N.C. A&T Announces 2026 February One Scholars Cohort

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Oct. 2, 2026) – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has announced the fall 2026 cohort of February One Scholars, a distinguished group of 16 students representing North Carolina, Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and Louisiana.

With an outstanding average GPA of 4.18, these scholars arrive at North Carolina A&T with strong academic achievement and demonstrated commitments to leadership and service. They will pursue their studies in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the John R. and Kathy R. Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences and the College of Education, continuing a legacy of excellence inspired by the A&T Four.

“These scholars represent the leadership, resilience and commitment to service that continue to define the legacy of the A&T Four,” said Margaret I. Kanipes, Ph.D., Honors College dean. “We are proud to support their growth as they pursue their education and prepare to make an impact in their communities.”

Eligibility requirements include a cumulative GPA of at least 3.75 on a 4.0 scale, along with demonstrated leadership, strong character and a commitment to service. Scholars must also demonstrate significant involvement in extracurricular and community activities.

“We are incredibly proud to welcome this exceptional group of students as our newest February One Scholars and celebrate the hard work that has brought them to this moment,” said Brittany Franklin, director of Scholarship Programs in the Honors College. “As they begin their journey at N.C. A&T, we look forward to seeing how they build on their accomplishments and carry forward the significance of the February One legacy.”

The February One Scholars Program is named in honor of Feb. 1, 1960, when A&T freshmen Ezell Blair Jr. (Jibreel Khazan), Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil and David Richmond sat down at a segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter in downtown Greensboro and refused to leave without being served. Their courageous act helped energize a national sit-in movement and became an enduring example of the power of principled leadership and collective action. The A&T Four are celebrated annually during the university’s February One observance and honored throughout the university for the profound impact of their legacy.

The February One Scholarship is a fully funded, four-year award covering tuition, related fees, housing and meals, as well as participation in Honors College programming and enrichment experiences. The program was established through a partnership among the three participating colleges using a portion of philanthropist MacKenzie Scott’s historic $45 million contribution to the university.

The February One experience extends well beyond the financial award. As part of the Honors Distinguished Scholars Program, scholars engage in a developmental curriculum that evolves throughout their undergraduate experience. From building a foundation in research and scholarly inquiry to pursuing applied experiences, these scholars will be well prepared for life after graduation and the impact they hope to leave behind. The curriculum is designed to ensure that scholars not only excel at A&T, but leave prepared to put their education to work in ways that reflect the significance of the February One legacy.

This year’s February One Scholars are:

Makenzi Sloan Allen, daughter of Antonio and Chanda Allen, is from Julian, North Carolina, and a graduate of Chatham Charter High School. She plans to major in psychology with a concentration in forensic psychology, and become a forensic psychologist and hopes to help individuals who commit crimes by better understanding their behavior, emotions and thought processes. Her long-term goal is to deepen her knowledge of human behavior and use that expertise to support individuals, contribute to safer communities, and serve as a positive representative for women of color.

Kameryn Brintley, daughter of Valery and Johnny Davis and Sandra and Samad Bilal, is from Gastonia, North Carolina, and a graduate of Piedmont Community Charter School. She plans to major in elementary education with a concentration in special education and minor in social work. Brintley aspires to become an exceptional special education teacher, striving to be a safe place for her students and a strong advocate for children who are often misunderstood. Her long-term goal is to earn her administrative license and eventually serve as a superintendent, creating meaningful change in education and paving the way for Black women in leadership.

Jadyn Bronson, son of Leveena and Floyd Bronson, is from East Brunswick, New Jersey, and a graduate of East Brunswick High School. He plans to major in nursing on the pre-nursing track, aspiring to become a registered travel nurse and hopes to support other people's lives as well as provide excellent care with empathy and intelligence. His long-term goal is to pursue advanced practice and research, with the aim of improving patient care in underserved communities.

Bailey Cherry, daughter of Scean and Tiffany Cherry, is from King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, and a graduate of Upper Merion Area High School. She plans to double major in psychology and mass communications. Cherry desires to become a health policy expert and hopes to remove barriers in healthcare due to misinformation. Her long-term goal is to improve health outcomes by communicating science in ways that make quality information accessible for health practitioners and patients alike.

Jaiden Elbert, son of Shawn Elbert and Angela Mason-Elbert, is from Baltimore and a graduate of Loyola Blakefield College Preparatory School. He plans to major in political science on the pre-law track and aspires to become an international human rights lawyer with the goal in mind to help marginalized communities across the globe. His long-term goal is to open his own firm dedicated to diplomacy, global affairs, and international law.

Sidney Foster, son of Ashanti Bryant Foster, Ed. D., and Steven Keith Foster, is from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and a graduate of the Academy of Health Sciences at Prince George’s Community College. He plans to major in elementary education with an emphasis in music and STEM, aspiring to become a transformative educator and mentor, helping young students reach their full potential. His long-term goal is to positively impact his community by inspiring future generations through education and leadership.

Irvin Frazier III, son of Holly and Irvin Frazier, is from Burlington, North Carolina, and a graduate of Eastern Guilford High School. He plans to major in secondary education with a concentration in English. He aspires to become a high school English teacher and later advance into educational leadership as a high school principal, where he hopes to advocate for student success and foster a positive school culture. Fraizer’s long-term goal is to make education an equitable and safe space where scholars can develop a genuine fascination with learning.

Joel-Jamack Hayes, son of Cassaundra Hayes, Ed.D., is from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and a graduate of Robert B. Glenn High School. He plans to pursue a degree in nursing, with the goal of becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Passionate about mental health advocacy, Hayes is especially committed to supporting boys and young men facing mental health challenges. He is driven by faith, family, compassion and a desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Tavarria Hill, daughter of Nikita and Tavares Hill, is from Manchester, Georgia, and a graduate of Manchester High School. She plans to major in secondary education with a concentration in English. Hill aspires to become a secondary English teacher in hopes of being the teacher that shows up, speaks up, and tells students that their voices matter, even if it is the smallest one in the room. Her long-term goal is to inspire kids to be more than what they have been told they could be or what they thought they could be.

Sanyra Hinton, daughter of Chaugulia Brown and Savensky Drakeford, is from Charlotte, North Carolina, and a graduate of Palisades High School. She plans to major in psychology, aspiring to become an adolescent psychologist and hopes to help reduce suicide rates among youth while improving mental health outcomes for children and teens. Her long-term goal is to support and connect young people, strengthening mental health awareness and resources within her community.

Kayla Jiles, daughter of Keelan and Keandra Jiles, is from New Orleans and a graduate of Sarah T. Reed High School. Jiles plans to major in kinesiology on the pre-med track, and aspires to become a sports medicine physician. She hopes to help athletes prevent injuries, recover properly, and extend their careers. Her long-term goal is to serve her community by promoting health, discipline, and performance while mentoring young athletes who share her passion for sports.

Kaleb Lucas, son of Dwayne Lucas, Ed.D., and Carlynn Lucas, is from Hampton, Virginia, and a graduate of Phoebus High School. He plans to major in political science, aspiring to be a civil rights attorney, advocating for underrepresented communities and protecting the inalienable rights of all Americans. His long-term goal is to invoke change in his community by combating discrimination and securing equality for all.

Kya Newell, daughter of Kyron and Porcia Newell, is from Charlotte and a graduate of Charlotte Country Day School. Newell plans to major in political science on the pre-law track, aspiring to become a family lawyer to help families navigate difficult legal situations and advocate for children’s rights. Her long-term goal is to contribute to her community through legal representation for those who cannot otherwise afford an attorney.

Kimani Noble, daughter of Demetrius and Latasha Noble, is from McLeansville, North Carolina, and a graduate of the STEM Early College at A&T. She plans to major in multimedia journalism and minor in political science. Noble aspires to become an investigative journalist who arms her community with critical information that empowers them to address the issues and policies impacting them. Her long-term goal is to establish her own media platform that elevates the consciousness of its readers and viewers through its dissemination of emancipatory journalism.

Caleb Paige, son of Joel and Brandy Paige, is from Charlotte and a graduate of J.T. Williams Secondary Montessori. Driven by a desire to serve others through compassionate care, Paige plans to major in nursing. He aspires to become a registered nurse with plans to continue his education later in life. His long-term goal is to increase diversity within the nursing profession and help make nursing feel like an accessible and empowering career choice for people of color.

My’Kael Phillips, son of Donnell Phillips and Latashia Bell, is from Griffin, Georgia, and a graduate of Spalding High School. He plans to major in secondary English education. He desires to become a middle school teacher and mentor in hopes of impacting lives and ensuring the education of his students. His long-term goal is to become a college professor at a historically Black college or university to make a difference in the education of future teachers through creating his own course and curriculum.