Fall 2024 Commencement Stories

Journey to the Degree: Fall 2024 Graduates Share Their N.C. A&T Stories

As the fall 2024 semester comes to a close at North Carolina A&T hundreds of students are expected to turn their tassels during the university’s graduate and undergraduate ceremonies, Dec. 13 and Dec. 14, respectively. 

The journey has been filled with ups and downs, joy and sorrow, but most of all satisfaction and pride. These soon-to-be alumni share their stories of perseverance, dedication, scholarship and innovation.

While there are hundreds of stories to be told, those shared represent the diverse intellectual climate, entrepreneurial spirit, civic engagement and academic excellence that characterizes the A&T experience. Here are a few of their stories, in their own words. Read more on the university’s Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn pages.
 

Felix Tettey-Engmann

College of Engineering Ph.D. Industrial and Systems Engineering 

A&T has impacted my personal and professional development tremendously. I was born in Ghana, but I moved to the US about 10 years ago. I’ve lived in Michigan, Virginia, Oregon and Greensboro. 

I first heard of A&T through a longtime friend who is an alumnus of A&T too. I moved from Michigan to Greensboro, and I was trying to find my career path. He convinced me to apply to A&T. Getting into A&T exposed me to diversity and to wonderful instructors who nurtured my growth in research. I enrolled without any single history of academic research experience or publication, but I am happy to graduate with major publications and at least 200 citations. 

I first enrolled at A&T as a master’s student in Biomedical Engineering. With guidance from my two advisors, Dr. Narayan Bhattarai and Dr. Salil Desai, I got trained on different equipment and improved in a lot of things, which enabled me to collaborate with other researchers. Now, I’ve earned my Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering. 

I received several awards such as the Outstanding Graduate Student Research Award for Engineering, the Subrata Saha Excellence Award presented to only one graduate student who received the highest score at the Southern Biomedical Engineering Conference in 2022, and I received the most promising student award organized by my department. 

I received an offer, prior to graduating, from Intel Corporation. I hope this serves as motivation to someone who feels empty to know that there is always a storm and that regardless, with determination and guidance, you can always succeed.
 

Jada Mayes

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Mass Media Production 

A&T has felt like a community around me. Like I was protected and safe. It’s been full of opportunities, and I’ve definitely enjoyed it. 

I did dual enrollment when I was in high school, so I graduated with my associates degree. I started off as a business administration major. But it just wasn't for me. And when I was searching to really see what was for me, mass media production stood out. Ever since I was a kid, I loved to make music videos and movie trailers. I feel like I'm very articulate. And people would say I should be on the radio, so I was drawn to artistic expression through media. 

In my search for schools, I was looking forward to joining an HBCU majorette team. But I just didn't really see anybody that looked like me on the teams that I did find. I knew that I was not the only one, because back home I was a part of a very inclusive dance team with other plus size dancers. I knew there were others like me here at A&T who wanted to do the same thing, which was dance. So I created Liquid Gold with a few others. I’ve been dancing since I was 5 years old. It’s always been a major part of my life. 

I’ve dedicated my time at A&T to creating space for empowerment, inclusivity, and self-expression on campus. As the founder of Liquid Gold, the university’s first plus-size dance team, I’ve helped redefine beauty standards and representation in the dance community. Our team gives plus-size students a space where they can fully embrace their artistry and confidence, knowing they are seen and celebrated. Liquid Gold isn’t just about dance; it’s about challenging norms, building community, and showing that everybody belongs on stage.
 

Amber Raiford

Master’s, Cybersecurity

Graduating from North Carolina A&T’s Master of Cybersecurity program is more than just a personal achievement—it’s a defining moment. I’m the first in my family to earn a master’s degree. This journey has been challenging, humbling, and incredibly rewarding. 

Balancing full-time work with a demanding online program taught me resilience, commitment, and the true value of teamwork. With all the ups and downs, one thing that kept me going was knowing I was setting a new path for myself and my family. 

I was fortunate to complete the program debt-free, thanks to tuition assistance from my job and paying out of pocket. It wasn’t always easy, but being able to fund my education this way was empowering and allowed me to stay focused on my studies and career without the worry of looming debt. The program itself challenged me in ways I hadn’t expected. 

After earning my post-baccalaureate certificate in 2023, I realized I wanted to go even deeper. Cybersecurity is a field that demands constant learning. The fully online setup was tough as it required self-discipline and focus, but it also taught me how to communicate and collaborate effectively with others across distances. 

As part of A&T’s first graduating Master’s cybersecurity class, I feel proud to be part of something historic. The knowledge and experiences I’ve gained here have prepared me to step forward in my career with confidence. This degree isn’t just a symbol of academic achievement, it’s a testament to what’s possible with the right support, resilience, and dedication.
 

Christal Johnson

Kinesiology, John R. and Kathy R. Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences 

“My undergraduate journey began six and a half years ago. Prior to attending N.C. A&T, I was pursuing my lifelong dream of becoming a professional dancer. Growing up, dance easily became my identity. When it came time for me to apply to college, I thought that my only path was dance. While my classmates were preparing essays and studying for the SATs, I was in the studio preparing for auditions. When I was accepted into a top program in the heart of Manhattan, I had felt as though I had finally “made it” like my life’s purpose had been fulfilled.” 

However, as soon as I stepped into my first class, I just knew that was not where I was supposed to be. I had lost all sense of purpose. Who was I if not a dancer? During my time off, I worked as an aide to a physical therapy office where I discovered a profession that utilizes my passion for movement to improve other's quality of life. I decided to extend my gap year until I felt called to return to school on a pre-PT track. 

Both of my parents are HBCU grads, and I wanted to share the HBCU experience they loved so much. Restarting my college experience at 21 years old, as a transfer out-of-state student was an experience that I wouldn’t change for the world. I walked into class each day genuinely excited to learn. I joined Pulse 72: Kinesiology Majors Club and served as Pulse’s President for 2 years. 

“This October, I was accepted into my number one physical therapy program and will be making another big move next spring to pursue my dreams. If only I could tell 18-year-old Christal that she is going to be a doctor. As I look back on the ups and downs of my undergraduate journey, I am so grateful it led me to Aggieland. 

As I close the door to this extended chapter of my life, I am eager to see what the next has in store for me. I am so glad I decided to listen to my intuition and have faith in God even when I was not sure where He was taking me. I have gained a new sense of self at A&T, one that is open to change and is no longer tethered to my own expectations. Thank you, A&T for building a lost girl back up and helping her find herself again.” 

Kaiyah Brown

Psychology, John R. and Kathy R. Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences

“Growing up, I was often bullied because of my challenges with speech and comprehension. I was told by peers and educators that it would be best for me to repeat the 7th grade. However, thanks to the unwavering support of my mom and grandma, I was empowered to never give up. Their belief in me pushed me to prove the world wrong, and over time, I worked hard to overcome these challenges.” At N.C. A&T, I’ve stepped outside of my comfort zone in countless ways. 

“During my junior year, I represented A&T as an HBCU White House Scholar. This experience was a powerful reminder of the importance of representation and leadership, and it reinforced my commitment to making a meaningful impact in my community and beyond. 

“I will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and a 3.83 GPA.” Next, I’m pursuing a master's degree in clinical psychology with the goal of becoming a therapist who specializes in creating a safe, welcoming space for people of color. My mission is to empower others the way I was empowered, helping them to find healing and strength through therapy.” 

“I am beyond grateful for N.C. A&T and all that it has helped me become. With God, anything is possible. If I can overcome my challenges, so can anyone else.”