Why I Chose Education

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. 

Oct 27, 2022

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘I Would Like All Students to Have Equal Opportunity to Succeed in Education,’ Says Somanita Kheang

While teaching English part time in Cambodia, Somanita Kheang began to wonder if she could be a more effective educator for her students, some of whom were adult learners. Now, as she conducts research on adult learning while earning her second doctoral degree at the NC State College of Education, she has become a researcher and is having an even greater impact on adult learners and the field of education than she ever expected. 

Sep 29, 2022

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘We’re Continually Learning, Moving Forward and Building New Bridges and Opportunities for Everyone,’ Says Pamela Gilchrist ’14PHD

As the director of K-12 programs at the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus, Pamela Gilchrist '14PHD is working toward preparing students and educators for success through innovations in STEM. 

Aug 26, 2022

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘I Really Like Working With In-service Teachers Because I Remember Being There,’ Says Vance Kite ’18MED, ’21PHD

The first time Vance Kite '18MED, '21PHD interacted with NC State University was as a Kenan Fellow. Now, after earning his doctoral degree through the College of Education, he will lead the Kenan Fellows as the program's new director.