Having grown up in a small, rural town in North Carolina, 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. 

Her commitment to helping others inspired her to double major in both social work and applied education studies, and led to her being selected as a 2026 recipient of the Matthews Medal, the highest non-academic distinction awarded to NC State students. 

The award honors graduating seniors who have served as student leaders and made significant contributions to the university. 

“Receiving the Mathews Medal affirms that I have made a meaningful impact at NC State over the past few years,” Smith said. “Much of my service and leadership has been rooted in small-scale, near-peer programs, so it is especially rewarding to see work at a micro level recognized within the Wolfpack community.” 

During all four years at NC State, Smith—who is a Park Scholar—has served on the executive board of Park Under-Resourced Assistance (PURA), which provides resources such essay editing, mock interviews, a clothing closet and interpersonal support to Park Scholarships Program applicants during the selection process. 

While serving as trumpet section leader in the marching band and as a teaching assistant for the Introduction to Backpacking course, Smith also dedicated her time off to participating in Alternative Service Break programs. 

She spent one such trip in Hoonah, Alaska, working with Tlingit Indigenous people, volunteering at a local school, helping to build a frisbee golf course and participating in cultural activities like the Native Youth Olympic games. During another trip to Curarehue, Chile, Smith worked alongside Mapuche Indigenous families on farms, speaking with tribal elders and hiking the Villarrica Volcano. 

As she prepared to graduate in May, Smith spent her final semester at NC State completing her social work practicum as a social determinants of health intern at Haven House Services, while also working as an Outreach and Strategic Partnerships intern in the College of Education. 

“One of the most impactful experiences I have had during my time at NC State, and undeniably a big reason as to why I was selected for this award, is serving as an Outreach and Strategic Partnerships Intern in the College of Education, working alongside [Director of Outreach and Strategic Partnerships] Lindsey Hubbard,” Smith said. “Lindsey has supported my professional development, personal well-being and educational goals since the moment we met. She has modeled what it means to serve student populations with care and intention, and has shaped how I approach empowering rural communities through education.”

Through this internship, Smith was able to assist in the planning and execution of We Teach for NC weekends in North and South Carolina as well as attend the trips, where she experienced everything from visiting pigs in a Future Farmers of America program at a high school to learning about beginning teacher support programs she was previously unaware of. 

Following graduation, Smith will take on a job as a Next Steps Adviser at Swain County High School through Appalachian State University’s Advise NC Program. In this position, she will support high school seniors in creating post-graduation plans and assist them with tasks such as submitting college and scholarship applications, applying for FAFSA assistance and entering the workforce. 

Her time earning a degree in applied education studies as well as her internship, Smith said, have helped her better understand how to serve in the field of education. 

“Through my roles as an Outreach and Strategic Partnerships intern and former summer intern, I have gained the skills and perspective needed to support students in rural communities across North Carolina, from Murphy to Manteo,” she said.