Commencement Stories

Journey to the Degree: Spring 2025 Graduates Share Their N.C. A&T Stories

 As the spring 2025 semester comes to a close at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, over 1,900 students are expected to turn their tassels during the university’s graduate and undergraduate ceremonies Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10, respectively. 

The journey has been filled with joy, sorrow, ups and downs, but most of all satisfaction and pride. These soon-to-be alumni share their stories of perseverance, dedication, scholarship and innovation. Moreover, each one takes lessons that will last them a lifetime and guide them through even greater experiences. 

N.C. A&T students have excelled academically, professionally and personally. While there are hundreds of stories to be told, they represent the diverse intellectual climate, entrepreneurial spirit, civic engagement and academic excellence that characterizes the A&T experience. Below are just a few of their stories, some in their own words. Read more on the university’s special commencement website and on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. 

Chrysta Nichols  |  Josiah Johnson  |  D’Karia Bascom  |  Brian Roper-Nelson  |  Breyana Robinson  |  Jayden Seay

Chrysta Nichols - Multimedia Journalism

“My time at North Carolina A&T has been shaped by passion, purpose, and impact—especially in the areas of media, marketing and representation. As a multimedia journalism major, I’ve used my voice and skills to uplift stories that matter.

One of my proudest accomplishments has been reviving the “Her Campus” chapter at A&T. In just one semester, the membership grew to over 60 students, creating a supportive space for women in media and marketing. I also proudly served as a senator for CAHSS during my senior year to advocate for students. My love for A&T runs deep.

I’ve proudly represented A&T on national platforms, including the Bloomberg Academy of Excellence, Thurgood Marshall College Fund Leadership Institute, the NABJ Convention, The Recording Academy’s conference, and more.

The Crosby Hall community has shaped me academically, personally and even financially. I’ve been blessed to receive over $25K in scholarships from the college alone, including the Spotify Scholarship and the Wieden+Kennedy Scholarship and Residency Program, which I will pursue after graduation.

From starting as a student with big dreams to leaving as a well-equipped media professional, my story is one of persistence, passion, and purpose”
 

Josiah Johnson - Automotive Engineering Technology

“As a soon-to-be graduate of the largest public HBCU in the country, navigating the world of STEM, I’ve worked tirelessly to not only succeed but to uplift and lead others along the way. 

I currently serve as President of Men on The Move, the largest all-male student organization at North Carolina A&T. I also serve as Mister for the Gamma Zeta Chapter of Epsilon Pi Tau International Honor Society and am a proud member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. 

I’ve gained hands-on experience as a Test Operations Engineering Intern at Cummins Inc. and as a Manufacturing Engineering Intern at Stellantis. I’m currently part of the 2025 Fellowship Class of EVHybrid Noire, a national organization focused on equity in clean transportation. Upon graduation, I will join Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina as one of just 12 individuals selected for their elite TOPS Rotational Program—making history as the first African American male ever hired into this capacity. 

My story is one of persistence, purpose, and preparation. It is rooted in the belief that leadership means service, and that representation matters—especially in spaces where we are historically underrepresented. I’ve blended my diverse passions and commitments into a singular, focused pursuit of excellence. I hope to inspire others not just to dream big, but to do the work, break ceilings, and pave the way for future generations of Aggies and African Americans alike.”

D’Karia Bascom – Laboratory Animal Science and Animal Sciences
 

A&T may be land-locked, but that didn’t stop senior D’Karia Bascom from diving into the field of marine biology. 

Bascom, who is studying laboratory animal science and animal sciences in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, was one of only eight young people from North America chosen to attend the Citizens of the Ocean Summit in March. The gathering in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, of future leaders in the marine science field featured programs on how to advocate for and create policy for the oceans. 

“I had such a great time connecting with other young-minded scientists from literally all over the world,” Bascom, 24, said. 

During the previous six months, Bascom had worked with the participants to draft policies that support the UN Ocean Decade Challenges, those challenges include combatting marine pollution, creating a digital representation of the ocean, and increasing community resilience to ocean and coastal risks. 

Bascom, who was inspired to pursue a career in marine biology by the movie “Finding Nemo,” said she hopes to get everyday people as well as policymakers involved in ocean conservation and advocacy. 

Dr. Andrea Gentry-Apple, the university’s coordinator of veterinary education and clinical associate veterinarian, called Bascom “a trailblazer.” 

“Being in a program that does not focus on marine science can be very difficult, but D'Karia has utilized her translational skills to break barriers and show other students interested in marine science that they can find opportunities to accomplish their goals,” Gentry-Apple said. 

Bascom plans to take a year off after graduating before pursuing her master’s degree in California. “But I’ll still be doing research,” Bascom said. “I’m hoping to be in Panama this year. And then I go to French Polynesia in January for more research.”

Brian Roper-Nelson - Economics
 

“I came to A&T unsure of who I wanted to become. I just knew I needed to start somewhere. But the community here changed that, and my department chair, Dr. Simkins, was one of the first to push me. He encouraged me to apply for the AEA Summer Program, something I had never even heard of. Professors wrote recommendation letters for me without hesitation. They believed in me before I fully believed in myself. 

My involvement with the Aggie Economic Association and the DCURE program transformed my academic experience. I developed skills that helped me connect theory to real-world impact and gave me confidence in what I could contribute. But what truly made A&T special was the community. Friends who celebrated each achievement as if it were their own, stayed up late helping me study for exams and cheered when my LSAT scores came back in the top percentile. That kind of support changes you. It pushes you further. It makes you believe. A&T also connected me with programs and people from every field, giving me the space to explore what truly mattered to me. Through that exploration, I was drawn to the law. Not just the rules, but the way it shapes opportunity, justice and equity. I started to see how economics and law could come together to create real change. 

Dr. Minuci brought me into undergraduate research, and through that experience, I gained a deeper understanding of how systems affect people’s lives. 

Then when I was ready to take the next step, A&T was still there. The university provided free LSAT prep to help me study and stay on track. That support gave me the tools and confidence to take the LSAT and pursue my dream of becoming a lawyer. With a 4.0 GPA and strong LSAT performance, I was accepted to 10 law schools, offered hundreds of thousands in scholarships and will be attending Harvard Law School. 

The truth is, A&T didn’t just give me an education. It reshaped what I believed was possible, and that meant everything. I don’t think my experiences are unique. They reflect what is possible when students are empowered and supported. 

There are no limits to what we can accomplish. Excellence isn't the exception at A&T. It's our tradition.”

Breyana Robinson – Laboratory Animal Sciences

She’s a Star: Senior Breyana Robinson is a Two-Time Astronaut Scholar

Video: https://youtu.be/M3Pk6XK9rrk 

In 2023, Breyana Robinson was the first student from the College of Agriculture and Animal Sciences to receive the prestigious Astronaut Scholarship. One year later, Robinson has done it again.  

In 2024, the senior laboratory animal sciences major was awarded again - making her one of two N.C. A&T students to be named a 2024 Astronaut Scholar from the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation; Robinson’s latest scholarship makes her the first female-identifying Aggie and third student overall to receive the scholarship twice. 

“This achievement reflects the dedication and support of my mentors, as well as the strength of N.C. A&T’s research community,” said Robinson. “I hope it inspires other students to pursue their passions fearlessly and push the boundaries of what’s possible.” 

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, a non-profit founded in 1984 by the surviving Mercury 7 astronauts, provides more than 60 scholarships annually to the most academically accomplished undergraduate second- and third-year students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) intent on pursuing research or advancing their fields upon graduating. 

“Receiving this prestigious award has broadened my horizons and connections in the scientific community, focused my graduate school plans, and motivated my research,” said Robinson.  “Earning the Astronaut Scholarship has brought greater attention to my research and motivated me to continue my work to release a journal article this academic year. I now have articles in several research magazines dedicated to the work that I’ve done to solve the cattle industry’s million-dollar headache, acidosis.”  

Jayden Seay – Education
 

“I began A&T in 2021. It was my dream school. From the moment I took a campus tour I knew this was the place that I needed to be. I wanted to be at a highly ranked HBCU where I could excel academically and enjoy the true Black college experience. 

I have so many memories. It’s the little things that became the largest and stick out in my mind. I vividly remember a snow day during my freshman year. Seeing students come from all over campus to the village quad for a snowball fight, sled and blast music was one of the best things ever. It was like being a kid again. 

I’ve received numerous awards, scholarships and many other accolades, but, capping off my time at A&T, I was awarded the Eve Marie Carson Servant Leader of the Year Award at the final meeting of the 53rd Session of the UNC Association of Student Governments. 

The Carson Award is bestowed annually on a UNC system student who exemplifies the characteristics of a servant leader and serves as a role model for aspiring student leaders. It’s the highest award given to an individual student by the highest student advocacy body in North Carolina. I am only the 4th HBCU student to receive the award in its nearly 20 years of existence, and the second from A&T (after my mentor and friend Kennedy Reid). I’m extremely grateful to be recognized for my work in the UNC system, and am excited to continue this important work in North Carolina and beyond. 

My parents and community built a solid foundation and A&T took me so much higher. A&T has made me a better scholar, leader, friend and man. I’ll always be grateful to A&T for all the opportunities I’ve been blessed to receive these four years. 

Following graduation, I will relocate to Chicago to begin my studies at the Univesity of Illinois Chicago toward a Ph.D. in Policy Studies in Urban Education. I am excited to continue my research journey at an R-1 institution with a commitment to transform education to advance justice and liberation.”