EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (May 5, 2026) – Every graduate has a story. Their stories are filled with perseverance, purpose and pride. Aggie Pride. 

On Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9, nearly 2,000 students will receive graduate and undergraduate degrees during North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University's spring graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremonies respectively. 

Each of those graduates have poured over class work, delivered presentations, collaborated on group projects, conducted research, led student organizations, excelled on the field, marched in the band and countless other activities. 

These soon to be graduates have excelled academically, professionally, and personally. They have navigated challenges, seized opportunities and left their mark on the university community.

While there are countless stories to be told, below are just a few of their stories, shared in their own words. Discover more in the days leading up to commencement weekend, on the university’s special commencement website and on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Jaylyn Carter - Nursing

"My journey to becoming a nurse has been anything but easy. At the center of my story is my sister. She had dreams of becoming a nurse, dreams that were taken from her far too soon. In the midst of that loss, I made a quiet promise to myself: I would carry her dream forward…

During my sophomore year of college in 2023, I experienced another life-altering loss my aunt, who was one of my greatest supporters and like a second mother to me.

It was in that season of grief that my passion for oncology nursing was born…I knew then that I wanted to be that source of comfort and care for others. Two years later, I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to California as a research scholar, where I conducted research focused on pediatric oncology.

My journey through nursing school has not been perfect. There were moments where I questioned if I would make it…But through it all, my faith in God sustained me.

I am not just graduating as a nursing student I am graduating as a testament to perseverance, faith, and purpose. I carry with me the legacy of my sister and my aunt, and I step into this profession with a heart committed to making a difference. Becoming a nurse is not just my achievement it is theirs too.