Congrats, May 2026 Graduates!

From our first graduates of the Transformational Scholarships Program to future counselors, teachers and school leaders, the NC State College of Education welcomed 372 new alumni during a May 8, 2026, graduation ceremony.

To the Class of 2026: ‘Your Stories, Your Ambitions and Your Accomplishments Will Make Our Future Extraordinary’

The College of Education recognized over 370 graduating students during a ceremony in Reynolds on May 8, 2026.

Read our grad recap

Let’s Celebrate

View photos from the NC State College of Education’s May 2026 Graduation Ceremony held in Reynolds Coliseum.

group of graduating students in may 2026

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35

graduates receiving doctoral degrees

178

graduates receiving master’s degrees

166

graduates receiving bachelor’s degrees

Josh Webb ’26: The College of Education Didn’t Just Teach Me How to Educate, It Taught Me How to Lead’

Meet Josh

John Hensley ’26PHD: ‘The College of Education Has Given Me So Many Opportunities’

Meet John

Mariam Hernandez Vargas stands in front of a building.

Sparking a Love of Learning

Mariam Hernandez Vargas ’26 remembers wanting to become a teacher as early as the third grade, when she was asked to do a project about her future career.

Meet Mariam

Transforming Lives through Leadership

Markevis Silver ’26MSA chose a career in education because of its power to transform the lives of others, but he realized he could expand his impact by becoming a school leader.

Meet Markevis

Decorative photo of Olivia Hare in her cap and gown.

Finding an Unexpected Passion

When Olivia Hare ’26 first came to NC State, she was on a pre-medical track. She soon realized that this path was actually not the right one for her, but she desired a career that would let her help and serve others.

Meet Olivia

Helping Students Navigate Transitions

As an undergraduate, Jayda Bernard ’26MED saw the impact that mentors can have on college students, which inspired her career path.

Meet Jayda

Garret Eder stands in front of the empty desks in his social studies classroom.

Making History Come Alive

Garrett Eder ’26MAT says that history is meant to be seen and touched, not just read about in books.

Meet Garret

Grace Green does the wolfie hand sign while standing in front of the Bell Tower.

Modeling Curiosity for Young Learners

Grace Greene ’26MED comes from a family of NC State alumni, and has always had a goal of earning a degree from the university.

Meet Grace

‘The Program Has Opened Doors to Opportunities:’ First Transformational Scholars Prepare to Graduate

Several students in the Transformational Scholarships Program will be among the first graduate this May. They share how the program has made an impact on them.

Learn more

Connecting Theory to Practice

Pete Peterson ’26MAT has always been drawn to the idea that education is about helping shape the way people grapple with the world around them. He was particularly interested in teaching English, as he believes the subject sits at the heart of that idea.

Meet Pete

Finding Her Calling through Tragedy

For Whitney Robertson ’26PHD, back-to-back tragedies in her life helped illuminate a career path in counseling, and now, counselor education.

Meet Whitney

Trent Phillips wears his graduation cap, gown and a pair of sunglasses.

Applying Knowledge to Industry

Trent Phillips ’26 was originally unsure about what to major in when he came to NC State, but after showing interest in a graphic communications course, his advisor recommended he look into majoring in technology, engineering, and design education.

Meet Trent

Molly Sue Smith wears her graduation cap and gown while giving the wolfie hand signal.

Making a Difference through Service

Molly Sue Smith ’26 once felt that attending college would be unattainable. When she did eventually come to NC State, she brought with her a commitment to supporting other students who came from backgrounds with fewer resources.

Meet Molly Sue

Advice from Elementary Students to College of Education Graduates

An elementary student sits in front of a tree outside her school.

Meet Our Outstanding Dissertation Award Winners

Three recent NC State College of Education alumni were recognized for their scholarship when they were presented with Outstanding Dissertation Awards during the college’s May 2026 graduation ceremony.

Meet them

A photo of medals with a light red color overlay

Finding a ‘Perfect Fit’ Program

Leanna Martin’s journey to graduate school started with a wakeup call in the most literal sense.

Meet Leanna

Making an Impact with Science

Coley Welch ’26 has always known two things for sure: that he wanted a career that would make an impact on others and that he found science fascinating.

Meet Coley

A decorative photo of Catarina Ferreira holding her graduation cap.

Helping Future Generations Understand the Past

Catarina Ferreira ’26 says that the opportunity to teach children is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. It’s why she chose to become a middle school teacher.

Meet Catarina

Supporting Scientists

WIth more than two decades of lab experience, Stephanie Teeter ’26PHD knew that scientists love what they do, but often need help communicating that passion with others and in a way that non-scientists can appreciate.

Meet Stephanie