Why I Chose Education

Aug 30, 2023

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘There’s Something About People Who Are in The Education Field Becoming Strong Leaders’ Says Robin Pate ’91

When Wake Technical Community College Athletic Director Robin Pate '91 was an undergraduate student at NC State, he knew he had a passion for teaching and coaching. That passion led him to switch his major from civil engineering to science education and to apply for a job as a manager for the Wolpack Women's basketball team, through which he met former Coach Kay Yow. 

Jul 24, 2023

WhyIChoseEducation: ‘Education Has Helped Me See the World in Different Ways,’ Says Samaria Warsaw ’21MAT

When Samaria Warsaw ’21MAT was a high school student in Indiana, AP English was her favorite class. She had grown up reading books and writing poetry, but it was that… 

Jun 27, 2023

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘It’s the Love of Science and the Love of Sharing and Conveying That Science,’ Says Rebecca Hite ’16PHD

As a doctoral student in the NC State College of Education, Rebecca Hite became fascinated by the promise of using 3D, haptic-enabled, virtual reality platforms to convey scientific concepts. Now, she is researching those emerging technologies as an associate professor at Texas Tech University. 

May 26, 2023

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘Education Really is an Opportunity For Me to Practice My Values Around Fostering Equitable Environments’ says Jemilia Davis ’19PHD

When Jemilia Davis ’19PHD delivered the charge to the graduate students during the NC State College of Education’s Spring 2019 graduation ceremony, she spoke on looking to the past in order… 

Apr 25, 2023

WhyIChoseEducation: ‘I Believe the Classroom is Where The Difference is Made,’ Says Edgar Huff ’13MAT

When Edgar Huff was earning his Master of Arts in Teaching, he heard a statistic that almost half of teachers leave the profession after five years. He told himself he would not be one of them. Now, 10 years later, he is still teaching social studies at Panther Creek High School and was recently named the school's teacher of the year. 

Mar 29, 2023

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘There’s This Power in Being Able to Mentor and Develop Others,’ Says Richmond Hill ’01MED

Richmond Hill ’01MED became a school counselor to provide mentorship to students. He never expected that would lead him to one day being named provost of Northern Virginia Community College's Woodbridge campus. 

Feb 14, 2023

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘Reaching a Child is Just Very Rewarding,’ Says Ashlyn Scruggs ’15

Ashlyn Scruggs '15, an eighth-grade social studies teacher, was inspired by her experience as a student teacher. So, when she stepped into a classroom of her own, she welcomed student teachers from the College of Education to pay it forward. 

Jan 20, 2023

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘Caring Adults Have a Huge Opportunity to Make Such an Impact On The Lives of Young People,’ Says Sheronda Witter ’19PHD

For over five years, Sheronda Witter served as the director of the North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs. Now, as the STEM Next Opportunity Fund's Out-of-School Time Partnerships Fellow in the Office of the Secretary at the U.S. Department of Education, she is working to ensure access to high-quality afterschool and summer learning programs for students across the nation. 

Dec 20, 2022

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘What You Do as a Teacher, as an Educator, is You Get to Make an Impact on the Lives of Others That Can Last Their Entire Lifetime,’ Says Bennett Jones ’14MSA, ’19EDD

After more than two decades as an educator in North Carolina public schools, Bennett Jones '14MSA, '19EDD is stepping into a new role as the director of the North Carolina Teaching Fellows program. 

Nov 28, 2022

WhyIChoseEducation: ‘Education is an Avenue to Social and Economic Mobility,’ Says Elizabeth City State University Chancellor Karrie Dixon ’97, ’03EDD

Karrie Dixon '97, '03EDD was named chancellor of Elizabeth City State University in 2018. Since then, the university has turned around flagging enrollment numbers and become an economic driver in northeastern North Carolina.