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Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 5pm

https://ced.ncsu.edu/transformational-scholarships-program/

NCSU Transformational Scholars, Address: Poe Hall, 2310 Stinson Drive, Raleigh, NC (2026)

11/07/2025

Meet Emmy Taylor

Emmy is from Onslow County and is majoring in Mathematics Education. She is a Goodnight Scholar and a member of SAY Village and NCCTM. She enjoys doing poetry and going to the beach. She also would never give up the opportunity to talk about teaching or anything she finds interesting.

Why did you choose NC State?
I loved how the College of Ed made me feel at home. It is such an amazing community and it feels like a family.

Why did you choose teaching?
I want kids to succeed in ways that my teachers helped me succeed.

What does the scholarship mean to you?
It means helping the community that helped me.

What is something you look forward to this year?
Learning to become more open and outgoing.

11/06/2025

Meet Jayleigh Locklear

Jayleigh is from Cumberland County and is majoring in Elementary Education. She is also a member of the North Carolina Teaching Fellows, and is a member of the Students Advocating for Youth (SAY) Village. She is looking forward to joining clubs on campus in the future.

What are your hobbies and interests?
My hobbies largely consist of going on walks and doing arts & crafts! I enjoy outdoor walks because they help me relax, clear my mind, and connect with nature. Arts and crafts allow me to express my creativity and make something unique. I love to spend time with my family and friends as much as I can. But my favorite thing of all is volunteering with my track team back home and working with kids to develop their athletic and overall confidence.

Why did you choose NC State?
I chose NC State University because of the sense of community I immediately felt from my very first tour, and from the passion that pours from every educator here who is involved with the College of Education.

Why did you choose teaching?
I chose the career path of teaching because I’ve always felt it was a calling from God to make a positive impact in the lives of others. Teaching allows me to live out that calling, using my passion for education to help students grow. There’s nothing more fulfilling than watching a child gain confidence and discover their potential, knowing I played a part in that journey.

What does the scholarship mean to you?
To me, this scholarship means everything. It is allowing me to pursue my dream to become an educator, while at the same time providing me with a community that will support and uplift me. I cannot express enough how grateful I am to be welcomed into this group of scholars. I am so excited for the path it has given me, and I cannot wait to give back to Eastern North Carolina, the beautiful opportunities it has given to me through this scholarship.

What is something you look forward to this year?
Something I look forward to this year is my field experience I will have through SAY Village. I am so excited to be paired up with a child and get firsthand experience as a mentor.

10/31/2025

Meet Carly Kincaid

Carly is from Onslow County and is Majoring in Elementary Education. Carly is also a North Carolina Teaching Fellow and a part of the Wolfpack Club on Campus. She is also a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority at NC State. She loves shopping and trying new things.

Why did you choose NC State?
It is the number 1 school for education in North Carolina!

Why did you choose teaching?
I have always known I wanted to be a teacher. I have a passion for making a positive difference and impact in the lives of children. I also have a love of learning, and I hope to ignite that in others!

What does the scholarship mean to you?
Transformational Scholars is really important to me because I am dedicated to giving back to the community that built me. This scholarship is an amazing opportunity to bring the knowledge that I get from NC State and bring that back to my community!

What is something you look forward to this year?
I look forward to getting involved on campus and growing as a person and student!

10/29/2025

Meet Katie Del Key

Katie Del is from Brunswick County and is Majoring in Secondary Science Education: Chemistry Concentration and Chemistry. On Campus, she is a North Carolina Teaching Fellow, a member of the National Science Teaching Association at NC State, and the Cru Campus Ministries Tech team. In her free time, she is someone who loves kayaking, exploring new coffee shops, and spending time with her dogs. She plays French Horn in local ensembles, enjoys being the unofficial nail tech for her friends and family, teaches swim lessons, and loves watching classic movies with her friends.

Why did you choose NC State?
I chose NC State for its world-class teacher preparation program, the close-knit community in the College of Education, and the many outreach, service, and engagement opportunities available to me on campus.

Why did you choose teaching?
I chose to become an Educator in North Carolina because I believe that quality education is the gateway to an increased quality of life. I want to make a positive impact on my community and the world, and teaching is the best way to achieve that goal!

What does the scholarship mean to you?
The Transformational Scholars program enables me to develop skills and techniques that will make me a more effective and empathetic educator, and to take those skills back to my community in order to benefit the youth of Eastern North Carolina. I believe that the program is not just investing in me as a Pre-Service Teacher, but also in the lives and outcomes of every student who will enter my classroom.

What is something you look forward to this year?
I look forward to the High-Impact Expo in November, where my Cohort will get to share what makes our communities shine, and ideas we have to make them better.

10/28/2025

Meet Brianna Jackson

Brianna is from Sampson County and is Majoring in Elementary Education. She is also a member of the North Carolina Teaching Fellows, and she loves hanging out with her friends in her free time.

Why did you choose NC State?
It was close to home and N.C. State had the best education program.

Why did you choose teaching?
I love working with kids and trying to make learning enjoyable for kids.

What does the scholarship mean to you?
This scholarship means that I can learn to become a better teacher and get to come back and teach in Eastern North Carolina.

What is something you look forward to this year?
Meeting new friends and going to a lot of events!

10/20/2025

Meet Diana Harper

Diana is from Pamlico County and is majoring in Elementary Education with a Special Education licensure. On campus, she is involved in SAY Village and is looking forward to joining more clubs! She enjoys spending time with friends, reading, shopping, and spending time with family, and wrestling.

Why did you choose NC State?
I chose NC State because I felt like it was a place I could call home. I love the College of Education and all it has to offer, as well as the spirit the Wolfpack has.

Why did you choose teaching?
I chose teaching because I always knew I wanted to work with children. I find joy in seeing them succeed, and I love seeing their faces light up when they understand something.

What does the scholarship mean to you?
This scholarship means so much to me as I am able to come to my dream school without putting myself or my parents into debt. Because of this scholarship, I knew I was set to be a teacher. It’s hard to decide to go into a profession that wouldn’t be able to pay off your student loans, but because of this scholarship, I don’t have to worry about that, and I only have to worry about becoming the best educator I can be.

What is something you look forward to this year?
Something I look forward to this year is getting to grow and learn with my cohort family as well as my scholar family. Most of these people also came from small rural counties and were all working with the same purpose.

10/14/2025

Meet Chloe Hammonds

Chloe is from Robeson County and is Majoring in Elementary education. Her hobbies include painting and listening to music. On campus she is a member of the Canvas Club.

Why did you choose NC State?
I chose NC State for the opportunities and experience.

Why did you choose teaching?
I chose to teach because I want to inspire future students to explore and express themselves through art, just as my teachers inspired me to create it.

What does the scholarship mean to you?
This scholarship is a means to provide support and opportunities for my pathway.

What is something you look forward to this year?
I look forward to participating in student teaching.

10/11/2025

Meet Chris DeSousa.

Chris is from Craven County and is majoring in Technology, Engineering, Design Education with a minor in coaching education. He loves being active, whether it’s in the gym, playing a sport, or being outside. He’s been working on cars and engines for a while, and really enjoys it. He also loves fishing as it is his favorite pastime. On Campus he is a member of the North Carolina Teaching Fellows and is looking to start his own club, the Future Male Educators of NCSU.

Why did you choose NC State?
I chose NC State because it is the number 1 producer of STEM educators in North Carolina, and the opportunities that are available in Raleigh are not found at any other university.

Why did you choose teaching?
I chose teaching because I wanted to make a difference. Teachers are some of the most impactful people in younger people’s lives. So many children grow up without stable and reliable people in their lives, and I want to be that person for my students. Going through school can be rough, and I want to make it better and leave an impact on every kid I possibly can. No job could accomplish this goal of mine like education.

What does the scholarship mean to you?
Being a Transformational Scholar means everything to me. Eastern North Carolina is my home. Being able to return and pay back the communities that have made me into who I am today is a dream of mine I have had for a long time. I cannot wait to impact students like my past teachers have impacted me.

10/10/2025

Meet Elizabeth Cowen.

Elizabeth is from Onlsow County and is studying Elementary Education. On campus, she is a member of SAY Village and the North Carolina Teaching Fellows. Her Hobbies include reading, soccer, and swimming at the beach.

Why did you choose NC State?
I chose NC State because I have always loved the campus, and it provides a great community with ample opportunities for growth.

Why did you choose teaching?
I chose teaching because I want to be a part of making a difference in the youth’s lives and show them the potential that they all have. Education was crucial in my upbringing, and I want to help build that foundation for other children.

What does this scholarship mean to you?
This scholarship not only helps lift the financial burden of college but also reminds me of the belief that this program has in my future. It motivates me every day to continue working hard, and I have a community behind me that truly cares about my success.

What is something you look forward to this year?
I am looking forward to making new friends and gaining more experience that will help me in my future career. I am also excited to grow by stepping outside of my comfort zone and involving myself in the opportunities that are shown to me at NC State.

10/10/2025

Meet Lindsey Cliser.

Lindsey is from Marin County and is studying Elementary Education with a Special Education Add-On. On campus, while being a Transformational Scholar, she’s also a North Carolina Teaching Fellow and a part of the sorority Kappa Alpha Theta. Her hobbies include spending time with family and friends, taking walks with her dog, reading a good book, and petting any animal she sees.

Why did you choose NC State?
I chose NC State because it immediately felt like home. Each person I met during the process was incredibly supportive and had only positive things to say about their experience. That welcoming atmosphere made me confident that it was the right place for me to grow and succeed.

Why did you choose teaching?
I chose teaching because of my freshman year English teacher and from interning in the special education classroom at my school. That teacher showed me what it truly means to love what you do and who you do it for. Interning in the special education classroom was a deeply rewarding experience that taught me the importance of patience, understanding, and making a real difference in students’ lives.

What does the scholarship mean to you?
The Transformational Scholarship means so much to me because it supports the journey of becoming a teacher who can truly make a difference. A transformative teacher is someone who inspires, empowers, and changes lives in meaningful ways. This scholarship allows me to work toward becoming that kind of educator for my future students.

What is something you look forward to this year?
During my first year, I look forward to gaining hands-on experience through field placements and learning from real classroom environments. I’m excited to build meaningful connections with students, teachers, and peers that will support me both personally and professionally. It’s a chance to put what I’ve learned into practice and start making a positive impact.

10/02/2025

Meet Heily Avila Ponce
Heily is From Sampson County and is Majoring in Elementary Education. On Campus, she is also involved in Say Village and is a member of the North Carolina Teaching Fellows. In her free time, she loves reading, sewing, painting, and baking.

Why did you choose NC State?
NC State kept me close to the people that complete me. It gave me the opportunity to study at a wonderful school without worrying about the financial aspect of it.

Why did you choose teaching?
I chose teaching because of a student whose face and name I will never forget. After meeting her, I realized that I had such a strong desire to be there for the children who might not have the magical childhood that I was so fortunate to experience. It was planted in my head that if I had the ability to be part of a child’s happy memories, I would do everything in my power to ensure they were happy, safe, and excited to go back to school.

What does the scholarship mean to you?
This scholarship means that my hardworking parents get to see their daughter become “una maestra.” It means my brother gets to see his sister go to a huge university and realize that if she can do it, he is more than capable of conquering any and every dream he may have. This scholarship highlights all the people who have blind faith in me to get this degree and start cultivating little minds.

What is something you look forward to this year?
I look forward to integrating myself little by little into life at NC State.

09/25/2025

Meet McKenna Branch

McKenna is from Edgecombe County and is studying Middle Grades Language Arts and Social Studies with a minor in History. On Campus, she is a part of the University Honors program, SAY village, and wants to get more involved in Multicultural Student Affairs and Black Students Board. She really enjoys painting and cooking. Fun fact, she actually painted her own dorm decor, and her favorite meal that she’s cooked so far is Meatballs and rice.

Why did you choose NC State?
I chose NC State because they had a good education program and also the Leadership Institute for Future Teachers (LIFT), which I attended the summer going into my senior year, also played a role. LIFT allowed me to see NC State on a different level and allowed me to meet many wonderful people within the College of Ed before I even made my choice on which school I wanted to attend. NC State may be a really big campus, but being in the College of Education makes it feel like I’m a part of a big family that can help me navigate through different things pertaining to campus.

Why did you choose teaching?
I chose teaching because I would like to be the change that I’d like to see in the world. As a teacher, you have an impact on the world because you impact the students who’ll eventually go out into the real world. I hope to be a teacher whom students can count on and help my students feel supported and like they matter, because to me, they will always matter. I’d really say that I knew teaching was for me when I got the opportunity to work with 8th-grade students at South Edgecombe Middle School. That’s what really solidified my position within the education field because I was able to get real-world experience

What does the scholarship mean to you?
This scholarship means to me that my potential was seen and that the people within Transformational were willing to take a chance on me and back me in going to school to pursue an education in a field that I enjoy. This scholarship is really beneficial, and I’m really grateful for the opportunity.

This year, she’s looking forward to getting more involved on campus and meeting new people

NCSU Transformational Scholars

11/07/2025

11/06/2025

10/31/2025

10/29/2025

10/28/2025

10/20/2025

10/14/2025

10/11/2025

10/10/2025

10/10/2025

10/02/2025

09/25/2025

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Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm