about it since I got back.”

Inside the classroom, Burghart credits their success to the support they found at GTCC. Faculty mentorship and campus resources helped them adjust to college life and develop the skills needed to succeed.

“It was really just learning how I needed to manage my time and learn in a college environment,” they said. “I got a lot of help from the Center for Academic Engagement and my professors.”

One faculty member who made a lasting impact is religion instructor Melissa Maley, whose passion for the subject helped shape Burghart’s academic focus and future goals.

“She is awesome and cares so much about religion,” Burghart said. “It was great to learn so much from somebody who knows so much and to better understand what my career options could be.”

"Mason came into my classroom already a gifted writer, speaker, and critical thinker,” Maley shared.  “I love their enthusiasm for the stories of humanity's past, and I know their academic skills, shaped by this love, will serve them well into the future.”

As they prepare to graduate and take the next step toward a four-year degree, Burghart reflects on how far they have come and the foundation they built at GTCC.

“I do not know what I would do without the start GTCC gave me,” they said. “Everything I’ve done here is going to help me take that next step.”

Their advice to students considering their own path reflects the same spirit of openness that changed their own life.

“Take all of the classes that interest you, even if they’re not directly related to your major,” Burghart said. “You never know what you might fall in love with. You’re only in this part of your life once, so take advantage of it.”

Mason Burghart walked onto the GTCC campus at 16, unsure of where they were headed. They leave this spring with a degree, a purpose, and a future they are excited to pursue. At GTCC, all it took was one class to Make Amazing Happen.