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NC State University announces fourth cohort of Transformational Scholars

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Courtesy of North Carolina State University's College of Education

Fourteen students have been selected to join NC State University’s fourth cohort of the Transformational Scholarships Program, which provides scholarships to students from eastern North Carolina who commit to return to the region to teach after graduation from the university’s College of Education, according to a Sept. 2 press release.

The program gives students a minimum of $40,000 over four years of their college education. Specific scholarship levels are based on students’ financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  

“Each of these future educators carries a deep connection to Eastern North Carolina. Their commitment to return home to teach in the communities that helped shape them will make a lasting difference for local students,” said Allison Mitchall, the NC State College of Education’s assistant dean for student success, in the press release. “We are excited and proud to have them in our incoming class.”

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Students also receive direct mentoring from faculty and education leaders from eastern North Carolina, as well as the chance to join several educational learning experiences — including field experiences, summer work, teaching opportunities, and more. 

Students can also access additional funds for professional development purposes, such as study abroad programs or participation in conferences. 

Other than being admitted to NC State as first-year students, eligibility requirements for the program include a demonstrated financial need, being a resident of an eastern North Carolina county, a commitment to returning to teach in that region, and dedication to equitable education and the teaching profession.

This is the fourth cohort to join the program, with students representing nine eastern counties — Brunswick, Craven, Cumberland, Edgecombe, Martin, Onslow, Pamlico, Robeson, and Sampson — across several education-related majors.

Christopher DeSousa, one of the cohort’s members from Craven County, said he wants to become a STEM educator in the area he calls home.

“If I manage to impact the life of one kid there, that will be a drop in the bucket compared to how much this community has done for me,” DeSousa said.

The 14 students’ bios are available here or in the below document.

TransformationalScholarsCohort4BiosDownload

The Transformational Scholars program began in 2021 thanks to a $7.25 million grant from the Anonymous Trust, a philanthropic organization supporting eastern North Carolina since 2011, with the goal to prepare 100 teachers for the region.

With this fourth cohort, the program will have enrolled 66 future teachers.

“Through the preparation they will receive in our college, these aspiring teachers will go on to transform the lives of those children and youth they teach,” said Mary Ann Danowitz, dean of the university’s College of Education when the program was announced in 2021. “What’s more, as these Transformational Scholars become part of the change agent educational workforce of Eastern North Carolina, they will deepen the collective impact of teachers and administrative leaders working together to strengthen and lift up entire schools and communities.”

You can learn more about the program on NC State’s website.

Editor’s note: The Anonymous Trust supports the work of EdNC.