The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is proud to introduce the latest recipients of the Dean’s Scholar and Impact Scholar awards. The college presents the scholarships annually to outstanding incoming freshmen.
Seventeen students comprise this year’s class. Nine are Dean’s Scholars and eight are Impact Scholars. Awardees use the funds to offset tuition and for hands-on learning such as study abroad, internships or undergraduate research, providing them with transferable skills from critical thinking and analysis to communications.
Contributions from college donors fund the scholarships.
To receive the merit-based Dean’s Scholar Award eligible candidates must be accepted into a Humanities and Social Sciences major and demonstrate excellence in the classroom. Begun in 2012, the Dean’s Scholars program is supported by private gifts to the college’s Humanities and Social Sciences Excellence Fund.
The Impact Scholars program, founded in 2021, ensures students from low-income, first-generation, rural and other underserved communities have enhanced financial and programmatic opportunities to succeed. The Ghazale and Andy Johnston Impact Scholars Endowment provides sustained resources to the program.
The 2024-25 class of Dean’s Scholar and Impact Scholar award recipients are pursuing majors, spanning English, political science, criminology and psychology. Learn more about this year’s cohort.
Dean’s Scholars
Sebastian Afanador
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Boone, NC
Why did you choose to attend NC State?
I chose NC State due to its location in the capital of North Carolina, as I come from a small town. I am excited to experience a more urban area. With places like the NC General Assembly, I also hope to understand more of the factors affecting the legislative process. And it offers many opportunities to enrich my studies.
How will the scholarship help you?
I’m not sure what type of job I want, but I know that I want to work overseas and in a place where I can use my education to help others. This scholarship will allow me to graduate with less debt, and work in jobs that might not pay as much, but are necessary for the betterment of our world.
Ava Fincher
Major: Social Work
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Why did you choose to attend NC State?
I chose to attend NC State because I admired its commitment to inclusivity and diversity, which deeply resonates with what I was looking for in a college. This ensured that my education in social work would be comprehensive and connect to a real-world understanding.
How will the scholarship help you?
This scholarship will help me by providing me with greater opportunities. The education I will obtain by receiving this scholarship will allow me to deepen my understanding of society and align my academic pursuits with my career goals.
Paige McCullough
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Harrisburg, NC
Why did you choose to attend NC State?
I chose to attend NC State because the university is in the state’s capital. It is perfect for internship opportunities and first-hand experiences regarding politics.
How will the scholarship help you?
The scholarship will help me feel more financially secure when pursuing other activities to enrich my education.
Elizabeth Nealis
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Apex, NC
Why did you choose to attend NC State?
I have wanted to go to NC State my whole life. I grew up visiting the campus, and whenever I thought about college I always pictured myself here. I love the environment, the community and the sports.
How will the scholarship help you?
This scholarship will give me the chance to study abroad and lessen the cost of my undergrad education, making possible to get my master’s degree.
Lambrini Phillos
Major: International Studies
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Why did you choose to attend NC State?
I decided to come to NC State to venture out of my comfort zone. Something about Raleigh and everything that NC State has to offer just spoke to me. I also love the location and that I am still only two and a half hours from home!
How will the scholarship will help you?
This scholarship gives me confidence in my future endeavors at NC State and encourages me to stay motivated and involved throughout my freshman year. I am particularly excited about the part of the scholarship that will aid my plans to participate in a study abroad program in the future!
Robert Shand
Major: Communication
Hometown: Wilmington, NC
Why did you choose to attend NC State?
I chose NC State because it is a school and location full of opportunities! I plan on making connections and meeting new people during my time here.
How will the scholarship help you?
This scholarship is a big resource in helping pay for my education. I am paying for half of my education and I am doing whatever it takes to get as much paid for to minimize student debt.
Kennedy Starr
Major: English, Linguistics
Hometown: Apex, NC
Why did you choose to attend NC State?
I chose to attend NC State because after looking at all of the options both academically and socially, I felt as though it was the best fit for me. I feel like I will be able to achieve all of my goals and become the best version of myself.
How will the scholarship help you?
This scholarship will be a huge weight lifted off my shoulders as far as finances go for me and my family. Also, I am very grateful for being accepted into the University Honors Program because I have already been amazed by the opportunities that it has presented.
Not shown, Alexa Cavalli and Isabel Mosqueda.
Impact Scholars
Soha Algathi
Major: English, Rhetoric and Professional Writing
Hometown: Oxford, NC
Why did you choose to attend NC State?
I chose NC State because it was the closest college to where I live, and the English program fit what I was looking for. Also, I have three siblings who attend NC State, so I have visited campus a few times and feel comfortable with it.
How will the scholarship help you?
This scholarship will help with funding college expenses. It will also push me to put myself out there more by engaging in extracurriculars.
Brooklyn Bailey
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Williamston, NC
Why did you choose to attend NC State?
I chose to attend NC State due to the great return on investment this institution would bring and my intent to serve in the NC court. I joined the Mock Trial team as a full-fledged member, am learning about our Model UN, and have a goal to become a marksman in the skillful hands of our Marksmanship Club.
How will the scholarship help you?
I’m taking on the financial responsibility of putting myself through college, so the assistance of this scholarship is a great help. I can build strong connections with other ambitious individuals and strengthen my connection with NC State.
Luke Holland
Major: English, with a concentration in Literature.
Hometown: Faison, NC
Why did you choose to attend NC State?
I chose to attend NC State because of its closeness to my home and reputation as a great school. I knew I’d be getting an excellent education if I came to NC State, which was an important factor in choosing it as my home.
How will the scholarship help you?
This scholarship will allow me to continue to expand my knowledge in fields I care about. Without this scholarship, my time at NC State wouldn’t be as fruitful.
Lizzie Howell
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Winston-Salem, NC
Why did you choose to attend NC State?
NC State has an incredible psychology program and a fantastic undergrad research department, which I plan on taking advantage of after my first semester. It is also not too far from home and I had a lot of close friends attending as well.
How will the scholarship help you?
This scholarship helps me to focus more on my studies. In my senior year in high school, I was paranoid that I would need to work my way through college to pay for it, and this scholarship helped me not need to do that. Instead, I can focus more on my classes and schoolwork.
Carlee Register
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Lumberton, NC
Why did you choose to attend NC State?
NC State’s Think and Do motto perfectly aligns with my goals and values as an individual. Being able to fully embrace the motto thanks to NC State’s many opportunities and resources will allow me to achieve success as a college student.
How will the scholarship help you?
This opportunity will help kickstart my college career and give me the advantage of making connections with new people and diving deeper into the realm of the humanities and social sciences as a whole.
Ashley Scott
Major: Communication
Hometown: Frederick, MD
Why did you choose to attend NC State?
I chose NC State because of the strong academic community and amazing location. When I first toured the university I really admired the liveliness of the students and their immense pride to be a part of the Wolfpack. Seeing their love for the campus and the community they’ve built here made my decision to attend NC State easier.
How will the scholarship help you?
This scholarship will provide me with the tools I need to become a successful student. With the help of this scholarship, I can explore more opportunities and expand my knowledge. I will also enhance my network by meeting new people and learning about their experiences.
Aubrey Taylor
Major: Criminology
Hometown: Henderson, NC
Why did you choose to attend NC State?
I chose to attend NC State because it felt like home when I visited for the first time and staying in North Carolina was vital to me. Also, my mom went to NC State for a few semesters but could not complete her studies, so I wanted to finish what she started.
How will the scholarship help you?
This scholarship will lighten the burden of paying for college, as I am from a single-parent household. Attending college means the world to me; it allows me to study the subjects I enjoy and obtain a degree and resources to help me find a job after graduation.
Not shown, Molli Harris
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