Meet Our Incoming Students: Three of Our Newest Graduate Students

This is part of a “Meet Our Incoming Students” series in which the College of Education will introduce some of its first-year, transfer and graduate students who will join us this fall.

The NC State College of Education welcomed over 450 master’s and doctoral students this fall. Meet three of the college’s newest graduate students — each of them coming from various backgrounds and professions.

Elliot Case

Raleigh, North Carolina
Purdue University
M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Educational background?

I went to a small private school called Saint David’s in Raleigh and decided I wanted to go to a different state for college. I ended up going to Purdue University and got a bachelor’s degree in sales and selling management.

Professional background?

I am currently working for Lampe Management as a manager in training.

Why did you choose the NC State College of Education?

I chose the NC State College of Education because I was drawn to clinical counseling and wanted to help people conquer their fears like a counselor helped me to conquer my fear of flying. My dad went to NC State and I have always been a State fan, so it is awesome that I get to follow in his steps.

What attracted you to that program?

I chose the program at NC State because it had the best reputation for counseling and I wanted to go with the best. I want to help people conquer their phobias and this is an area I am learning has not been very well studied. In talking with several teachers before I got in the program, they seemed to think it would be a great idea for an area of study and one where help is needed. I have also been attending NC State sports since I was a baby (literally) so I have grown up around it and always wanted to be a part of it.

What’s one thing you’re looking forward to this year?

I am looking forward to learning about more of the theories of counseling and how they can be put to real-world use.

Corina De La Torre

Salinas, California
University of California, Santa Cruz
Ph.D. in Teacher Education and Learning Sciences in the Educational Psychology program area of study

Educational background?

I studied at the University of California, Santa Cruz. I hold two Bachelor of Arts degrees in psychology and feminist studies with a concerntation in law politics and social change.

Professional background?

My new and current title is teacher assistant here at NC State, where I will be specifically assisting Assistant Teaching Professor Vandna Bindra this fall in EDP 304. For the last 3 years, I was a youth facilitator and advocate. I am also a community organizer back in my hometown.

Why did you choose the NC State College of Education?

I was attracted to NC State because of my interest in K-12 and higher education. I believe it’s within this department that I will be able to obtain the necessary knowledge and academic experience that’s specific to my career goals and my research interest in developing software and tools for struggling public schools and students.

What’s one thing you’re looking forward to this year?

I look forward to connecting with folks in the department and within the overall university.

Why did you choose education?

I chose education because I have witnessed the cultivation of resilience within students and their potential along with the potential of social services. As we know, there is a critical need for more effective and creative solutions to support resilience in youth. It was through my past work as well as leadership efforts in the educational setting that I found interest in pursuing graduate studies in educational psychology.

Caranda J. Shubrick 

Jacksonville, North Carolina
North Carolina Central University
Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development in the Higher Education program area of study

Educational background?

I earned a Bachelor of Social Work from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, a Master of Divinity from Campbell University and Master of Social Work from North Carolina Central University, where I serve as an academic advisor in the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.

Why did you choose the NC State College of Education?

I chose the NC State College of Education because of its commitment to social justice advocacy in education in North Carolina and society at large.

What attracted you to the higher education program?

I was attracted to the higher education program’s commitment to recruiting graduate students from diverse or traditionally underrepresented racial/ethnic minority backgrounds. In fall 2019, I had the opportunity to attend the Higher Education PREP weekend which afforded me the awesome opportunity to visit NC State’s campus and meet program faculty and current students.

What’s one thing you’re looking forward to this year?

This fall, I look forward to supporting the Change Agent Group to Become an Anti-racist College in the College of Education as the graduate research assistant. Additionally, taking a deep dive into the readings while collaborating with my cohort mates and actively engaging with the Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA) and building community are also focus areas.

Why did you choose education?

I chose education because of the challenges Black, Indigenous and people of color have endured historically. I choose to be an advocate to ensure educational success for all!