Congrats, Class of 2017

The College of Education graduated 330 students over two ceremonies Saturday, May 13. Relive the ceremonies through photos, videos, social media posts and recaps; and meet 14 of our new alumni.

Graduate Ceremony: ‘Stand For Whatever Your Passion Is’

“Take a stand for whatever [your] passion may be — even when it’s not in vogue, especially if it’s not in vogue,” Ellen Murphy ’98,’14 MED said in her charge to the 225 students awarded master’s and doctoral degrees May 13.

Read Our Recap

Invest in Duct Tape, Revisit Your Why & Other Advice

We asked alumni, friends and faculty to share their advice and words of wisdom to the College of Education’s new alumni who graduated May 13. We compiled a list of 10 tips we received and heard.

Get Tips For Educators, From Educators

Photo Gallery | #NCStateCED17

See a few of our new alumni who are prepared to improve the lives of every student, client, colleague or community member they interact with.

“I cannot wait to see how you change lives and how you change the world,” Dean Mary Ann Danowitz said in her commencement remarks. “Go, and take on the world. Think and Do the Extraordinary! Think and Do Education! And always be a leader of the Pack.”

Meet 14 #NCStateCED17 Graduates

Fourteen of our new alumni talk about their decision to pursue a career in education, how the College of Education changed them, and how they are prepared for what’s next.

Learning to Question

Melissa Goto ’17 learned to question things in the College of Education. But one thing she has not questioned? Her decision to be an elementary school teacher.

Connecting Academia, Industry

Higher education administrator Matthew Starcke ’17 PHD now has the technical knowledge he didn’t have before — and that has opened up more doors of opportunity.

How to Get Rewarding Work

Stacy Outlaw ’17 EDD, who works at Elon, pursued doctoral studies to better enrich all students’ experiences.

Confidence is Key

Through challenging coursework and supportive faculty and peers, Kyle Levine ’17 MED learned to think deeper and have faith in his abilities.

Widening His Sphere

Derek Williams ’17 Ph.D. will expand his impact on others through teaching mathematics at the college level and in a teacher education program.

Why I’m Returning to Teaching

Kathleen Anne Epperson ’17 MS left the classroom to pursue a master’s. After being reminded of the rewards of teaching, she’s now headed back to the classroom.

Advancing the Black Male Initiative

Qwen Ballard will receive his master’s degree in higher education administration on Saturday. He also earned his B.A. in business and marketing education with a concentration in entrepreneurship at NC State.

What It Means to be a Teacher

As a College of Education student, Lauren Slenker ’17 learned the importance of fostering relationships. She’ll bring those lessons to her own middle grades classroom this fall.

A Chance to Explore IDEALS

Shauna Morin ’17 PHD was attracted to the College of Education because of the Interfaith Diversity Experiences and Attitude Longitudinal Survey. After completing her Ph.D., she’ll stay on as a postdoctoral researcher.

Making Strides in Math Education

Rebeka Townsend ‘17 wants to help students overcome their challenges. She’ll start doing that this come fall as a high school mathematics education teacher.

A Better Online Instructor

Karen Tharrington ’17 PHD wanted to merge her interests in language, teaching and technology. She found a way through the College of Education.

‘This experience has definitely impacted my ideals and beliefs as an educator’

After student teaching in local classrooms for 10 weeks, 11 graduating seniors in the College of Education spent five weeks in classrooms in China. There, the students say, they developed a deeper sense of cultural awareness and competence that will help them better reach their future students. Four graduating seniors talk about the experience.

Read Their Stories in Their Own Words

Celebrate #NCStateCED17 With Us

Our new graduates, our alumni, our faculty and staff, and our friends took to social media to share how they marked the Class of 2017’s big day.

#NCStateCED17 is ready for Pomp and Circumstance. #NCState17 🐺🐾🎓 pic.twitter.com/1fGkZbnOHz
— NC State College of Education (@NCStateCED) May 13, 2017

Watch the Ceremonies

Missed the ceremonies Saturday? Want to watch yourself receive your degree? Or watch a loved one cross the stage again? View videos of each ceremony on our Facebook page.

Watch on Facebook