Celebrating New Beginnings and Favorite Campus Corners

Graduation marks the end of one journey and the beginning of a new one. But along the way — amid the rush of classes, deadlines and late-night study sessions — students often find a place that becomes a part of their academic journey.  Whether it’s a quiet study nook, a lively gathering space, or a serene spot to think and dream, five graduating seniors each discovered a corner of campus that became spaces of inspiration, reflection and growth.

As they prepare to write their next chapter, these seniors, like every other Class of 2025 graduate, carry the lessons learned, the friendships formed, and the human-centered skills gained to tackle societal challenges and fight for a brighter future. They also know that wherever they go next, they’ll always have a place at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences that feels like home.

We caught up with our five seniors as they get ready to cross the graduation stage and tip their mortarboards during the spring commencement ceremony at Carter-Finley Stadium, May 3, at 9 a.m. Learn about their NC State experiences, next steps, and the places that helped ground them, challenge them and quietly shape them for the future ahead.

Nicholas Cooke

An Abraham Holtzman Award recipient, Nicholas Cooke was president of Pre-Law Education and Diversity and Student Organization Development Ambassadors. He was also the founder and CEO of Ragtag, Be Where You Belong, a campus engagement app, and served as a CHASS senator.

Major: Political Science, with a concentration in law and justice

Hometown: Roxboro, NC

Favorite spot on campus: I’ve always enjoyed passing by the Court of Carolina. On my first day at NC State, I wandered there and had that classic “Wow, I’m really in college” moment. It’s always felt like the perfect spot to reflect on where you’ve been, where you are and where you’re headed.

How has this spot contributed to your academic journey? It became a kind of campus within a campus for me. I’d pass through it on the way to classes in history, political science, law, etc. Over time, it became a place where everything connected — my academics, my ambitions and the conversations that shaped who I was becoming. It grounded me, gave me space to reflect and tied together my entire journey at NC State.

Advice to your freshman self? Vision and ambition work together — your ideas can shape communities. Lean into them. They’re not just passing thoughts — they’re the start of something meaningful. With care, time and courage, you can build, uplift and create more than you ever imagined. Trust that instinct, even when it feels uncertain. It knows where you’re going.

What’s next? I’ll begin my J.D. at Howard University School of Law to focus on a career in corporate law, specifically to help businesses grow in ways that better serve marginalized communities. My humanities and social sciences degree taught me how to listen, ask better questions and see the human impact behind every decision. That foundation will guide me, whether I’m structuring deals or advocating for equity in boardrooms.

Syd Fryer

Syd Fryer, a Park Scholar, served in student government and as a SPIA Ambassador. She also researched Spanish linguistics, was a member of Pi Sigma Alpha and Sigma Delta Pi and interned in the North Carolina Governor’s Office.

Major: Spanish Language and Literature, Political Science

Hometown: Charlotte, NC

Favorite spot on campus: Caldwell Hall, especially its lounge and the SPIA offices on the second floor. Caldwell was the first building I visited on a campus tour, and the lounge, with its natural light, impromptu piano performances, and cozy cubicles (if you can find an open one), has been a great gathering and studying spot. As a SPIA Ambassador, I’ve planned events there, including an ice cream social. I’ve also worked in the SPIA office for two years, so it’s deeply important to me.

How has this spot contributed to your academic journey? Most of my classes and my role as a SPIA Ambassador have been in Caldwell Hall, so I feel it has been the place on campus where I’ve experienced the most growth. This growth has come academically, as I have struggled and learned a great deal about myself through my coursework. I’ve also grown professionally and as a student leader, gaining more experience in event planning and communications. 

Advice to your freshman self? Take it easy. There can be a lot of stress throughout the college experience, but if you follow your passions and work hard, everything will work out. 

What’s next? I’ll be pursuing my M.A. in Spanish Language and Literature here at NC State, graduating in 2026. During my master’s program, I plan to analyze how linguistic bias can affect the legal system. I am interested in law and social justice, and hope to continue exploring whether a career in law is right for me. The critical thinking and cross-functional communication I have gained in my CHASS degree will help me reach these goals. 

Gabby Morris

A Kara Ruth Medlin Memorial Scholarship recipient, Gabby Morris was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, the Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honor Society and the Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honor Society. She also served as a football recruitment intern and participated in the University Ambassador Program and the University Theatre Program.

Major: Communication, concentration in public relations.

Hometown: Riverdale, GA

Favorite spot on campus: My favorite spot on campus is Frank Thompson Hall, home to the University Theatre Program. Every time I walk in, it feels like stepping into a piece of history. I discovered it by accident during my freshman year. I got lost and wandered into the middle of an audition. The rest is history.

How has this spot contributed to your academic journey? The building is home to the theatre program, and the staff has been incredibly supportive in helping me reach my goals. From helping me navigate homesickness my freshman year to connecting me with professional opportunities, they’ve played a major role in my personal and professional growth.

Advice to your freshman self? It’s okay to stand out! You don’t have to shrink yourself to fit into other people’s expectations.

What’s next? I plan to work full time while earning my paralegal certificate, then pursue a master’s degree in political communication. After that, I hope to work in campaign strategy or public affairs, using media to drive civic engagement and policy change. My humanities and social sciences degree has equipped me with a strong foundation of public perception and cultural context — tools essential for crafting impactful, ethical messaging. 

Alex Soto

Alex Soto received the Mary L. Walek Memorial Scholarship and the Tim Wallace Research Award and served as assistant director of the Sociology and Anthropology Student Ambassadors. He was also the recruitment, events and socials officer for the Rowing Club and a research assistant for his department, focusing on a project in Bogota, Colombia.

Major: Sociology and Anthropology

Minor: Forensic Science

Hometown: Canóvanas, Puerto Rico

Favorite spot on campus: My favorite spot on campus has to be the bookstacks because it’s where I always need to go when I really have to concentrate. With a busy schedule, I have only a limited time to study, so I have to make the most of it.

How has this spot contributed to your academic journey? The bookstacks provide an environment where I can focus on research, homework, essays and other important work without the stress of distractions. I discovered the bookstacks during my first year while exploring campus, and it became a habit to go there a few times a week. The stacks have been where I wrote my two articles that will soon be published in international journals, experienced breakthroughs in my research and hit major milestones in my classes. 

Advice to your freshman self: Be more outgoing, try new experiences and meet new people. I was very shy at first, especially as a transfer student, but by my second semester, I started broadening my horizons and meeting new people who are amazing to me, even three years after we first met. 

What’s next? In the fall, I plan to attend graduate school for a Ph.D. in environmental sociology at the University of Texas at Austin. Earning a CHASS degree has given me a clearer perception of the diverse world around me and the societal issues we face. It has fueled my passion for creating change through my disciplines and for becoming an agent of positive change. With my CHASS foundation and future graduate studies, I hope to work in public policy or as a government official to help reform systemic responses after natural disasters in our country. 

Anamari Thomas Carter

Anamari Thomas Carter served as a CHASS Ambassador, a Social Innovation Fellow, a NextGenPop Research Fellow through the Population Association of America, and a Youth Fellow with the E Pluribus Unum Foundation.

Major: Sociology

Hometown: Wake Forest, NC

Favorite spot on campus: My favorite spot on campus has to be the fifth floor of Talley Student Union. One of my friends introduced me to the LGBTQ Pride Center, and as a lesbian person of color, I enjoy meeting other people within my community. Outside of this space, I also like finding picturesque spots on campus to study and rest.

How has this spot contributed to your academic journey? It has contributed to my academic journey by giving me the opportunity to meet so many different people. I feel safe spaces are very important, not just for facilitating healthy relationships with people from different backgrounds, but also for fostering intellectual and mental growth.

Advice to your freshman self: As someone who spent the first few years of college online due to COVID and personal choice, being on campus my senior year sometimes makes me feel like a freshman all over again!  The advice I’d give my younger self is to put more effort into meeting people. Community is so important, so lean on and grow alongside the people around you.

What’s next? After graduation, I’ll join the College Advising Corps. Once my term ends, I plan to pursue an M.Ed. in higher education administration and eventually complete an Ed.D. Along the way, I’m committed to taking charge of my learning by continuing research on educational disparities and serving as an informal educator in my community. My background in the social sciences equips me with the technical skills, empathy and cultural awareness needed to support my goals.