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Mike Casey ’18MSA Named Pitt County Schools’ Principal of the Year

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Keyana Scales stands with a student in a lobby at Howard University

Feb 10, 2026

#WhyIChoseEducation: Howard University Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success Keyana Scales ‘08MED on Serving as a Lighthouse for Students

Keyana Scales ‘08MED, Howard University’s senior vice president for enrollment management and student success, describes her role as similar to that of a lighthouse, providing both a safe harbor for students and illuminating future possibilities.
Teaching Fellows alum Cason Justice stands in the center of a group of people.

Feb 5, 2026

Teaching Fellow Alum Cason Justice ’12 Named 2026 Southeast Regional Teacher of the Year

For Cason Justice ’12, Southeastern North Carolina has always been home, So, when he found out he was selected as the area’s 2026 Regional Teacher of the Year by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, in partnership with the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, he was thrilled to represent his hometown.

NC State College of Education alum Nishelle Henson, pictured in the center holding flowers alongside, from left to right: Left to Right is her 3-year-old son, Jacob Henson, who is being held by her husband, Jon Henson; her 7-year-old son Noah Henson, Me, Lydia Sale Lunday (the 2025 Western Region Teacher of the Year), and Rachel Candaso (the current NC Teacher of the Year)

Feb 4, 2026

Nishelle Henson ’14MS Named 2026 N.C. Western Regional Teacher of the Year

Nishelle Henson‘’14MS didn’t think much about the morning announcement several weeks ago at Macon Middle School, in Franklin, North Carolina, where teachers were told there would be an indoor fire drill. During the drill, nearly 700 students and staff were supposed to practice taking attendance using their emergency protocol system. It wasn’t until one of her observant students noticed central office staff in the gym and asked Henson if the gathering was actually a ruse for her “award thing.” Turns out, it was.

College of Education alumna Mariah Walker speaks from a podium at Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy as she receives the 2026 Wells Fargo North Central Region Principal of the Year award.

Jan 15, 2026

Mariah Walker ’06, ’10MED, ’12MSA, ’24EDD Named 2026 Wells Fargo North Central Region Principal of the Year

Mariah Walker ’06, ’10MED, ’12MSA, ’24EDD, a four-time graduate of NC State’s College of Education and the principal of Wake Young Women' s Leadership Academy, has been named the 2026 Wells Fargo North Central Region Principal of the Year.
Jim Hunt shaking hands with an individual

Jan 6, 2026

Remembering Jim Hunt ’59

Two-time NC State student body president, College of Education alumnus and four-time North Carolina governor Jim Hunt '59 died Thursday, Dec. 18, at his family farm near Lucama, North Carolina. He was 88.

Dec 10, 2025

Why I Chose Education: N.C. Department of Adult Corrections Assistant Superintendent of Education Kebbler Williams ’04MSA

Kebbler Williams ’04MSA knew that she wanted to be an educator from the time she was four years old. After a long career in K-12 public schools, Williams recently took on a new role as assistant superintendent of education within the N.C. Department of Adult Corrections.

Dec 5, 2025

Bailey McGuire ’13 Named Stanly County Teacher of the Year

Bailey McGuire‘’13 was named Stanly County Teacher of the Year earlier this year, but it’s her experience in the NC State College of Education that she says truly prepared her to be successful in the classroom.

Dec 2, 2025

Bryan Hayes ’20MED Receives NCCTM Outstanding Mathematics Teacher Award

Former North Carolina High School Master Mathematics Teacher Fellow Bryan Hayes’ commitment to seeing his students succeed earned him the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCCTM) Outstanding Mathematics Teacher award for his school district.

Nov 10, 2025

#WhyIChoseEducation: Rob Moore ’18PHD on a CAREER Milestone

Rob Moore ’18PHD has a vivid memory of going to the movies after taking his Introduction to Statistics final exam in his doctoral program, hoping to distract himself from what he was sure was a failing grade. However, when the credits rolled, he checked his phone to find that not only had he passed the exam, but he also aced the class. This moment, he says, filled him with confidence that carried him through earning his Ph.D. and his subsequent career in academia.

Oct 21, 2025

Mike Casey ’18MSA Named Pitt County Schools’ Principal of the Year

Mike Casey ’18MSA knows that being a school leader can be both challenging and rewarding, but his time in the NC State College of Education’s NC State Educational Leadership Academy (NELA) provided him with the essential tools he needed to succeed.