Meet Our New Faculty

The NC State College of Education will welcome several new faculty members in the 2021-22 academic year who will help us improve educational outcomes for all learners and drive innovative solutions to educational problems.

Assistant Professor Sunghwan Byun, Ph.D., shares why he chose a career in education, what his research interests are and why he chose the NC State College of Education.

Sunghwan Byun: ‘My Goal Was to Contribute to Equity in Mathematics Education

“I fell in love with the teaching profession because of the amazing, committed teachers throughout my K-12 education. I knew teachers make a difference in students’ lives and I wanted to do the same as my teachers did for me,” says Sunghwan Byun, who earned a Ph.D. from Michigan State University.

Meet Sunghwan

NC State College of Education Assistant Professor Ruby Ellis, Ph.D.

Ruby Ellis: ‘I’ve Always Believed That Education Was the Key That Unlocks the Door of Opportunity’

“I want my students to become passionate educators who believe not only in their abilities to affect positive change, but to believe in their future students’ abilities and provide them with opportunities to explore mathematics in meaningful ways,” says Ruby Ellis, who earned a Ph.D. from Auburn University.

Meet Ruby

NC State College of Education Assistant Teaching Professor Jordan Lukins, Ph.D.

Jordan Lukins: ‘I Have Been Driven By a Passion to Create Classrooms and Schools Where All Students Are Valued’

“I saw how deficit-focused education could be, especially when it came to students with cognitive, physical, psychological or learning differences, and I wanted that to change,” says Jordan Lukins, who earned a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Meet Jordan

Assistant Teaching Professor of Counseling and Counselor Education Elizabeth Vincent, Ph.D.

Elizabeth Vincent: ‘I View my Classroom as a Collaborative Learning Environment Where Every Person is a Learner and Teacher’

“I try to foster relationship building to ensure students understand how to have difficult conversations and approach challenging subjects with compassion, humility and curiosity,” says Elizabeth Vincent, who earned a Ph.D. from NC State University.

Meet Elizabeth

NC State College of Education Lecturer Erik Schettig

Erik Schettig: ‘I Hope My Students Learn From Me How to Utilize Resources and Problem-solving Strategies to Apply STEM Concepts

“I am still proud of those first teaching experiences where, after guiding students’ use of technology and engineering practices for a design project, they experienced those “ah-ha” moments,” says Erik Schettig, who is earning his Ph.D. from NC State University.

Meet Erik

NC State College of Education Assistant Teaching Professor Terri Tilford

Terri Tilford: ‘I Hope Students Learn From Me the Joy of Learning, How to Effectively Help Others and How to Identify and Develop Their Niche in Counseling’

“I am passionate about helping others, and teaching was the most enjoyable way for me to accomplish this goal! Overall, I believe this is part of my purpose in life—guiding people into a direction for personal life success. “

Meet Terri