$300K in Scholarships Headed to N.C. A&T’s CEd Through Tom Joyner Foundation Partnership    Tonya Dixon
The College of Education (CEd) at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has partnered with the Tom Joyner Foundation Inc. through the Tom Joyner Teacher Quality Initiative (TQI). The partnership, valued at $300,000 will provide 50 scholarships for individuals with bachelor’s degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to pursue a Master of Arts in teaching at North Carolina A&T.

This award will increase the number of highly qualified STEM high school teachers produced for public schools in Alamance-Burlington Schools, Davidson County Schools, Guilford County Schools, and Randolph County Schools.

“Faculty and staff in the College of Education are extremely excited about our partnership with the Tom Joyner Foundation as it provides funding for prospective graduate candidates who want to teach STEM content in our public schools in the Piedmont Triad area,” said Dr. Anthony Graham, dean of the College of Education.

TQI is a collaborative partnership with historically black colleges and universities to help remove the barriers for individuals striving to obtain their initial teaching certification. The partnership with N.C. A&T initiates a new approach for this initiative as it focuses intentionally on producing classroom teachers with master’s degrees who have strong content knowledge, enhanced cultural competence, and diverse teaching skills; whereas, in years past TQI placed a strong emphasis on helping HBCU students obtain undergraduate degrees.

“This award will provide scholarship funds to highly-qualified graduate candidates who pursue Master of Arts in Teaching STEM for high-need schools in our immediate community who truly desire to positively impact student learning. As a college, we are committed to equity, access, and advocacy as we strive to prepare teacher leaders who will produce career and college-ready high school students,” adds Graham.

In 2016, CEd was awarded a $3.6 million grant to increase the number of highly qualified teachers produced for high-need K-12 public schools in rural communities.

The TQI initiative coupled with A&T's rural residency program, provides CEd the necessary funding to strengthen its capacity and quality of STEM-oriented graduate degree programs, the ability to credential highly-qualified teachers for rural areas and the number of overall graduate student enrollment.

The College of Education at North Carolina A&T State University offers the MAT degree in 13 disciplines, among them biology, chemistry, mathematics and technology education.

Recent college graduates, current lateral entry STEM teachers, paraprofessionals, and individuals who may be interested in changing their current career are encouraged to contact the College of Education to learn more about this partnership at collegeofed@ncat.edu or call 336-334-7757.
N.C. A&T Enrolls Largest Student Body Ever With Growth at All Levels
Tiffany S. Jones
EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Aug. 30, 2017) -- Enrollment at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University surged to 11,877 in the fall term that just began, expanding the student body to its largest size ever and adding significantly to a growth trend that began in 2013, school officials announced Wednesday.

The growth rate this fall of 6.3 percent means that over the past five years, N.C. A&T has added more than 1,300 students in direct response to A&T Preeminence 2020, the institution’s strategic plan, which A&T began implementing in 2011. That document calls for the Land Grant university to expand to an overall enrollment of 13,500 over the next three years.

This fall alone adds 700 students to A&T’s overall headcount – one of the single biggest increases in A&T history – and almost certainly cements the university’s status as America’s largest historically black college or university, a status it has held since 2014.

“The growth we’re experiencing this fall illustrates how much students, parents and families want to be part of the North Carolina A&T experience,” said Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr. “We deliver an education that not only prepares our students for rewarding careers in an increasingly competitive global marketplace, we deeply value each and every individual who entrusts us with that responsibility. Our students know that their success matters here.”

The university’s growth was driven in large part by 2,309 new freshmen, the largest first-year class in N.C. A&T history, as well as its most academically accomplished, with an average GPA of 3.51, average SAT score of 1,023 and average ACT of 20.

And that’s not all. The university also enrolled 822 new transfer students, up from 730 last year, and 1,536 students at the masters and doctoral levels, up from 1,509 last year. Rated a doctoral university with higher research activity by the Carnegie Foundation, A&T offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a wide breadth of disciplines, with nationally recognized strengths in STEM education.

A&T’s enrollment growth comes not only in the university’s traditional student base, but in all other racial and ethnic demographics. While 78 percent of this fall’s student body is African American, the remaining 22 percent represent other races and ethnicities. About 7 percent of this year’s student body is white, a little more than 4 percent is Hispanic and over 3 percent are international students from a wide range of racial and ethnic backgrounds.

University leaders say prospective students are increasingly drawn by educational opportunities at A&T in programs such as Engineering, Nursing and Biology, as well as by the return on investment for an A&T education. Earlier this year, for instance, the compensation analysis firm PayScale released data showing that A&T graduates earn more right out of school than those of all but one other North Carolina public university.

A&T’s relentless drive toward fulfillment of Preeminence 2020 is resulting in some of the plan’s goals already being realized, three years ahead of schedule. For instance, the strategic plan set an undergraduate enrollment goal of 10,000 by 2020, which the university has now surpassed, with 10,341 undergrads enrolled this fall.

Another goal calls for A&T to award 500 degrees annually across science, technology, engineering and math disciplines. Last year, the university awarded more than 660.

The university is not only growing by attracting new students, but by retaining those already enrolled. The percentage of first-year students who continued this fall from the 2016 cohort, for instance, increased by 3.5 percent in the cohort for the prior year.

To accommodate the university’s planned expansion, A&T is adding to its campus facilities. Under construction since 2014, the 150,000-square foot Student Center will open in the spring, providing a new home for student services, organizations, meeting rooms and amenities in a complex that will be the campus’s largest building.

Later this fall, demolition will begin to make way for the $90-million Engineering Research and Innovation Complex (ERIC), a facility made possible by the Connect NC bond referendum that voters passed in 2016. ERIC will be the primary home for the A&T College of Engineering, which already produces more African American engineers than any university in the nation.

Other facilities are due to be built or renovated in coming years, including additional student housing. Likewise, the university is planning additional degree programs that will further diversity its academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

“This is truly an exciting time to be an Aggie,” Martin said. “We are witnessing the benefits of the hard work invested by our faculty, staff, students and alumni, as well as the guidance of our Board of Trustees and the investment of our private supporters. And there’s much more work to be done.”
 
JSNN Dean Steps Down
Tiffany S. Jones
GREENSBORO, N.C. (August 25, 2017) – After a decade of service to the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, founding dean, Dr. James Ryan is stepping down.

In a memorandum, Ryan announced his plan to leave at the conclusion of the 2017-18 academic year, take a year of transition leave during the 2018-19 year and return to North Carolina A&T State University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro as a professor of nanoscience.

Ryan was appointed to deanship of the Joint School in 2008. Since then, four degree programs have been established, including a M.S. and a Ph.D. in nanoengineering and a professional science master’s and Ph.D. in nanoscience. Under Ryan’s leadership, JSNN has become a site in the National Science Foundation’s National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure program, developed a core lab model to aid N.C. A&T and UNCG researchers and provided technical outreach to various companies in the Piedmont Triad region.

Prior to his appointment at JSNN, Ryan served as the vice president of technology at Albany Nanotech and the associate vice president of technology and professor of nanoscience at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering at the University at Albany, now the State University of New York Polytechnic. Prior to that, he had a 25-year career as an innovator and executive with IBM.

A national search for the next dean will begin this academic year, details to be announced later this fall.

About North Carolina A&T State University
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is the nation's largest historically black university. Classified a “higher research” university by the Carnegie Foundation, it is a land-grant member of the University of North Carolina System. A&T is known for its leadership in producing graduates in engineering, agriculture and other STEM fields. The university was founded in 1891 and is located in Greensboro, North Carolina.
 
N.C. A&T Student Selected as Retailer Ashley Stewart's First Leadership Scholarship Recipient
Tiffany S. Jones
Greensboro, N.C. (Aug. 24, 2017) - North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University sophomore and College of Business and Economics student, Lydeah Kearse is the inaugural winner of the Ashley Stewart Leadership Scholarship. The international retailer will award Kearse the $10,000 scholarship in September in Brooklyn, New York.

In April, N.C. A&T and the company launched an initiative to help empower women through education, which included a scholarship awarded to a female student who exemplifies strong leadership skills in the business and economics disciplines and who demonstrates stewardship in her community.

Kearse will be honored during the “Finding Ashley Stewart 2017” finale where the winner of the inaugural competition will be announced on Sept. 16, 2017 at Kings Theatre. Multi-platinum singing group, En Vogue will headline the event that will also feature performances by the Brooklyn United Marching Band, New Jersey's legendary 'Xinos Step Team', as well as teen Hip Hop dancer Amanda LaCount, who has appeared on Dancing with the Stars. Guest judges include Erin Brady, Gwen DeVoe, Carl Banks, Kym Hampton, Vivian Scott Chew. Special remarks will come from Marc Morial and the event will be hosted by actor and model, Boris Kodjoe.

Per the scholarship requirements, Kearse submitted an application and essay describing how she demonstrates leadership qualities. After being identified as one of 10 finalists, it was her one-minute personal video that resonated with the Ashley Stewart team.

“Growing up and competing nationally [as a dancer], I found that the lack of diversity in dance was common everywhere,” Kearse said in the video. “I believe leadership is emulating the change that you want to see through action. I led by example to show young black girls that the dance world is a place for them. I will continue my leadership by expanding representation of all races in the dance world. With my passion and opportunities like the Ashley Stewart scholarship, I know I can make my dreams a reality.”

Upon the launch of the Ashley Stewart Scholarship initiative with N.C. A&T, Ashley Stewart executive chairman and CEO, James Rhee, hosted a private equity workshop on the university’s campus for students to learn how to manage money and invest in consumer brands.

The launch also included a fireside chat with Rhee and Patricia Miller Zollar, managing director at Neuberger Berman, as well as a personal branding seminar. Both were broadcast live on Facebook thanks to a partnership with iOne Digital.

Founded in 1991 in Brooklyn, New York, Ashley Stewart is a global fashion and lifestyle brand that stands for uncompromising style, fashion, fit and empowerment for the woman who flaunts her curves.

About North Carolina A&T State University
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is the nation's largest historically black university. Classified a “higher research” university by the Carnegie Foundation, it is a land-grant member of the University of North Carolina System. A&T is known for its leadership in producing graduates in engineering, agriculture and other STEM fields. The university was founded in 1891 and is located in Greensboro, North Carolina.

About Ashley Stewart
Ashley Stewart is a global fashion and lifestyle brand that stands for uncompromising style, fashion, fit & empowerment for the woman who flaunts her curves. Ashley Stewart has captured the hearts and minds of curvy women since its founding in 1991 in Brooklyn, New York. Today, Ashley Stewart offers the hottest looks with 90 stores across the United States, a rapidly growing e-commerce presence at www.ashleystewart.com, as well as an industry leading social media presence @byashleystewart and growing multimedia arm at AshleyTV. Ashley Stewart stands for uncompromising style, fashion, fit and empowerment for the trend-savvy woman who flaunts her curves. From the perfect pair of jeans, churchflow dresses, smoking hot outfits, and #DaretoBare intimates, Ashley Stewart has you covered. http://www.ashleystewart.com
 
Transportation Institute at N.C. A&T to Commemorate 25 Years of National Model Program

Greensboro, N.C. (July 27, 2017) - College of Business and Economics(COBE) at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University will celebrate 25 years hosting its Summer Transportation Institute on Friday, Aug. 4, at noon, in the Alumni-Foundation Event Center.

The event will acknowledge and feature former and current participants in the program, as well as commemorate COBE and N.C. A&T's place in history as the first university nationally to offer the program to students. Virginia Tsu, director of the National Summer Transportation program, from the Federal Highway Administration will deliver the keynote address.

The long-running program was highlighted in 2002 by the federal government for its inaugural and model program. Subsequently, funding also became available through federal subsidy.

The annual 5-week Transportation Institute provides rising junior and senior high school students an up-close, inside perspective of the various types of careers open to them as potential transportation and supply chain majors.

"We try to expose students to career opportunities and academic options in the field of transportation, said Deborah Underwood, program manager of the Transportation Institute and director of the Summer Transportation Institute.

"Most kids, if asked about Transportation, always come up with bus or truck driver. They don't know the vast areas of transportation they can be employed in. We steer them toward professional careers in transportation."

From strategic sourcing specialists, logistics, city planning and more, the institute teaches students about numerous career paths and the companies that could potentially hire them like Bank of America or even the CIA. Every major firm or company has a transportation department, says Underwood. In the past, companies such as Dow Chemical and Caterpillar have been spotlighted and lauded as sources of funding for the program.

A maximum of 20 students are accepted into the institute annually. Each student must have at least a 2.5 GPA, submit an essay, an application and two letters of recommendation to be eligible for the program.

The rewards are extremely beneficial for selected participants, says Underwood. In addition to the transportation knowledge and experience the students gain, they are also enrolled in a freshman English course that can be applied to their college transcripts at A&T or at another university.