Braska Williams

Oct 1, 2024

In the Spotlight: Braska Williams, Director, NC-MSEN Pre-College Program, Friday Institute

In this series called In the Spotlight, we feature one staff member each month. In this edition, we spotlight Braska Williams, the director of the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation's North Carolina Math/Science Education Network (NC-MSEN) Pre-College Program, a STEM-enrichment program for students in grades 6 through 12. Here he answers five questions.

Aug 25, 2023

Students Gain Real-World Experiences in Augmented and Virtual Realities at MSEN Summer Camp with Newcombe Family Donation

A $50,000 donation from the Newcombe family in honor of Johan Newcombe provided 25 students from Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School and the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation’s North Carolina Math/Science Education Network Pre-College Program (MSEN) the opportunity to participate in a weeklong augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) camp.

Apr 22, 2022

NC State College of Education Awarded $2.5 Million in Research Funding From October 2021 Through March 2022

Faculty and researchers at the NC State College of Education, including the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research and the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, were awarded $2,503,821 to support 10 projects from Oct. 1, 2021, through March 31 2022.

Nov 20, 2020

Why I Give: ‘As a Parent of a College Student and as Someone Who Employs Work Study Students, I Empathize with Students who are Struggling to Pay for College,’ Says NC-MSEN Pre-College Program Director Braska Williams

Braska Williams, director of the NC-MSEN Pre-College Program through the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, started his undergraduate career as a computer engineering major. That changed by his junior year when realized that as an African American male, he could be a role model to African American students and make a difference as a teacher.

Jul 16, 2020

NC State College of Education Awarded $4.3M in Research Funding April-June, 2020

Faculty and researchers at the NC State College of Education, including the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, were awarded $4,371,540 to support 16 projects from April 1 to June 30, 2020.

Jul 1, 2020

College of Education Faculty Offer Tips to Prevent Summer Learning Loss

Students can often fall behind in their learning during the summer months, and that phenomenon could be amplified this year by the fact that schools have been closed since March to stop the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). To help prevent summer learning loss, College of Education faculty are offering their tips for helping students continue to learn.

May 8, 2020

MSEN Program Expands Reach To Edgecombe County to Bring STEM Experiences to Rural Students

Braska Williams, director of the North Carolina Mathematics and Science Education Network Pre-College Program (MSEN) at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, knows the impact his program has had on students. Now, because of a new four-year, $1.4 million NSF grant, MSEN will expand its program beyond Raleigh and into Edgecombe County Public Schools (ECPS) to address the lack of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) access for middle school students in the district.

Apr 16, 2020

K-12 Online Learning Resources and Advice

NC State College of Education Teaching Associate Professor Angie Smith, Ph.D., and Braska Williams, coordinator of the NC-MSEN Pre-College Program at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation share advice for parents managing K-12 education at home. 

Jan 7, 2019

New NSF Project to Increase Student STEM Identity through e-Mentoring

A three-year, $1.2 million grant “Enhancing STEM Identity through e-Mentoring Experiences” will pair underrepresented high school students in rural school districts in North Carolina with near-peer mentors studying engineering at NC State University to increase identity, self-efficacy and value for STEM subject areas.

Aug 29, 2017

Braska Williams ’89 Wins Insight Into Diversity Magazine’s 2017 Inspiring Leaders in STEM Award

A national magazine recognizes the director of NC-MSEN Pre-College Program for his lifework of encouraging students of color to pursue college and STEM careers.