Skip to main content

Why I Chose Education

A photo (uploaded Jan. 16, 2024) of Steve Lassiter Jr. superintendent of Pitt County Schools, seated at his desk. Next to him is a graphic with the quote: I Look Forward to Continuing to Leave No Stone Unturned for Our Students

Jan 16, 2025

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘I Look Forward to Continuing to Leave No Stone Unturned for Our Students,’ Says Pitt County Schools Superintendent Steve Lassiter Jr. ’19EDD

Steve Lassiter Jr. '19EDD grew up in eastern North Carolina, where his K-12 teachers made a lasting impression on his life, inspiring him to one day become an educational leader. In November, Lassiter, who earned his doctoral degree through the NC State College of Education's educational leadership program, was named superintendent of Pitt County Schools.

Nov 25, 2024

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘My Goal Was to Help Young People Appreciate the Wonder and Achievement of Learning,’ Says Tamar Avineri ’16PHD

Twenty years ago, Tamar Avineri '16PHD applied for a position at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. Now, this award-winning educator is chair of the school's Department of Mathematics and teaches advanced courses that prepare her students to become creative thinkers and problem solvers.

A photo of Sara Vogel with a quote: Nothing Is More Thrilling Than Learning Something New and Sparking Curiosity in Another Person

Sep 26, 2024

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘Nothing Is More Thrilling Than Learning Something New and Sparking Curiosity in Another Person,’ Says Sara Vogel ’13MED

As a researcher, Sara Vogel '13MED, the Title IX coordinator at Hawaii Community College, is focused on implementing innovative ways to lower the rates of sexual violence on college campuses.

A photo of Carl Blue with the quote: "I like that 'aha moment' when you see the light come on and something clicks."

Aug 29, 2024

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘I Like That ‘Aha Moment’ When You See the Light Come On and Something Clicks. ,’ Says Carl Blue ’06EDD

Carl Blue '06EDD, an associate professor at Clemson University, prepares his students to succeed in the constantly changing graphic communications industry by drawing on the lessons he's learned throughout his varied career.

A photo of Oneisha Leonard-Henry with the quote: If I Can at Least Reach One of These Kids, Then It'll Have a Domino Effect

Jul 30, 2024

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘If I Can at Least Reach One of These Kids, Then It’ll Have a Domino Effect,’ Says Oneisha Leonard-Henry ’23MAT

Whether it was her mom, a nurse, flipping through the pages of a novel at the end of a long day, or her grandmother, a pastor, hosting Bible studies and book clubs, Oneisha Leonard-Henry '23MAT remembers growing up surrounded by family members who loved to read. Now, she is an English teacher able to share her passion for literature with seventh graders at Neal Magnet Middle School in Durham.

Stephen Day Why I Chose

Jun 26, 2024

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘I Still Think That It Helps Us Build a Better Society When We Ask Rigorous Questions and Study Them Well,’ Says Stephen Day ’15PHD

Stephen Day '15PHD has a passion for helping students better understand economics, and now serves as a term associate professor at Virginia Commonwealth University and director of its Center for Economic Education.

A headshot of Jennifer Buelin with the text: Education Is a Career Trajectory That Allows You to Learn a Whole Lot in Order to Understand It Yourself, But Also to Share It With Other People

May 30, 2024

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘Education Is a Career Trajectory That Allows You to Learn a Whole Lot in Order to Understand It Yourself, But Also to Share It With Other People,’ Says Jennifer Buelin ’12PHD

Jennifer Buelin '12PHD, senior program manager for Workforce Development and Career and Technical Education with the ASHLIN Management Group, has spent her career seeking out new learning opportunities that allow her to give back to others.

Headshot of Danielle Jones with quote: "We're here to support schools that have a direct impact on the lives of our children."

Apr 29, 2024

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘We’re Here To Support Schools That Have a Direct Impact on the Lives of Our Children,’ Says Orange County Schools Superintendent Danielle Jones ’12MSA, ’15EDD

Danielle Jones '12MSA, '15EDD started her career as a middle school mathematics teacher; now, as superintendent of Orange County Schools, her goal is to support every one of her educators who is working to make an impact on the lives of students.

Mar 29, 2024

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘My Teachers Had a Big Impact on Me, and I Wanted to be That Person for Other Students,’ Says Meghan Larson

Between hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic, Meghan Larson's experience as a K-12 student was not an easy one. That's why this Transformational Scholar wants to become a teacher — to provide students in eastern North Carolina with the opportunities she missed.

Headshot of Karen Terrell Jackson with quote: Education Has Something for Everybody

Feb 27, 2024

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘Education Has Something for Everybody,’ Says Karen Terrell Jackson ’14PHD

Karen Terrell Jackson '14PHD, an assistant professor at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, can see now how her early interest in research and testing led to a career in educational evaluation. But, as an undergraduate student and aspiring chemist, she never imagined she would be an educator, much less the recently named president-elect of the American Evaluation Association.