10 Reasons Why We Chose the NC State College of Education

We asked a few of our new undergraduate and graduate students why chose the NC State College of Education and the education field. Here’s what they said.

To effect change. “When I interviewed [for the Ph.D. program in counselor education], the faculty said: ‘We’re not here to dictate your journey. We want to help you create your own path to success.’ That stood out to me. The faculty is here to support me, cultivate my interests, and help me make an impact in a more direct way in clinical settings and outside clinical settings. I want to effect change; I want to study more about empathy and the role that empathy plays in our lives. I want to help more people. The College of Education is going to help me do that.” — Bredell Moody, a licensed professional counselor and Ph.D. student in counselor education

To inspire the next generation. “I chose the field of education because I want to inspire the next generation. I want to help students pursue their dreams and change the world.” — Abigail Earp, a double major in mathematics education and mathematics from Lenoir

To make a difference on a larger scale. “I chose to major in education because I love teaching and I eventually want to get my education doctorate in administration and curriculum development. I see the political, social and academic issues that we have in schools all over the country and I really want to be able to make a difference on a larger scale.” — James Daniels, a first-year double major in middle grades language arts and social studies and science education from Selma

To better support students in my classroom. “I have seen how [the New Literacies and Global Learning] would be a good way for me to give better support for my students. I will get more in depth knowledge about how the curriculum works, because we work the curriculum in both Spanish and English. I know the College of Education would best help me help my students because the college is one of the most prestigious in North Carolina and the country.” — Lilia Acio, a 2nd grade teacher in a dual immersion program with the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and a master’s student in New Literacies and Global Learning

To give kids new opportunities. “Education is truly rewarding, and it’s not just about a monetary reward. It’s about the kids and how much they learn. You want to change their lives and give them new opportunities. It’s all for the kids.” — Kelsey Metcalf, a middle grades education major from Asheville

To research how college students learn. “Dr. Karen Keene [a professor of mathematics education] and I connected at a research conference on undergraduate education in San Francisco. I talked to her and some of the students, and I liked the research going on here. It seemed to be a good fit for my interests. I want to focus my research on mathematics education at the college level. I want to learn more about how people learn at the college level and how to teach mathematics at that level.” — Nate Jewkes, first-year Ph.D. student in STEM education

To learn in an open arms atmosphere. “The NC State College of Education is ranked highly, and I was really impressed with that. I came to the Open House and everyone was so welcoming and so kind, and I loved the open arms atmosphere.” — Katharine Higginson, an elementary education major from Raleigh

To impact the future. “Digital teaching and learning is the way of the future. Twenty years ago online learning was just something people did randomly. Now, 100 percent of students are taking 30 percent of their classes online. . . . This program [at NC State College of Education in Learning Design and Technology] is ranked in the Top 25 nationwide, and I have a lot of colleagues who graduated from the college in my ear buzzing about the great things the college is doing. Plus, it’s affordable. You get more bang for your buck here.” — Meecha Jackson, a career and technical teacher at Millbrook High School in Raleigh and a master’s student in Learning Design and Technology

To study at a college with a strong STEM component. “One of the reasons I chose the NC State College of Education is because I was impressed by the strong STEM component. Also, the advisors are super personable and make this feel like home.” — Madeline Cole, an elementary education major from Mount Airy

To help counselors change the world. “I had two professors in my master’s program who graduated from the NC State College of Education, and they raved about how amazing their experience was. They said professors helped them find jobs, supported them through their dissertation process, and treated them like humans. That made me want to come here. And I knew the college will help me do what I want to do: I want to understand what theoretical approaches master’s level counselors in the field take to help their clients and how their previous trauma affects their interactions with clients. . . . And I want to become an advocate for the profession and help counselors change the world in every possible way.” — Samantha Simon, a first-year Ph.D. student in counselor education