Extraordinary Educators Prepare Here

North Carolina’s best educators prepare at the NC State College of Education.

In every corner of the state, in all 100 counties, NC State alumni are educating children, improving schools and strengthening communities. Students who graduate from the NC State College of Education go on to become teachers, counselors and principals, as well as business owners, governors, superintendents of the year and Super Bowl winning coaches.

Meet a few of our extraordinary students and alumni.

THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR

In recognition of the impact Edgecombe County Schools Superintendent Valerie Bridges ‘02MSA, ‘10EDD has made on her community, she was named the 2022 A. Craig Phillips N.C. Superintendent of the Year.

Meet Valerie

THE SUPER BOWL CHAMPION

When Bill Cowher ’79 attended NC State, he made the decision to major in education, a degree that provided him with a foundation he relied on as he led the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Super Bowl.

Meet Bill

THE DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY

Carl Harris ’98 EDD, former superintendent of Durham Public Schools, served as deputy assistant secretary for policy and strategic initiatives at the U.S. Department of Education from 2010-2011. Now, he is the College of Education’s board chair.

Meet Carl

THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR

What keeps fifth-grade teacher Brandon Daniel going are the relationships he builds with his students. It’s also why he was named 2019-2020 Durham Public Schools Teacher of the Year.

Meet Brandon

THE CALDWELL FELLOW

In high school, Maia Solomon attended the NC State College of Education’s Leadership Institute for Future Teachers (LIFT). Now, the mathematics education major is part of the Caldwell Fellows, NC State’s premier leadership development program.

Meet Maia

The things I’ve learned at NC State I’m definitely utilizing in my classroom every day. I have made so many amazing connections with my students, and that trickles down to their learning.
Valerie Ahrens ’20MAT
Kindergarten teacher who won Wake County Public School System’s 2020-21 Diane Kent-Parker First-Year Teacher Award

5,664

NC State alumni work in N.C. public schools

1,599

public schools in N.C. where NC State alumni work

115

of 115 public school districts in N.C. where NC State alumni work

THE PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR

This year, Patrick Holmes ’12MSA was named Person County Schools Principal of the Year for a second time. It’s a testimony to his success in implementing dual language and global learning programs, as well as his focus on student growth and well-being.

Meet Patrick

THE UNIVERSITY CHANCELLOR

Karrie Dixon ’97, ’03EDD was named chancellor of Elizabeth City State University in 2018. Since then, the university has turned around flagging enrollment numbers and become an economic driver in northeastern North Carolina.

Meet Karrie

THE EDUCATOR AND DONOR

Bria Cofield Wright ’16, ’19MED earned two degrees from NC State with the help of financial support. Today, she works for the Wake County Public School System and gives back to NC State to support future educators.

Meet Bria

THE TEACHING FELLOW

Teaching Fellow Lara Cate Wright has has been selected for a North Carolina Space Grant scholarship. Wright will soon take part in experiences provided by NASA, where she will learn lessons about science education that she can share with her future students.

Meet Lara Cate

THE COUNSELOR AT HEART

BJ Durham ‘22PHD, a graduate assistant in the Office of Graduate Student Success and a self-described “counselor at heart,” will soon educate the future counselors who will be in the school system for years to come.

Meet BJ

OUR DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI

Since 1991, we have awarded one graduate each year with a distinguished alumni award in recognition of their extraordinary achievements.

Meet All Distinguished Alumni

WHY WE CHOSE EDUCATION

NC State alumni, students and faculty share why they chose the profession of education.

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Educators Who Have Answered the Call

Over 5,000 NC State University alumni are working in all 115 public school districts in the state. Meet a few of them.

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