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Meet Our New Students

Meet Our New Students

Plus, meet four new faculty members.

The NC State College of Education will welcome nearly 500 new students in the 2026-27 academic year. Meet some of our new extraordinary educators.

Headshot of Aimaral Tabarak

Aimaral Tabarak

Math has always been a part of Aimaral Tabarak’s life. After teaching secondary mathematics for more than a decade, she decided to to earn her doctoral degree and grow as a researcher.

Meet Aimaral
Headshot of Matt Cairnes.

Matt Cairnes

From music to mental health, a new chapter led Matt Cairnes to NC State’s Graduate Certificate in Counselor Education program and, now, to the university’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling online master’s program.

Meet Matt
Carolina Mitchell wears a graduation cap and holds her high school diploma.

Carolina Mitchell

Carolina Mitchell had three teachers who made an especially big impact on her. Now, this Teaching Fellow and Goodnight Scholar is looking forward to becoming a teacher who inspires her future students

Meet Carolina
Headshot of Josselyn Espinoza Leon

Josselyn Espinoza Leon

This first-generation college student and recipient of the Dean’s Excellence Scholarship is looking forward to earning her degree in technology, engineering, and design education and helping her future students discover their strengths.

Meet Josselyn
Shane Mcallister stands next to a woman outdoors

Shane Mcallister

When Shane Mcallister first took a job as an elementary school instructional assistant, he thought it would just be a temporary position — a stepping stone on his way to a different career. Soon though, he fell in love with education.

Meet Shane
Headshot of Ann Piosson

Ann Poisson

Ann Poisson has spent 25 years in education and has seen firsthand the ways in which policies can impact the classroom. This led her pursuing earning a Ph.D. with the goal of improving pathways into the teaching profession and how teachers can be better supported.

Meet Ann

Meet Some Students From Our New Elevate Cohort

Hear why they’re excited to be part of the Pack and what they’re looking forward to during the upcoming school year.

A student in Elevate holds a microphone in Tally Student Union. Play Video
Headshot of Madai Jimenez

Madai Jimenez

Madai Jimenez has always loved math, taking multiple advanced math courses during high school. After attending the Leadership Institute for Future Teachers (LIFT), she knew that the College of Education would be the right place for her to become a math teacher.

Meet Madai
Headshot of Lisa Bartles.

Lisa Bartels

Lisa Bartles’ passion for dual-language immersion schools, and a recognition of the need for more principals capable of successfully leading these schools, led her to the NC State College of Education, where she will earn a Master of School Administration.

Meet Lisa
Headshot of Meaghan Goldberg

Meaghan Goldberg

Meaghan Goldberg spent years working as a child life specialist in hospitals, but when she wanted a change, she knew she wanted a career where she could use skills developed in that role and where she would still work with kids.

Decorative headshot

Sauqina

After various roles in the field of science education, Sauqina had the opportunity to help prepare the next generation of science teachers. 
Now, as a Fulbright Scholar earning her Ph.D. in the Learning and Teaching in STEM science education concentration, she is excited to upgrade her skills.

Meet Sauqina
Headshot of Lamar Whidbee ‘22MED

Lamar Whidbee ‘22MED

Lamar Whidbee ‘22MED is returning to the College of Education to earn his Ph.D. in the Educational Leadership, Policy and Human Development counseling and counselor education concentration, with the goal of learning more about the relationship between art, healing and trauma.

Meet Lamar

Meet Our New Faculty

Four new faculty members will join the NC State College of Education for the 2026-27 academic year, bringing their expertise in counseling, STEM and rural education.

Meet Our New Faculty
Meet our new faculty

Help us welcome our new and returning faces at the College of Education Welcome Block Party.

 What: Celebrate the beginning of a new academic year (and welcome our new and returning faces) with games, giveaways, and free food.

 Who: Open to all College of Education faculty, staff and students

 When: Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026 | 3-6 p.m.

Where: The Corner, which is located at the corner of Main Campus Drive and Research Drive on Centennial Campus diagonally across from the Center for Technology and Innovation (CTI)

Cost: Free!

Aug. 25, 2026

College of Education Welcome Block Party (3-6 p.m. on The Corner)

Join us

Interested in joining our Pack?

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