Why I Chose Education

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. 

Jul 14, 2022

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘I Realized What a Big Impact I Can Make In Education,’ Says Helen Lupton-Smith ’96PHD

Helen Lupton-Smith '96PHD helped College of Education Professor Marc Grimmett launch the Community Counseling, Education, and Research Center (CCERC) at NC State. Now, she's continuing to make counseling more widely accessible by leading the creation of the Eagle Counseling, Consultation, and Research Clinic (ECCRC), a community counseling clinic at North Carolina Central University. 

Jun 28, 2022

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘I Chose Education Because Education is a Powerful Vehicle for Social Change,’ Says Senior Director of Student Success Alexander Kappus

As the NC State College of Education's senior director of student success, Alex Kappus strives to operate as a scholar-practitioner in order to better support students and the field of education. 

May 24, 2022

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘We’re All Part of a Broader Community of Individuals Who Want Our World to be a Better Place Tomorrow Than it is Today,’ Says Carl Harris ’98EDD

As a first-generation college student, Carl Harris' passion for education began at an early age, when he saw how knowledge could unlock opportunities. Now, as the NC State College of Education's board chair, he works toward supporting educational growth for others. 

Apr 27, 2022

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘I Want My Classroom to Feel Representative of My Students and a Space Where They Can Be Themselves’ Says Jessica Terrones ’22

Jessica Terrones came to NC State looking for a supportive community. In the College of Education, she found ways to build that community for others and developed leadership skills that will carry over as she steps into the classroom. 

Mar 8, 2022

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘My Thing Has Always Been Helping Kids and Helping Adults Help Kids,’ Says Autumn Guin ’20PHD

Autumn Guin '20PHD is using the knowledge and skills she's honed in the NC State College of Education to follow through on the university's land-grant mission and help kids as part of NC State Extension. 

Feb 17, 2022

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘Choosing Counselor Education Means That I’m Educating Those Future School Counselors Who are Going to be in the School System for the Next 50 Years,’ Says BJ Durham ‘22PHD

BJ Durham ‘22PHD, a graduate assistant in the Office of Graduate Student Success and a self-described “counselor at heart,” works hard to help graduate students in the NC State College of Education thrive. 

Jan 27, 2022

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘Education Just Has, To Me, The Most Meaning and Purpose and Joy of Anything That I’ve Done,’ Says Adjunct Associate Teaching Professor Sue Wasiolek

Sue Wasiolek, often known simply as Dean Sue, is a fixture at Duke University, where she served as the dean of students for the past 40 years. While it is in that role she is best known, for more than a decade she’s also been a part of the NC State College of Education, where she teaches the graduate level course EAC 778: Law and Higher Education.