N.C. A&T Announces 2026 Dowdy Scholars Cohort

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Oct. 1, 2026) – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has announced its 2026 cohort of Lewis and Elizabeth Dowdy Scholars – 20 high-achieving first-year students who have joined the Aggie family as members of the class of 2030.

Representing North Carolina, Georgia, Maryland, Texas, California, Washington, D.C., Michigan, New York, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia, these scholars enter the university with an impressive average GPA of 4.16 and strong records of engagement in their schools and communities.

“This year’s scholars exemplify the academic excellence, leadership and determination we seek to cultivate at A&T,” said Margaret I. Kanipes, Ph.D., Honors College dean. “This scholarship provides an opportunity to invest in their potential and support them as they pursue their goals and shape their own paths to success.”

These students will pursue studies across six of the university’s academic colleges — the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics, College of Engineering, John R. and Kathy R. Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences, and College of Science and Technology — reflecting the broad academic reach of the Dowdy Scholars Program.

“We are proud to welcome this accomplished group of students into the Dowdy Scholars community and celebrate the exceptional accomplishments they bring with them to North Carolina A&T,” said Brittany Franklin, director of Scholarship Programs in the Honors College. “We look forward to seeing them embrace the opportunities ahead, grow through their experiences here and ultimately define the impact they will make beyond the university.”

The Dowdy Scholars Enrichment Program is named in honor of the late Lewis C. Dowdy, Ph.D., A&T’s sixth president and first chancellor, and his wife, Elizabeth. Together, they served the university for more than 21 years. The university’s administration building was named in Dowdy’s honor in 1981, the year after he stepped down as chancellor.

The program provides a full four-year renewable scholarship covering tuition and related fees, housing and meals, along with access to enrichment experiences designed to complement each scholar’s academic journey. As part of the Honors Distinguished Scholars Program, Dowdy Scholars engage in a developmental curriculum that builds throughout their undergraduate experience, connecting what they learn in the classroom with research, applied learning and preparation for life after graduation. Scholars are encouraged to pursue high-impact opportunities such as internships, study abroad and faculty-mentored research while developing the skills and experiences that will prepare them to contribute meaningfully in their chosen fields and communities.

This year’s Dowdy Scholars are:

Luke Adeboyejo, son of Bode and Betsy Adeboyejo, of Waldorf, Maryland, is a graduate of From the Heart Christian School. Adeboyejo plans to major in management with an innovation and entrepreneurship concentration and minor in psychology. He aspires to build a career in sports communications and business strategy within the NFL or another professional sporting league, and hopes to use media, marketing, and athlete branding to inspire positive change and civic engagement. His long-term goal is to become a leader within the sports realm and establish his own sports agency that focuses on the player, both as an individual and a professional athlete, connecting them with brands and community organizations to drive social impact globally.

Kameron Brown, son of Kevin and Kimberly Brown, is from Covington, Georgia, and a graduate of Newton High School. He plans to major in criminal justice on the pre-law track and aspires to become a lawyer and eventually branch into cybersecurity law. His long-term goal is to confidently represent his community in this space where they were often mistreated and misjudged.

Melondia Crouell, daughter of Melvin and Elondia Crouell Jr., is from Kinston, North Carolina, and a graduate of Kinston High School. She plans to major in social work and minor in psychology, while gaining valuable experience through internships and hands-on learning opportunities. Crouell’s career goal is to become both a children’s social worker and a clinical social worker, helping young children and teens navigate mental health and behavioral challenges. Driven by a passion for service, her long-term aspiration is to serve as a leader in her community, supporting those in need and contributing to the field through social work practice and psychology research.

Brandon Curry, son of Erick Rojas and Brittany Curry, is from Jersey City, New Jersey, and a graduate of Southern Lee High School. He plans to major in business administration and minor in political science. Curry aspires to become a business owner and politician, with the goal of giving back to and supporting his community. His long-term vision is to make a meaningful impact not only in his local community but also on a broader scale by serving in government and advocating for those whose voices often go unheard.

Sydney Fletcher, daughter of Steven and Shayla Fletcher, is from Ann Arbor, Michigan, and a graduate of Pioneer High School. She plans to major in chemistry, and aspires to become an environmental engineer and hopes to make water purification methods more cost-effective and accessible. Her long-term goal is to improve public health and environmental sustainability by ensuring all communities, especially those historically underserved, have access to clean, safe water.

Kelsey Foxx, daughter of Britt and Renita Foxx, is from Mebane, North Carolina, and a graduate of River Mill Academy. She plans to major in animal science with a concentration in the animal industry. To further her studies, she plans to obtain her master’s degree in agricultural and environmental systems with a concentration in integrated animal health systems where she will focus on animal health, livestock production, and the agricultural industry. Her long-term goal is to pursue a career in animal and food production, where she can protect and promote animal welfare while contributing to sustainable and safe agricultural practices.

Hannah Harrison, daughter of Renee Harrison, Ph.D., and the Rev. David Harrison Jr., is from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and is a graduate of Early College of Forsyth. She plans to major in biology on the pre-medical track to become a dermatologist specializing in African-American skin. Her long-term goal is to use her medical career to give back to her community by promoting equitable healthcare and serving underserved populations.

Reagan Hudson, daughter of Federico and Monique Hudson, is from Atlanta and a graduate of Chamblee High School. She plans to major in economics and minor in political science. Hudson aspires to become an international business attorney, using her voice, education, and leadership to promote equity and stability within the global economy. Her long-term goal is to serve and protect underrepresented communities from harmful corporate action while facilitating economic equity internationally.

Noah Isirimah, son of Chi and Uche Isirimah, is from Fairfax, Virginia, and a graduate of Lake Braddock Secondary School. He intends to major in artificial intelligence and minor in business entrepreneurship. Isirimah aspires to become a CEO, developing and running an AI tech startup business that builds technology to make digital infrastructure safer and more equitable. His long-term goal is to grow his company into an industry-leading platform that protects consumers and empowers businesses through innovative AI solutions.

Reese Kay, daughter of Colby and Sonya Kay, is from Richmond, Virginia, and a graduate of Richmond Community High School. She plans to major in animal science, focusing on veterinary medicine, aspiring to become a veterinarian to return the unconditional love she has received from animals in her past. Her long-term goal is to own her own animal medicine practice to educate and provide affordable pet care to underserved communities.

Davion Darrell Koonce, son of Jaleisa Gooding, is from Kinston and a graduate of Kinston High School. He plans to major in social work and minor in psychology. He desires to become a psychiatrist in hopes to deconstruct the sigma surrounding mental health in the African-American community. His long-term goal is to provide adequate care for anyone dealing with mental illnesses.

Sydnie Mason, daughter of Malcolm and Cynetria Mason, is from Rolesville, North Carolina, and a graduate of Rolesville High School. She plans to major in bioengineering, aspiring to become a biomedical engineer in hopes of improving the functionality and accessibility of prosthetics and assistive medical devices. Her long-term goal is to further advance healthcare through technology and research in the bioengineering field.

Kylei Neufville, daughter of Kawana and Peter Neufville, is from Greensboro, North Carolina, and a graduate of Dudley High School. She plans to major in political science. She aspires to become an attorney with hopes of protecting those in need and ensuring just treatment to people from various backgrounds. Her long-term goal is to make a true difference in the world and justice system and how it affects people.

Micah Poe, son of Sabrina Williams, is from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and a graduate of Oakland High School. He plans to major in electrical engineering with a minor in electronics. Poe aspires to become a robotics engineer with a focus in embedded systems hardware in hopes of improving daily life through automation. His long-term goal is to change the narrative of the engineering field through creativity and culture.

Jennifer D. Ruth, daughter of Claude and Roselynn Ruth, is from Houston and a graduate of Thurgood Marshall High School. She plans to major in bioengineering on the pre-med track. Ruth plans further her education in medicine to become an orthopedic surgeon and hopes to advance musculoskeletal health through research and surgical innovation. Her long‑term goal is to combine orthopedic medicine with prosthetic innovation to create more adaptive, patient‑centered solutions for diverse communities.

Jeffery Samuel Jr., son of Jeff and Gloria Samuel, is from Cincinnati and a graduate of Walnut Hills High School. He plans to major in civil engineering, and plans to become a civil engineer who hopes to use curiosity to design infrastructure. His long-term goal is to use innovation to leave a visual and sustainable impact on multiple different communities.

Maliha Thomas, the daughter of Justine and Kamuti Thomas, is from New York and a graduate of Friends Seminary. She plans to major in environmental studies, planning to get her bachelor’s degree in agricultural and environmental systems. She desires to become an environmental researcher, developing solutions for the environmental problems that our planet is facing, such as switching over to renewable energy. Her long-term goal is to fight for environmental justice and educate others on the small changes they can make in their lives in order to protect the environment.

Sanaiyah Ware, daughter of Sasha Ethridge, is from San Diego and a graduate of Otay Ranch High School. She plans to major in business management and economics. She aspires to become an innovative business leader and entrepreneur dedicated to establishing nonprofits that drive sustainable change and expand opportunities for underserved populations. Her long-term goal is to create meaningful impact within her community and the communities she encounters, studying abroad to broaden her global perspective while inspiring youth to lead with purpose, engagement, and transformative action.

Robert Wilson, son of Robert and Marissa Wilson, is from Atlanta and a graduate of Westlake High School. He plans to major in biology on the pre-dental track, aspiring to become an orthodontist with hopes of changing lives one smile at a time. His long-term goal is to give back to the community that poured into him through mentorship, education, and access to healthcare.

Erin Woodson, daughter of Levon and Finisha Woodson, is from Washington, D.C., and a graduate of St. John’s College High School. She plans to major in psychology on the pre-med track, aspiring to become a psychiatrist to advocate for better mental health treatments and advancements in medical technology. Her long-term goal is to provide better access to and care for all people, especially the Black community.