Aggie Pride runs in my family! As a second-generation Aggie, I grew up surrounded by the N.C. A&T legacy. Many of my relatives on my mom’s side earned mechanical engineering degrees from North Carolina A&T, and I came to campus to continue that tradition while creating a story of my own. 

As a physics major with a minor in applied mathematics in the College of Science and Technology, I spent my time building a strong foundation for everything that came next. Along the way, I: 

• Served as a Student Learning Assistant in physics and math, helping fellow Aggies find confidence in challenging courses 

• Conducted undergraduate research with Chyi Lyi “Kathleen” Liang, Ph.D., in agricultural remote sensing alongside the U.S. Department of Agriculture 

• Lived in the Honors residence halls directly across from the new Student Center, with a front-row seat to watching A&T grow right outside my window 

Looking back, I realize how much I was growing, too. Every late night of studying, every problem set, every research meeting and every conversation with classmates shaped who I am today. A&T did not just teach me physics and math. It taught me how to think, how to persevere and how to lift others as I climb. 

My Aggie foundation carried me to Johns Hopkins University, where I earned my M.S. in systems engineering, and then to Boeing, where I gained experience across both commercial and defense engineering. Today, I am a systems engineer at Northrop Grumman, where I mentor and develop other engineers, especially those whose paths into the field look different from the traditional route. I know how much it means to have someone show you what is possible, and I am committed to being that person for others. 

Outside of my day job, I am pursuing my vision for Automated Vertical Farming Solutions (AVFS), combining engineering and innovation to address real-world agricultural challenges. It is a full-circle moment for me, connecting the agricultural research I started at A&T with the systems thinking I have built throughout my career. 

To me, homecoming is about family, tradition, growth and celebrating how far Aggies go long after leaving Greensboro. From watching the Student Center come to life outside my dorm to building a career in engineering, A&T has been part of my growth every step of the way. Homecoming is a reminder that no matter where life takes us, we always have a place to come home to. 

As we celebrate 100 years of the Greatest Homecoming on Earth, I am proud to represent the legacy that came before me while building one of my own. To the students walking the yard today: your path does not have to look like anyone else’s. Trust your foundation, stay curious and know that the Aggie family is behind you. 

Aggie Pride is in my roots, my work and everything I hope to accomplish next!