To the College of Education Graduating Class of 2024: ‘I Encourage Each of You to Never Underestimate the Impact That You Can Have on the Lives of Others Through the Power of Education’
The NC State College of Education welcomed more than 290 new alumni during the Spring 2024 graduation ceremony on May 3, 2024. Below is a recap of the event.
Number of Graduating Students: 291 students graduated from the College of Education on May 3, including 44 doctoral students, 134 master’s students and 113 undergraduate students.
Charge to Graduate Students
Cherrelle Lawrence, who earned an Ed.D. in Community College Leadership, delivered the charge to the graduate students, sharing how she faced barriers as a trailblazer – becoming the first in her family to earn an advanced degree – and encouraging her fellow graduates to carry the spirit of trailblazing in all of their future endeavors.
She also reminded the graduates that each and every one of them has beaten the odds stacked against them at one point or another in their academic career but succeeded because “our educational paths know no boundaries.”
“I encourage each of you to never underestimate the impact that you can have on the lives of others through the power of education. Whether you find yourselves in the classroom, the boardroom or the halls of policymaking, let the lessons imparted here at NC State guide you,” she said.
Charge to Undergraduate Students
Matty Grossman, who earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education, delivered the charge to undergraduate students and shared his personal journey in achieving his degree.
Grossman shared how high school, and his first attempt at college, were difficult for him because he struggled to feel like he belonged. However, the people within the College of Education made him feel welcomed and valued through a kinder pedagogy – a pedagogy he encouraged his fellow graduates to take with them into their own future classrooms.
“We are graduates of the NC State College of Education, and we know the power that comes from a community of support, the power of a kinder pedagogy,” he said. “As we cross this threshold, as we become the experts in the room, it becomes our job to let the people in our communities know they belong. Next year, smile at all of your students. Learn their stories, their fears, their quirks and celebrate them.”
Remarks from Dean Paola Sztajn
Dean Paola Sztajn encouraged the crowd in attendance to celebrate this year’s graduating class, especially those who were experiencing a graduation ceremony for the first time. Some students had their high school graduations canceled during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020.
As she welcomed this new group of educators to the field, she also took time to acknowledge the educators who helped them along their own journeys and the impact that all educators can have.
“None of us would be here without educators – our teachers, instructors, administrators, counselors, advisors, instructional designers, researchers and other education professionals.
You – our educators – have one of the toughest jobs in the world; yet, you also have one of the most important jobs. We see you. We respect you. We value you.”
Special Recognitions
Dozens of College of Education students were recognized during the ceremony for their academic, leadership and scholarly efforts. View the students recognized:
Department Awards
Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development
- Don C. Locke Multicultural and Social Justice Symposium Scholarship: María Heysha Carrillo Carrasquillo
- Beatrice & Roy Anderson Education Scholarship: Valentina Sosa-Gutierrez
- Norman Anderson – J. Conrad Glass, Jr. Graduate Fellowship: Arbony Chenoah Cooper
- Edgar J. & Ethel B. Boone Adult & Community College Leadership Award: Ashley Mackey-Whitworth
- Kimberly F. Crews Memorial Endowed Scholarship: Elizabeth Leo and Briana Rollins
- Thomas R. & Dorothy E. Koballa Endowed Scholarship: Kobie Joyner
- Casandra Lee Versteeg Mitchell Scholarship: Karis Price and Maeghan Schell
- Wilcox-Hodnett Doctoral Fellowship: Mario Jackson, Demetrius Jenkins, Jada Mumford, and Keisha White
Department of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education
- Norman Anderson-J. Concord Glass Jr. Graduate Fellowship: Brayan Diaz
- The John and Nell Penick Fellowship: Amanda Hall and Kimberly Ideus
- Epsilon Pi Tau Leadership Award: Joseph Kaskel
- Garland Kermit Hilliard Outstanding Student Achievement in Technology Engineering, and Design Education: Mary Bloemeke
- Robert H. Hammond Outstanding Student Achievement in Graphic Communication Minor Award: Paul Randolph
- Dr. John Park Memorial Outstanding Senior Award in Science Education
- Middle School: Emily Workman
- High School: Madison Morgan
- Eileen Williams Service Award in Mathematics Education: Dr. Valerie Faulkner, NC State University
- Outstanding Service Award in Technology Engineering, and Design Teacher Education: David Cook, Apex Middle School.
- John Park Outstanding Service Award in Science Education: Dr. Jeremiah Feducia, Department of Chemistry, NC State University
Department of Teacher Education and Learning Sciences
- John Arnold & Pat Dalton Middle Grades English Language Arts and Social Studies Award: Claire Turnbull
- Jimmy Scherrer Outstanding Senior Service Award: Demaree Persson
Education Council Outstanding Senior Awards 2024
- Elementary Education: Sophie Satkowiak
- Middle Grades English Language Arts and Social Studies Academic Achievement Award: Jocelyn Hughes
- Dr. Lee V. Stiff Memorial Award for Outstanding Senior in High School Mathematics: Maddy Hannan
- Dr. John Park Memorial Outstanding Senior Award in Science Education
- Middle School: Bechan Williams
- High School: Ashton Jones
- Outstanding Senior in Technology, Engineering and Design Education: Madi Joy Marlowe
Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Awards
- Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development: Dana Thomas
- Department o f Science, Technology, Engineering and Technology Education: Luke Carman
- Department of Teacher Education and Learning Sciences: Courtney Samuelson
Special Recognition of Student Groups
Epsilon Pi Tau
- Jesus Sauza
- Owen Silber
- Brianna Soto
Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education
- Meredith Barger
- Caroline Bell
- Frank Belote
- Jonathan Chen
- Autumn Edwards
- Courtney Smith
- Dawn Grigg Purdie
Goodnight Scholars Program
- Sharonda Renee Daniels
- Katie S. Jordan
- Courtney Reegan Smith
- Heidy Fanny Labra-Franco
- Ashton Tyler Jones
- Brianna Massiel Soto
Spotlight Awards
- College of Education Spirit: Meghan Larson
- Dr. Anona Smith Williams Community Service: Meghan Larson
- College of EducationRising Leader: Mariah Simmons
- College of Education Golden Apple Future Teacher: Maddy Hannan
Park Scholars
- Georgia Caroline Goulding
- Madalyn Claire Hannan
Students Advocating for Youth (SAY)
Undergraduate Students
- Brooke Babb
- Abigail Cook
- Ava Cottone
- Lauren Cox
- Allison Curtis
- Kylie Dunbar
- Holly Ficken
- Peyton Grant
- Ashton Jones
- Olivia LaRusso
- Heidy Labra-Franco
- Elle McLaughlin
- Demeree Persson
- Olivia Pulley
- Sophie Satkowiak
- Sarah Shiflett
- Taylor Simpson
- Bailie Tew
- Abigail Warren
Graduate students
- Amber Petrusa
- Kailee Storie
- Krystal Strader
University Honors Program
- Abby Lauren Rinehard
University Scholars Program
- Maddy Claire Hannan
Teaching Fellows
- Allen James Collins
- Mary Caroline Congleton
- Lauren Elizabeth Cox
- Austin Phillip Denning
- Madeline Michelle Duchesne
- Holly Catharine Ficken
- Ansley Faith Fondow
- Ashley Elizabeth Hinson
- Ashton Tyler Jones
- Heidy Fanny Labra-Franco
- Madison Joy Marlowe
- Demaree Elizabeth Persson
- Susie Robinson
- Sophia Anne-Marie Satkowiak
- Parker Helen Sutton
- Bailie Brooks Tew
- Emily Louise Workman
- Savannah Dawn Wright
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