Message From our Deans!
Dear NCCU Family,
Welcome to the Year in Review: School of Education Highlights! At North Carolina Central University, our dedication to fostering excellence, cultivating culturally responsive educators, and advancing student-centered success remains steadfast. This comprehensive edition reflects on the incredible achievements and initiatives from the past year, showcasing the exceptional work of our faculty, students, and community partners. Going forward, our newsletter will offer periodical updates, keeping you informed, engaged, and inspired by the ways our Eagle family continues to soar in education and beyond. Rooted in the esteemed legacy of HBCU excellence, this issue sets the stage for ongoing stories of growth and success at NCCU's School of education in the following sections:
Grants
We are proud of our faculty and students who secure funding to enhance educational opportunities. In this section, you will discover details about recently awarded grants, innovative projects they support, and how these resources enrich learning experiences for our community.
Community Service
Service lies at the core of our mission. This section celebrates our students, faculty, and staff who dedicate their time to uplifting local and global communities. Learn how our Eagle family embodies the spirit of social responsibility through impactful service initiatives.
Faculty Work
Our faculty lead the way in academic excellence through publications, presentations, and innovative research. Here, we spotlight their latest achievements and contributions that inspire intellectual growth and global awareness.
Student Highlights
We take immense pride in our students' accomplishments both inside and outside the classroom. This section highlights exceptional Eagles whose hard work, leadership, and commitment to making a difference exemplify the values of our institution.
Upcoming Opportunities
Education extends beyond the classroom, and we are dedicated to providing access to enriching experiences. Stay informed about time sensitive information like upcoming fellowships, scholarships, conferences, and other valuable opportunities designed to support your academic and professional journey. As we chart new landscapes for student-centered success, let us remember that excellence is the key to all achievements. Together, through collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to making the world a better place, we will continue to soar to new heights.
Thank you for being an integral part of the NCCU School of Education community. I look forward to the continued success we will achieve together.
In Eagle Pride and Service,
Dr. Audrey W. Beard,
Dean, School of Education,
North Carolina Central University
Dear NCCU Family,
It is both a privilege and a joy to join Dean Beard in welcoming you to our newly formatted newsletter. While the dean has eloquently outlined our commitment to excellence and student success, I want to take this opportunity to emphasize the incredible community that makes these achievements possible. Behind every grant awarded, community project launched, and classroom innovation implemented are dedicated faculty, passionate students, and supportive partners who believe in the transformative power of education.
As you explore this newsletter, I encourage you to consider how you can engage with the School of Education beyond reading these stories. Whether through mentoring a student, collaborating on research, or participating in community outreach, there are countless ways for each of us to contribute to the legacy of NCCU. Our work is not just about individual accomplishments, it’s about how those accomplishments uplift our communities and inspire future generations.
Finally, let us not forget the unique spirit of our HBCU heritage. We are a family bound by a shared purpose and a commitment to justice for all, intellectual growth, and cultural pride. This newsletter is more than a source of information, it is a testament to the resilience, brilliance, and unity that define the NCCU School of Education. Together, we are not just preparing for the future; we are actively shaping it.
In partnership and service,
Dr. Jeffrey Warren,
Associate Dean, School of Education,
North Carolina Central University
$128,641 Grant Addressing Opioid Use!
Congratulations to Dr. Karlesia Montague for grant approval to address opioid use among youth and young adults in Wake County!
This project aims to address the misuse of opioids by the youth population of Wake County through the use of youth focus groups to identify the needs, challenges, and barriers faced by this population, allowing the county to support the health of future generations!
$647,757 Grant! Red-E-2-Teach
Red-E-2-Teach (Ready to Teach) is a great opportunity for undergraduates to get full financial support while completing their degree. This grant provided by the Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence has secured $647,757 to help fully support students while pursuing their degree. When we say full support, we mean it! Childcare? It can cover it! Think non-paid student teaching is not the move? We do too, this opportunity will provide a stipend for you! Please contact Dr. Jeffrey Warren for more information!
Central Carolina Principal Preparation Program (CCP3)
In collaboration with the Central Carolina Regional Educational Service Alliance (CCRESA), Dr. Gibbs-Roseboro and Dr. Harris have been approved funding for a principal preparation program starting in 2026 through 2032! Stay tuned for more information!
$1,500,000 Grant for Aspiring Principals
Sad news! Due to grants being cut at the federal level, this opportunity is no longer available as of the end of February. However, we want to still include it, to highlight our staff who continue to work hard and bring opportunities like this to our Eagles in the SOE. So thank you Associate Dean Jeffrey Warren, Derek Cooper, and Dr. Gibbs-Roseboro for your efforts! To see what this grant offered, keep scrolling!
If your plan is to become a principal and serve a district that's often overlooked and underestimated, then this is for you! NCCU and the Innovation Project (TIP) have partnered to create a scholarship aimed to recruit, promote and retain highly effective eagles looking to complete a Master of School Administration (MSA) through our online program.
ECE CDFT Eagles Host Food Drive at Fayetteville St. Elementary!
Special shout out to our ECE CDFR (Early Childhood Education Child Development Family Relations) Eagles for putting together this food drive at Fayetteville St. Elementary! They are a wonderful representation for NCCU's School of Education and also an inspiration! If you would like to join this group in service and fellowship, please email Dr. Glass in the School of Education for more information!
M.T.I. Reading at The Whitted School!
Not to be outdone are our Marathon Teaching Institute (M.T.I.) young men stressing the importance of education by volunteering to read to PreK children at the Whitted School! The faculty and children are always excited when they come! M.T.I. has also volunteered at Lyons Elementary and Burton Magnet Elementary School (to name a few) showing children what the power of male educators looks like! For more information about M.T.I., contact Ms. Freda Hicks
M.T.I. Workshop for High School Students!
Picking up where we left off, M.T.I. coordinated a workshop for high school students! Presentation topics included managing heavy workloads and stress, how to develop a "professional you", and the challenges of self-identity; finding a circle you belong to. Lunch was provided and the workshop came to a close with a panel of M.T.I. Eagles discussing college life with a Q and A session for students to ask any lingering questions. Thank you to the Nixon-Thorpe Psychology Club, Sanai Price, Kelvin Chadwick, and Dr. Kevin Bullock for presenting at this workshop. More pictures below!
Dr. Tryan L. McMickens Working Smart AND Hard!
If I listed everything Dr. McMickens has been up to recently, this entire newsletter wouldn't have room for anyone else! That said, here are a few accomplishments he's been up to lately: Dr. McMickens has two recent book publications, one on supporting the mental health needs of black men in higher education, and another on providing a holistic approach to supporting black male college students' mental health.
He's been hard at work with contributions to book chapters as well; one serving as a guide to prepare higher education administrators with emergency and crisis management skills and another on providing solutions to the college retention problem, with a focus on black students at HBCUs and Latinx students at HSIs.
Dr. McMickens is also responsible for the "Tuesdays Together National Speaker Series". Tuesdays Together is a community building event that brings graduate students in the higher education administration program together with faculty across the School of Education to learn perspectives from thought leaders throughout the field of education. Since joining the NCCU faculty in 2021, more than 30 renowned leaders in the field of higher education across the country have been a part of the series!
In recognition of his hard work, he has received several awards! He received NCCU's Excellence in Teaching award for his "dedication, innovation, and passion for enhancing the online learning experience." In addition, Dr. McMickens traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana to receive the American Association of University Administrators John Blackburn Exemplary Higher Education Model Award. This award honors "exemplary leadership in higher education, recognizing creative solutions to common challenges faced by institutions." Bravo!
SNCAE Students Take Charge: Leadership Training in Alabama
Under the guidance of Dr. TaVshea Smith (pictured above), advisor of SNCAE, SNCAE members attended an HBCU student organizing training in Montgomery, Alabama. Hosted by the National Education Association (NEA), this training provided valuable skills and insights to enhance their leadership and organizing capabilities as educators.
Accompanied by our SNCAE statewide organizer, Christi Broadway, these students gained essential experience. We are proud to have Khaliyah Campbell (ECE-CDFR major), Eric Dortas (Elementary Education major), and Sydni Smith (ECE major), representing NCCU SNCAE at this important event. Their participation underscores SNCAE's commitment to fostering strong, capable educational leaders within the education community.
Dr. Yolanda L Dunston Presenting at the Duke Center for Community Engagement Launch Event!
The panel provided an overview of the Southeast Regional Coalition for University-Assisted Community Schools, including its connection to Dr. Dunston’s inter-institutional research course with NCCU and Duke students who are studying ways both universities can support local community schools.
Congratulations to Trent Stamer, Winner of the Graduate and Undergraduate Research Symposium!
In March, the University hosted the Graduate and Undergraduate Research Symposium, Eagles Vision: Seeing Beyond Academic Boundaries. There were several poster presentations (i.e. Psychology) of which our own Trent Stamer submitted an entry called Examining Client Access, Satisfaction, and Wellness at NCCU’s Eagle Counseling Clinic. Congratulations to Trent for winning first place for the Behavioral and Social Sciences category. He made us PROUD! Counselor Education Program Represent!!
Dr. Jennifer Barrow Presented for DPS school counselors, social workers, and career development coordinators.
Entitled "Powerful Leaders from the Outside In", Dr. Barrow highlighted the obstacles to leadership, the types of power that exist in organizations, and how school stakeholders need each other to make an impact. As a former teacher, I can't stress enough the importance of needing all stakeholders to be involved to make a significant impact!
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I was born in Fayetteville, NC. I am the youngest of 3 children (myself, Gabe & DJ) to my amazing mom Calita Dawkins. I am a senior history student with a concentration in comprehensive social studies (this is my first year in the Teacher Ed Program).
Currently, I have a 3.7 GPA and am involved with several organizations on campus such as, Marathon Teaching Institute (MTI), Undergraduate Teaching Fellow (UTF), and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
What attracted you to attend NCCU?
There were a few important people in my life that attended North Carolina Central University like my aunt and high school football coach. In addition, I have other family and friends that expressed their love for NCCU to me. Lastly, my experience at SOAR (shoutout to Kennedy Goodwin my SOAR leader) that put the icing on the cake.
Although university life can present unique challenges, many hardships are roadblocks in all students' journey to success. How have you persevered through these challenges? What's driving you to be successful and knock down those obstacles?
For me, I always think about where I come from. I know many people, even close friends who do not have the opportunity to experience the things I have thus far and I know that it is all a blessing for me. Someone once told me that “pressure is a privilege because it means things are expected of you & that if it was easy, everyone would be doing it”. I am well aware that not everyone comes face to face with those pressures so I do my best to embrace them and make the most of every opportunity presented to me.
Talk about your experiences thus far being a SOE Eagle at NCCU!
My first day in the School of Education was amazing. It felt right at home and everyone was very welcoming. Faculty and staff told me I had their full support with anything I’d encounter during my journey here at NCCU and I’d say they’ve done more than stand on that promise. Special shout out to Ms. Freda Hicks, Dean Beard, and Ms. Kia Eason as well as everyone else who has been a part of the ride!
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Waldorf, MD. I have 2 siblings, an older brother and a younger sister. I am a 3rd Year Early Childhood Education major studying to become a Kindergarten teacher. Some of my interests include cooking, watching sports games, and going on nature walks.
Currently I have a 3.9 GPA and am immersed in many different aspects of campus life here at NCCU. The organizations I am active in are the University Honors Program as Junior Class Representative, Early Childhood Education/ Child Development Family Relations Student Area Group (or ECE/CDFR Group) as Vice President, Student North Carolina Association of Educators, Future Educators of Tomorrow as Event Coordinator, NCCU Education Advisor Council, and The Track & Field Student Manager.
In my time here I have received awards such as: NCCU Chancellor's Cycle of Success Scholarship, NCCU Track and Field Eagle Excellence Award, 2022- 2023 A Honor Roll, 2023-2024 Honor Roll-Dean's List, and Alpha Kappa Mu Honors Society.
What attracted you to attend NCCU?
For one, I chose NCCU because it was an HBCU. My family on both my mom and dad's side come from a long line of HBCU graduates. I wanted to continue the legacy of attending and graduating from an amazing HBCU. When I toured NCCU, I immediately fell in love with the campus and its prime location within the Durham Triangle, offering incredible opportunities to collaborate with both Duke and UNC. Since attending this HBCU, I have gained so many opportunities and experiences I will forever be grateful alongside the mentors and professors who have helped shape and put me in the position to be successful.
Although university life can present unique challenges, many hardships are roadblocks in all students' journey to success. How have you persevered through these challenges? What's driving you to be successful and knock down those obstacles?
Throughout my college journey, I have faced numerous unexpected obstacles and challenges. In response, I have made it a priority to take a step back to gather myself, spend some quiet time with God, and develop a new plan of action to overcome the challenge. In addition, I have found it extremely helpful to plan my weekdays in advance. Keeping a calendar nearby has proven invaluable in helping me manage assignments, events, and campus activities without feeling overwhelmed. This has taught me the significance of pacing myself and spreading tasks out, allowing me to approach each one with consistent effort and focus.
Talk about your experiences thus far being a SOE Eagle at NCCU!
My time in the School of Education at NCCU has provided me with numerous opportunities that I have tried to take full advantage of. This past summer along with MTI and my fellow ECE/CDFR peers, I completed an internship as a STEM camp counselor for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students in Durham, NC. This was an amazing experience where I was able to introduce STEM concepts to students through storytelling, visuals, and playful interactive objects. I was also able to meet other education majors, create new connections, build relationships with my professors/faculty and attend the International Society for Technology in Education Conference in Denver, Colorado. Currently, I am part of the SRCUACS undergraduate research team in partnership with Duke for the first time. As a collective, we work to explore, enhance, and advance policy for the expansion of community schools in partnership with Durham universities. The School of Education and NCCU have been invaluable to my professional growth and I'm proud to call myself an Eagle!
Rising to the top!
RISE is a transformative opportunity for rising juniors through graduating seniors who are passionate about education. Participants engage in high-impact research focused on African American and Latino students across the Pre-K to university spectrum. With free summer housing on NCCU’s campus and a year-round stipend, this long-standing fellowship offers a unique chance to collaborate with expert faculty, expand your professional network, and explore critical issues in educational equity and culturally responsive teaching right here at NCCU!
We Love Our Veterans!
If you were a military veteran or transitioning servicemember as of July 1st, 2025, this opportunity may have been for you. Scholarship America partnered with our veterans to award one hundred $10,000 scholarships to eligible applicants, in an impactful effort to support those who’ve served as they pursue their next chapter.
9th Annual Let's Talk Racism Conference!
Created by We Are (Working to Extend Anti-Racist Education, Inc.), the 9th Annual Let’s Talk Racism Conference was held in March at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University in Greensboro. Centered on the theme “Making Space for Today's Voices: The Student Movement,” the event brought together educators, students, parents, and community members committed to dismantling systemic racism in education.
This year’s conference featured dynamic sessions that explored the impact of systemic racism in K–12 education and strategies for meaningful change. A highlight of the event was a powerful keynote panel featuring Bellen Woodard, a 13-year-old entrepreneur, author, and CEO who launched Bellen’s More Than Peach Project at the age of 8. Her voice and vision inspired all in attendance and perfectly embodied the conference's student-centered focus.
We are proud to share that several NCCU students from the School of Education not only attended but also volunteered at the conference, demonstrating their dedication to equity and justice in education. Their presence and engagement reflected the true spirit of Eagle Excellence, and we celebrate their contributions to such an impactful day of learning and advocacy.
The 145th Commencement Exercises for the School of Education took place in McDougald-McLendon Arena, with undergraduate students walking on Friday, May 9, and graduate students on Saturday, May 10. We proudly celebrated a new group of Eagles who completed their journey with resilience, excellence, and purpose. Each graduate embodies the heart of our mission and the promise of lasting impact in classrooms, schools, and communities around the world!
Thank you to Dr. Beckwith (Far Left), Dr. Harris (Center Right), and Dr. Gold (Far Right) for planning and executing such a wonderful event! There literally was not an empty seat in the entire auditorium! We are profoundly thankful to Mrs. Turquoise LeJeune Parker our Guest Speaker (Center Left), for delivering a message that ignited hearts and minds at our ceremony. Her work in our communities and her bold leadership stand as a testament to the power, purpose, and pride that come from being an Eagle!
Thank you to the phenomenal NCCU Jazz Instrumental and Vocal Ensemble for gracing our ceremony with such soulful and inspiring performances. Your artistry embodied the rhythm, pride, and brilliance that make our Eagle community soar!
Lastly, thank you to Dr. Audrey Beard, Dr. Smallwood, Dr. Ahmed, Dr. Roughen, Dr. Underwood, and the office of the Provost/Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs for your thoughtful words, unwavering support, and commitment to celebrating the next generation of educators. Your presence and encouragement helped make this ceremony a truly meaningful and memorable moment in the lives of our graduates!
As some Eagle's journey with us ends, some begin. The School of Education wants to take a moment and welcome: Mariah Abernathy, Parris Adkins, Myra Artis, Kiya Berry, Arianna Foster-Brown, Jordan Gladden, J'ayajah Harry, Kyasiah Jeter, Autumn Grace King, Tamariah McAfee, Destiny Quick, Amelia Rogers, and Layla Weaks! We are so excited to support you on your transformative journey, to empower you with knowledge and skills to make a meaningful impact in education.
Thank you for choosing us, and thank you for reading our newsletter!
Eagle Pride, Amplified!
Credits:
Created with images by Stockwerk-Fotodesign - "Golden sign with gavel and law books on a desk with grants" • Gosia - "Drug addiction; stop taking so many medications; stack of multi-colored pills with a stop sign" • Dina - "diverse young adult male school principal in his modern office smiling. Education career and staff." • roobcio - "Bad news text on small red card and black background." • Yury Zap - "you matter" • Wan - "are you working smart or hard" • daliu - "Excellence word written on road in the mountains" • STOATPHOTO - "YOUR SUCCESS IS OUR GOAL. Text on torn, colored paper" • nali - "welcome in golden circle stars and black background"