Spring 2024 Commencement Stories

Stephanie Rogers and Sydney Rogers

Stephanie and Sydney Rogers are sisters. Stephanie is the elder of the two and the most outspoken, but Sydney has a lot to say too; and she makes sure Stephanie hears her loud and clear. They both say a look is all it takes. Their bond is unbreakable. This weekend, Sydney received a Master of Teaching during the graduate ceremony. Stephanie, Mom, Dad, grandmom and more were there cheering Sydney on. The very next day, Stephanie walked the stage at Greensboro Coliseum to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies. This time Sydney joined the crew in the audience to support Stephanie. 

Stephanie began her A&T journey in 2010, but having her wonderful son, work (including a position at A&T) and life in general stalled her progress. “I’ve always aspired to be a teacher, and I knew I had to have a degree to do so,” said Stephanie. And she did it. She completed her degree and she’s headed to Peck Elementary School as a Kindergarten teacher. 

Sydney is already teaching, but she has additional goals, which compelled her to get a master’s degree. “I aspire to be a principal one day. Getting my master’s is part of that journey,” said Sydney. “Getting a master’s and working full time was hard, but it’s been worth it. To God be the glory.” 

The sisters get their love of teaching honest. Their mom, Marita Williams-Rogers, an Aggie too, is a campus educator and their grandmom was a teacher. 

Steven Rogers is one proud father. He is the campus director of property management and has been proudly serving the university for over 20 years. 

“Coming from Philadelphia, we didn't know much about HBCUs. And when we came to A&T, we didn’t understand the hype. But when I started working there, I began to see. It’s a community. HBCUs are communities and they are necessary," said Steven. "Not only does A&T support us as a family, but now it has given my daughters an opportunity to do bigger and better things. It's just a proud moment for me.”

Jada Smalls

“I’m from Blackville, South Carolina. It’s a very small town. Not many people move beyond the city limits. But I have been determined to break barriers and pursue my dreams in STEM. My resources were significantly limited, but there was just something in me. I knew I could do it. 

Chemistry has always been my passion, so I enrolled at a PWI eager to pursue it. It became very challenging to navigate as a woman of color, but I kept pushing and doing my best. But something was still nagging at me. Something was missing. I never felt a sense of belonging or community where I could really thrive and be my authentic self. I made a pivotal decision and transferred to A&T. It was transformative. I found academic rigor as well as a supportive community that celebrated diversity and empowered all students. 

I took advantage of every opportunity to immerse myself in hands-on research and many other academic and personal pursuits. It didn’t go unnoticed either. I received accolades and recognition from the university and beyond.

For my capstone project I worked under Dr. Ferguson doing research on chemical education. I interviewed students taking organic chemistry as well as a foreign language. I wanted to know why they were able to learn a completely foreign language quicker and easier than organic chemistry. What was the stumbling block? I presented my findings to the department and earned rave reviews and feedback.

It’s all about helping and serving my community through accessible healthcare. My goal from the beginning was to attend pharmacy school. I applied and got accepted to five prestigious schools. I’m proud to announce that I am headed to the College of Pharmacy at the Medical University of South Carolina.

A&T taught me that I can do more than dream. I can achieve too!”

Justin Morrison

“When I joined the Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers Program I honestly wasn’t very interested in the robotics or 3D printing type aspects. But I found myself gravitating toward the professional development classes. I loved the critical thinking components. 

I’m proudly part of the first graduating cohort of the program at A&T, which began in 2015. My mom wanted me to get involved and that’s where I landed. It was the best thing that could have happened to me. It opened so many doors. I met some amazing people including my future mentor. The Verizon program helped me figure out my career and taught me how to be an independent person and think for myself and make my own decisions without the influence of others. 

Once I completed the program it was important for me to remain active as a volunteer. I knew what it did for me, so I was certain of what it could do for others. Likewise, I knew the power of an HBCU. A&T was at the top of my list; so I continued my education through the Kinesiology program. 

From the Dean’s List to internships with the A&T Football Team and the High Point Rockies, my college experience has been amazing. 

A&T has formed me into the person that I am today. This fall I will participate in a 16-week course called The Scouting Academy by former NFL Scouts Daniel Hateman and Louis Reddick where I will learn the process of scouting and how to become an NFL Scout. Following the academy, I’ve already accepted a position with Sports Info Solutions. My goals are long, and my sights are set on becoming a director of college scouting for a professional NFL team. 

I learned a long time ago that you have to stop being afraid of what can go wrong and start being positive about what can go right." 

Sidrane Bynum

“I started at A&T in August of 2010. My major was management information systems. I knew I wanted to be an Aggie. And I knew I wanted a degree. Information Systems was a trending profession, so it seemed like the way to go. And when I came here, the dean at the time was a female and she encouraged me to do. 

I had my son, so sometimes I was able to be a full-time student and at other times I was part time.

Then in 2015, I experienced a disturbing situation with my son. He was a student here. It made me angry and bitter. So, I walked away. He was an A&T student, and I was too. It was a very emotional time. But everything eventually worked out. I slowly tried to come back, but I wasn’t consistent. I finally decided to get it together around 2019/2020...but then a series of issues began. Covid hit. I found out I was sick and had to have emergency surgery. I had a cancer scare and a few other health issues. It was a difficult time. 

But I was determined to finish my degree. I discovered the Aggies at the Goal Line [AGL] Program and found my tribe! Technology had changed a lot between 2010 and 2021, but AGL program administrators went above and beyond to help. And my cohort was like a family. It was hard, but we helped each other. 

My goal was to finish. So, no matter what, even with life continuing to happen and sometimes not getting the response I wanted from professors, I was going to make it happen. When you have a goal and issues arise, you learn how to pivot. If you can't go in through the door, go through the little crack in the wall. 

As moms, we do a lot for others, but sometimes you have to stop and pour into yourself.”

Ja'Quan Battle

My mother passed when I was twelve years old. My whole world shattered. Without the guidance and support of my mother, life felt so hard to navigate. There were times when my brother and I went without food or anything to drink. Eventually we got kicked out of our home because we couldn't keep up with the bills. As an independent and self-supporting student, I had to work to take care of myself financially and be a full-time student.

For a while I didn't even think I deserved a good life or that I would be able to accomplish anything because of my circumstances. But I have always kept my faith in God, and through him I have been able to accomplish more than I could have ever imagined and thought. This weekend, I will graduate with a degree in agricultural education. 

I received the Multicultural Scholar Program Scholarship; the CAES 1890 Scholarship; the Agricultural Education Scholarship; the A.P. Bell Scholarship; the Minorities in Agriculture National Resources and Related Sciences scholarship (MANRRS); the Aggie Gentz Scholarship; and the John Deere MANRRS scholarship. I was able to travel and study abroad in Grenada and present my research. I interned at Purdue University; got accepted to well over 10 national conferences to learn and present my research; and won poster contests, including the MANRRS Conference this year in Chicago where I won third place for the research poster contest. 

Through it all, I maintained a 3.5 GPA and am graduating with honors. I don’t say all that to boast. I’m definitely proud of myself and yes, I have unrelenting resilience, but there is no way I could have done it on my own. It has ALL been God.

Joshua McCalla

“Meteorology has been a childhood dream of mine. I experienced my first hurricane as a child back home in Jamaica. My whole street was flooded and that’s where my interest began.

My family and I migrated from Jamaica the day after I graduated from high school. We went to a few college seminars, but they don't tell you everything because they assume that you know. My dad and I signed up for the SAT subject tests. A&T was the only school to let us know that I had taken the wrong test. I only had a month to prepare for the real one. I spent every moment preparing. In my freshman year, I left my family for the first time in my life to go to a place where I knew no one, in a country where I was a stranger. But through the alone time and a life-changing diagnosis, I found myself.

God helped me to make the dean’s list or chancellor's list every semester. I used my alone time to create encouraging videos as well as a community for meteorology students. I will be graduating as the president of the newly reinstated American Meteorological Society student chapter at A&T.

It’s important to build community. If you don’t see one for yourself or friends, then just build it.

But my educational journey isn’t over. I’ll be earning my master’s in physics with a concentration in meteorology here at A&T as a Woodland Hall Fellow for the first year...but I know God will provide for the second year too.”  

Madisyn Williams

“Black excellence has always been personified in my life. From my family who owns several locations of a successful baking company to the numerous leaders I’ve encountered, excellence is my inspiration and model.

Transferring to A&T was one of the best decisions I’ve made. By the end of my first semester, I received an internship at the D.C. Board of Elections, was selected to be a resident advisor and participated in the Honors Program.

As a soon-to-be public relations professional, I hope to shed light on diversity and creativity of thought, bridging the gap and connecting people through commonalities.

I saw those concepts modeled at my internships. I know they are needed, and I know they work. 

I was so excited when I was selected for a competitive internship at Dow Chemical headquarters. A few months later, I was chosen to attend the University of Southern California Minority Seeking Recruitment Conference. It was life changing.

As I prepare to graduate from A&T, I can proudly say I will be attending the University of Southern California to earn a master’s in public relations and advertising through a partially funded fellowship and a $10,500 stipend which will renew every academic school year.

Going to A&T truly opened the door to many opportunities. I’m leaving better than I began and I cannot thank A&T enough for all that I’ve been able to accomplish.”

Jada Wesley – Professional Theatre
 

“From receiving the highest freshman GPA in my class to being Miss Richard B. Harrison Players my sophomore year to becoming a mentor my junior year, my journey embodies the spirit of resilience, growth, and success that I believe A&T aims to cultivate in its students. 

I currently serve as Miss Delta Sigma Theta of the Alpha Mu Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. My sophomore year I was happy to be involved in and star as the lead role in the play “Pretty Fire,” and a featured dancer in Ma Rainey’s “Black Bottoms.” I was also a dancer in “Soul of Christmas,” and off campus I played Geneva, a Bennett Belle at Triad Stage. 

Acting with the Richard B. Harrison Players has been a huge part of my life at A&T, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Theatre and performing arts are my passions. I even served as the president for the 2023-24 year and vice president for the 2022-23 yr. 

There are so many other organizations and initiatives that I’ve had the privilege of participating in: leading Cards for Queens making inspirational cards for women; member of A.S.C.E.N.D. student Christian org; and of course my beloved Delta Sigma Theta sorority. In my hometown of Houston, the work has never stopped. I’ve committed myself to community service there as well. Soup kitchens. Long term care facilities. I just enjoy serving. 

My mom had me when she was in college. She was 18 and she graduated in three yrs. I’m inspired by her, and I’m committed to nurturing artistic dreams in young Black girls.”