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.
This fall, the NC State College of Education will welcome about 277 new doctoral and master’s students who will study everything from the impact of new technologies and mentoring programs in K-12 schools to strategies for supporting underrepresented students in higher education and beyond.
Meet six of the new graduate students:
Lynn Huff
Buffalo, New York
Ph.D. in Learning and Teaching in STEM: Science Education concentration
Hobbies and Interests: Hobbies include knitting, video games — you can never be too old — and running. Interests include mycology, plant biology, astronomy — for fun — and anything my kids are interested in.
What is your educational background?
I have a bachelor’s degree in secondary education/science from Buffalo State University, a MA in biology from Buffalo State University and an M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction from UNC Charlotte.
What is your professional background?
I have been a middle school/high school teacher for 10 years. I have worked in a lab for three years, not including my field research work. I am currently teaching at Edgecombe Community College — it’s my second year there.
Why did you choose the NC State College of Education?
NC State has the best science education doctoral program in the state. The professors in the program are incredibly qualified and I know I will be able to move forward in my career with this degree. I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of the program.
Why did you choose your concentration?
I am passionate about teaching science to young people and I understand the value of having a strong science background. I want to improve my skills as an educator, so I can transfer that to my future students. I can never get enough science, either.
What are your research interests?
I am interested in the impact that different mentoring programs have on science teaching, student success and teacher retention.
How will this program help you accomplish your goals?
Eventually, I would love to be a teacher educator and I know this program will open the doors to that career path.
Why did you choose education?
I realized when I was very young that I loved sharing what I knew with my family and friends. It wasn’t until later that I realized that what I was doing was educating. I can’t see myself doing anything else.
Haleema Khalil
Lahore, Pakistan
Hobbies and Interests: My hobbies and interests are very diverse and have evolved with different phases of my life. One of my favorite pastimes is listening to music, where I love exploring various genres and languages. Often, I can be found dancing to the beats. During long drives, I switch to podcasts. Another hobby that has become a reliable stress reliever for me is cooking and baking, which provides a creative outlet for me.
What is your educational background?
I recently earned my M.Ed. in English language learners from Vanderbilt University. Prior to that, I completed my undergraduate degree, in linguistics, from the University of Central Punjab.
What is your professional background?
As an undergraduate student, I worked as a freelance editor and proofreader. During my senior year, I joined my high school as a literature club instructor, with a hope of fostering a passion for literature and critical thinking among club members. After my undergraduate degree, I ventured into the field of education as an English language teacher at a private school in Pakistan. This experience allowed me to work with the Cambridge curriculum. However, after two years as a teacher, I decided to pursue a master’s degree, where I was exposed to the American school system, gaining valuable insights and expertise along the way.
Why did you choose the NC State College of Education?
Firstly, the college’s innovative curriculum and research projects perfectly match my interests and career goals. Moreover, I was drawn to the NC State College of Education because of its diverse and supportive learning environment, which I believe will provide me multiple opportunities to grow professionally and personally. In the end, I believe this institution will nurture my passion for education and prepare me for a successful career as a teacher trainer and curriculum developer.
Why did you choose your concentration?
A strong emphasis on research-driven teaching methodologies attracted me to this program. My experience as a teacher in various settings has convinced me educators should be able to access pedagogical research and receive specialized training on integrating it into their classrooms. I feel that this program will provide me with the tools to incorporate cutting-edge research into the classroom, in addition to collaborating with experts in the field.
What are your research interests?
My research interests revolve around literacy development, multilingual learner agency and teacher training.
How will this program help you accomplish your goals?
Through this program, I hope to gain knowledge and skills that will help me address specific challenges I may encounter during my future teaching career. Additionally, engaging with and being mentored by experts in the field will help me not only deepen my understanding of effective teaching practices, but also allow me to contribute meaningfully to the field of education via research.
Why did you choose education?
Choosing the field of education came from my passion to make a positive impact on the people around me. Throughout my life, I have been fortunate enough to see my parents, both educators, show me the transformative power of education. Witnessing their dedication to their students convinced me this might also be my calling. When I had the opportunity to teach, I found it a joyous and fulfilling experience. Watching my students understand an unfamiliar concept or simply develop the desire to learn reinforced my belief that this was a field I wanted to commit to. I am truly looking forward to making a lasting difference in my future students’ learning experiences.
Kenya Lawrence
Brooklyn, New York
Ph.D. in Learning and Teaching in STEM: Mathematics and Statistics Education concentration
Hobbies and Interests:
Zentangles, hiking and painting.
What is your educational background?
Graduated from Meredith College with a bachelor’s degree in math and minor in Spanish; certified to teach grades 6-12 math in 2007. Graduated from North Carolina Central University with an M.A. in Education Technology and an MIS Information Sciences degree in 2023.
What is your professional background?
Classroom teacher, teacher mentor and lead teacher for 14 years; Durham Public Schools (DPS) district math coach for 2 years; currently a DPS 6-12 math specialist
Why did you choose the NC State College of Education?
Current students shared their experience about their growth as writers, researchers and the amazing support they received from the community here. I wanted to be in a program that stretched me professionally and personally to continue to grow in ways I have not imagined.
Why did you choose your concentration?
I believe all students can learn math with equitable access to high-quality math learning experiences. Teachers are the instructional leaders who have the most impact on what that looks like in action. I want to facilitate opportunities for pre- and in-service math educators to, first, find their authentic educator-self and then learn and teach math in a way that honors and extends student knowledge.
What are your research interests?
Impact of blended instruction and personalized learning in math; using technology to make math visible and the impact this approach can have on increasing students’ positive math identity and their achievement levels.
How will this program help you accomplish your goals?
It provides an opportunity to work with like-minded professionals on policy, research and curriculum.
Why did you choose education?
Educators were my superheroes. I was seen, heard and developed by my teachers and college professors. This inspired me to want to give a similar experience to my students. I believe every child deserves a differentiated, on-grade level mathematics learning experience in an environment where they are seen, heard and their talents are developed and integrated for the benefit of all in the learning community.
Sam Munzer
Wallkill, New York
Ph.D. in Learning and Teaching in STEM: Engineering and Technology Education concentration
Hobbies and Interests: Outside of the classroom, I enjoy riding my motorcycle and creating new inventions and artifacts with different CNC (computer numerical control) machines.
What is your educational background?
Before my arrival to NC State, I completed both my master’s and bachelor’s degrees in technology education at SUNY Oswego, in Oswego, New York.
What is your professional background?
Before returning to Oswego for my master’s program, where I accepted a graduate assistant position in the Department of Technology, I taught seventh-grade technology in the Hudson Valley.
Why did you choose the NC State College of Education?
The faculty at NC State have been inspiring and made me feel welcomed. This is an environment I truly feel that I can thrive in and I look forward to all my future endeavors and collaborations.
Why did you choose your concentration?
Like many of my peers, I was drawn to technology education by my technology teachers in both high school and middle school. They introduced me to the amazing world of invention and creative problem solving, for which I am forever grateful. I owe my discovery of NC State to the wonderful faculty at SUNY Oswego. I owe much of who I am as an educator and student to them.
What are your research interests?
I am very interested in researching the effects of new technology on modern classrooms and how it can be implemented in such a way to make education more effective and equitable.
How will this program help you accomplish your goals?
My goal is to teach higher education. I hope my research and coursework will present me the opportunities and experiences to grow as a well rounded educator.
Why did you choose education?
The most rewarding feeling in the world is being able to accomplish something very difficult. Through that journey, you discover what your true interests are. Being a teacher allows you to provide that environment and experiences for your students. As an educator there is no greater sense of pride than when a student truly understands the concepts that you are teaching and then applies those concepts with their own perspective to other problems.
Lily Rivas
Huntersville, North Carolina
Master of Education in Higher Education
Hobbies and Interests: Writing, reading, going to the gym and being a Swiftie.
What is your educational background?
I earned my bachelor’s of social work in 2022 from NC State University.
What is your professional background?
I am the program coordinator for Inclusive Excellence and Strategic Practice within the Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity at NC State. My role includes teaching our diversity, equity and inclusion courses and assisting with programming.
Why did you choose the NC State College of Education?
As an alum of NC State and current professional here, I was thrilled at the opportunity to continue my education at an institution I know delivers on its excellence. Though I was a part of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences in undergrad, the College of Education at NC State has made a great impression on me and I am so excited to officially be a part of it.
Why did you choose your program?
As a first-generation Latina college graduate and professional, I am passionate about higher education. More specifically, I am invested in ensuring that the experience in institutions of learning is equitable for students, faculty and staff. NC State’s higher education program has shown a commitment to equity and justice, which was very important for me when looking into graduate programs.
What are your research interests?
I’m very interested in the experience of Latinos in higher education. While there continues to be research interest in the undergraduate student experience, as a Latina currently working and studying at a predominately white institution, I feel like there is a gap in the research of how Latinx faculty, staff and graduate students experience these types of environments. Geographically, a lot of the research that exists about Latinos in higher education is focused on the west coast and border states due to the historical presence of Latinx populations there. I would love to focus on this region of the United States because of the population growth and the need to support Latinos in this field.
How will this program help you accomplish your goals?
I am very impressed by the program’s commitment to educational equity and diversity. I believe that this commitment is reflected in the curriculum and the experiences for students. As a current DEI professional, I am passionate about the field and staying in it; this program can assist me with finding other opportunities that align with that passion.
Why did you choose education?
I believe education is a right. However, it is often treated as a privilege that excludes underrepresented and underserved groups. Especially when it comes to higher education, there exist many barriers to access and equity that need to be addressed. I want to help address those issues and find solutions to ensure that education is treated as the right it is.
Alcedos Vanterpool
The Bronx, New York
Hobbies and Interests: Fishing, playing football and cooking.
What is your educational background?
I have a bachelor’s degree in educational studies from Kent State University and an M.Ed. in college student affairs from Rutgers University.
What is your professional background?
Career coach at New College of Florida Career Engagement and Opportunity, graduate assistant for career services, housing and the Equal Opportunity Fund at Rutgers University.
Why did you choose the NC State College of Education?
I love the resources that the college provides. They really provide opportunities to flex my muscles as a research scholar and I know that I’ll be able to flourish as a student in the college.
Why did you choose your concentration?
The higher education opportunity, equity and justice concentration really attracted me to NC State. Meeting faculty and current students showed me that the college was invested in researching and informing policy that creates change and allows the opportunity to help people like me create change.
What are your research interests?
Black male undergraduate student success and government policy in higher education.
How will this program help you accomplish your goals?
I want to lead my own multicultural center one day and teach future higher education professionals as a faculty member. I also want to help create equitable pathways for other students of color to be their most successful, whether that’s in the field of higher education or just in life in general.
Why did you choose education?
My mother was instrumental in my choosing to continue my education. She taught my siblings and me the importance of education and using it as a tool for success. When she passed from COVID-19 last year, she left me with a call to action to disrupt the inequity that disproportionately affects communities of color. That disruption for me was through education. I’ve learned through my own experiences why people that look like me have to continue to pour into the field of education, so that those who follow can have even more opportunities to be their best selves. I struggled a lot as an undergraduate and was even academically dismissed. That small moment in time made a huge impact on my life and what I wanted to do in the field of education. If I hadn’t struggled, I would have never learned about low retention rates for Black males, which inspires my research today. I also would not have been drawn to the field of higher education, gotten my master’s and started on my Ph.D.
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