Congrats, May 2022 Graduates!

A father and daughter sharing their graduation day. Editor in chief of NC State’s yearbook. An educator who sat through a Zoom class while in labor. These are just some of the 428 new alumni the NC State College of Education celebrated during our Spring 2022 Graduation Ceremony on May 6.

‘We, as educators, must be an advocate for others, especially those who can’t be one for themselves.’

The College of Education celebrated the graduation of over 420 students during its Spring 2022 Graduation Ceremony on May 6. Both student speakers shared lessons that drew on the legacy of the late Lee Stiff ’79PHD, who served and led in the College of Education for 37 years.

Read the recap

Let’s Celebrate!

View photos from the NC State College of Education’s Spring 2022 Graduation Ceremony held May 6 in Reynolds Coliseum.

Our Graduating Class
By the Numbers

29

Students Receiving Doctorate Degrees

254

Students Receiving Master’s Degrees

144

Students Receiving Bachelor’s Degrees

Meet Some of Our New Alumni

CREATING SPACE FOR STUDENTS TO BELONG

Jessica Terrones came to NC State looking for a supportive community. In the College of Education, she found ways to help build that community for others and plans to do the same in her classroom.

Meet Jessica

DISCOVERING INSPIRATION IN STEM EDUCATION

Allyson Sarnowski ’22 and Jason Sarnowski ’22MED are looking forward to graduating together after Allyson inspired her father to earn his master’s degree.

Meet Allyson and Jason

FIGHTING FOR EQUITABLE SCHOOL PRACTICES

As a former high school English teacher, Nina Schoonover ’22PHD always used the arts in her classroom. Now, she will use her knowledge to conduct equity-focused research in her home state of Virginia.

Meet Nina

NC State College of Education Graduate Student Tia Canada '22MED

PAVING THE WAY

Tia Canada ’22MED was awarded NC State’s Witherspoon Graduate Fellowship for commitment to supporting Black communities. She’s made it her mission to do for others what they have done for her.

Meet Tia

BLENDING DIGITAL MEDIA WITH EDUCATION

Don Bui ’22 has always had interest in STEM. Now, after earning his bachelor’s degree in technology, engineering, design education, he is looking forward to a future career in digital media and education.

Meet Don

PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF LEARNING

Adam Brandt ’22PHD believes he will never be done learning. With research exploring the intersection of faith and multicultural development, he’s excited to push the boundaries of what’s expected in his field.

Meet Adam

“I chose education because I believe that each student deserves an exceptional education from champion teachers who advocate for them“

Jessica Richardson ’15, ’22MSA
Master of School Administration

Meet Jessica

KEEPING TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM

After spending 15 years in the field of education, Leon Borders ’22MSA decided he wanted to have a bigger impact through a role in educational leadership. His goal is to use what he has learned to create a system of change that will help keep teachers in the classroom.

Meet Leon

SUPPORTING ELEMENTARY AND SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS

Ever since Alliyah Rich ’22 can remember, she wanted to be a teacher. As she approaches graduation, Rich is looking forward to being there for her elementary school and special education students, with the goal of one day stepping into a leadership role and earning her Master of School Administration.

BUILDING INCLUSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS

Maggie Lally ’22 decided she wanted to be a positive influence in creating inclusive spaces for students in technology, design and engineering classes. Now, she hopes to take her goals even further by earning her master’s degree.

Meet Maggie

PROMOTING HIGHER EDUCATION ACCESS FOR UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENTS

As an undergraduate student, Jamison Lowery ’22MED realized the importance of promoting access to higher education to underrepresented students. Now, after he graduates with his master’s degree, he plans to bring more attention to the unique needs that Indigenous students have in the field of higher education.

Meet Jamison

CREATING BRIGHT FUTURES THROUGH ONLINE PROGRAMS

Derek Just ’22MED gained hands-on counseling experience while earning his master’s degree online, and he hopes to use what he learned to help students prepare for their futures.

Meet Derek

PURSUING A PASSION FOR MATHEMATICS EDUCATION RESEARCH

At the College of Education, Martia Williams ’22 gained first-hard experience in mathematics education research, which has inspired her to want to become an educational researcher.

Meet Martia

“I want to give as many children as possible the chance to learn and grow into the best person they can be.”

Taylor Rowland ’22, elementary education student and Wolfpack volleyball outside hitter.

Meet Taylor

INSTILLING A LOVE FOR LEARNING

Matin Maani ‘22 spent the majority of his formative years in Beijing, China, and Haifa, Israel, where he experienced firsthand the “transformative effect teachers have on the minds and hearts of young people.” Now, he wants to do the same.

Meet Matin

PROVIDING MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES

Becky Dorman ’22MED is already taking advantage of the lessons she learned through the Yadkin Wolfpack Literacy Partnership to provide unique learning opportunities for her students.

Meet Becky

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

Growing up, Sydney Reid ’22 saw the difference her mother made as a school nurse in a Title I elementary school. She hopes to use her passion for science and math to also make a difference in the lives of her elementary students.

Meet Sydney

INSPIRING TECHNOLOGY EDUCATORS

Teena Coats ‘16, ‘21PHD came to NC State to pursue an engineering degree, but a series of conversations with Joe Busby ’99PHD, a former technology education faculty member who has since passed away, inspired her to change her focus to engineering and technology education.

Meet Teena

SHOWING STUDENTS THE BEAUTY IN MATH

Hannah Watlington ’22 always enjoyed taking math classes and helping her classmates in math courses. Now, she plans to take what she’s learned and use it to make a difference as a high school math teacher.

Meet Hannah

GAINING A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

After repeated attempts, Elizabeth Vanegas, was finally able to study abroad in Prague. Now, she hopes to broaden her students’ horizons.

Meet Elizabeth

OPENING DOORS THROUGH ENGINEERING EDUCATION

Megan Patberg Morin ’16MED, ’22PHD has made it her mission to provide opportunities for females students and others who feel like underdogs in engineering.

Meet Megan

CREATING FUTURE WORLD CHANGERS

Kyanna “Kay” Sumpter ’22 wants to inspire her students to change the world. The NC State College of Education has prepared her to be an educator who will make an impact.

Meet Kay

The NC State College of Education Class of 2022

We asked the Class of 2022 to share some photos from their time at the college. See some of our graduates and their memories.

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