Learning on the Job

For many faculty and staff members, NC State is more than the place they work. It’s the place where they continue their education. 

In celebration of their upcoming graduation, meet five faculty and staff members who will be earning an NC State degree at spring commencement on May 9. Continue reading to learn more about them and what this achievement means to them.

Mary Kate Morgan Lanier

What’s your job title, and where do you work at NC State? 

Academic advisor for the Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)

What degree did you earn? 

Ph.D. in agricultural education and human sciences from CALS

Anything you’d like to say about this achievement? 

“It is true that my ‘heart ever holds you, NC State.’ Since I started as a freshman in the fall of 2016, NC State has been home. I am forever grateful to my pack of students, colleagues and mentors who have supported me along this journey. I am proud to say I am now officially a ‘triple wolf!’”

Wayne A. Williams

What’s your job title, and where do you work at NC State? 

Lead instructional coach for the North Carolina New Teacher Support Program

What degree did you earn? 

Ph.D. from the College of Education

Anything you’d like to say about this achievement? 

“Achieving this aspiration as a first-generation college student was made possible through the support of faculty and supervisors, employee tuition waivers and the invaluable assistance of my wife. I am honored to have earned a terminal degree from an institution with the stellar reputation of the College of Education at NC State University and am grateful for the continued opportunity to serve North Carolina’s public schools as a member of the NC State staff.”

Lindsay Hughes

What’s your job title, and where do you work at NC State? 

Study abroad advisor for the Study Abroad Office in the Office of Global Engagement

What degree did you earn?

Master’s degree in higher education administration from the College of Education

Anything you’d like to say about this achievement?

“It takes a village, and I’m so thankful to mine! My friends, family, classmates, faculty and colleagues have all helped me get to graduation while working full-time, and I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Stephanie Jackson

What’s your job title, and where do you work at NC State? 

Senior IT programmer analyst for the Office of Information Technology and Enterprise Application Services

What degree did you earn? Master of Management, Risk and Analytics from the Poole College of Management

Anything you’d like to say about this achievement? 

“My daughter, who is an undergrad in the Poole College of Management, is also graduating in May!”

Joy Tongsri

What’s your job title, and where do you work at NC State?

Senior associate director for Park Scholarships

What degree did you earn?

Ph.D. in higher education from the College of Education (and recipient of the Outstanding Dissertation Award from the Department of Educational Leadership, Policy and Human Development)

Anything you’d like to say about this achievement?

“Thank you to the tremendous faculty in the College of Education, who helped me become a better higher education practitioner and scholar. Being a part-time student, full-time employee and mom of two has been challenging, and I’m thankful for all of the support that made my journey possible. The tuition waiver program is an amazing benefit, and I encourage employees to consider taking classes, even if they aren’t interested in pursuing a degree. I am grateful to work with the Park Scholars, who are creating a positive impact on the world. They helped to inspire my dissertation, a quasi-experimental study estimating the effect of leadership training on social change behaviors.”