Originally from Ohio, Bonafede served in the U.S. Air Force for 24 years. After retiring from the military, Bonafede planned to use her master’s degree in project management / information management to build another career in that field. However, when her husband passed away, Bonafede faced new challenges and had to decide what was next for her family.
With a life that looked different than she expected, Bonafede wanted to put down roots in Wayne County after a military career full of deployments that kept her away from her family. “When a tragic event happens in your life, you take a step back and evaluate what is important to you,” Bonafede said.
Bonafede felt the need to give back to her community and the people who helped her get through a difficult time. In 2022, she signed on to open a Biggby Coffee franchise in Pikeville, aiming to create a place that brings people together.
WCC’s Business Administration and Accounting and Finance programs each offer an Associate in Applied Science degree, a diploma, and certificates. The programs also provide transfer opportunities to universities for those interested in obtaining a bachelor’s degree in either field. Classes in both programs can be taken in person, online, or through a combination of both.
Bonafede, who has taken mainly online classes to fit her busy schedule, said she has learned everything from how to build a business plan and create an employee handbook to taxes and business law.
“I’m glad I have taken classes at WCC because I was able to use a lot of the tools that I’ve learned and incorporate them into my business. Otherwise, I would’ve been so lost,” Bonafede shared. “The instructors are awesome, and the classes are great.”
With a full schedule and many responsibilities, Bonafede knows how challenging it can be to go back to school as a working adult. She would encourage others to work at their own pace to achieve their educational goals. “Don’t feel overwhelmed; you will eventually finish,” she said. “It’s a small sacrifice now for a greater outcome in the future.”
“There’s a lot of blood, sweat, and tears that went into this building, and I’m very proud of it,” Bonafede said. “I love it when I see groups of people come in to socialize and enjoy a cup of coffee. It makes it worth all the struggles I went through to get to where I’m at today.”
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