N.C. A&T McNair Scholars Program Celebrates Record 2026 Graduating Class

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (May 9, 2026) - North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University's TRIO Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is celebrating its 2026 graduating class - the largest cohort of graduates since the program's relaunch in 2022.

Twelve McNair Scholars are graduating today, each having earned a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher and receiving recognition during the university's 2026 Honors Convocation in March. The cohort represents academic excellence, leadership and a strong commitment to advancing research and graduate education.

2026 McNair Scholars and Their Future Plans

• Jashanti Block of Los Angeles, health service management, will enter nursing school in spring 2027.
• Kharisma Carmichael of Fayetteville, North Carolina, biology, will complete a gap year and enter medical school in fall 2027.
• Anansi C. Coleman of Harrisburg, North Carolina, physics/automotive manufacturing engineering (double major), will enter the doctoral physics program at the University of Hawai'i in fall 2026.
• Amun "AJ" Jackson of Charlotte, North Carolina, computer science, will be a software engineer at Cisco and enter The Graduate College at N.C.
  
  
  
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• Alyssa Johnson of Chesapeake, Virginia, management-business administration, will enter the MBA program at Virginia Commonwealth University in fall 2026.
• Nina Lewis of Charlotte, mechanical engineering, will enter a leadership development program at Eaton, then enroll in graduate school.
• Isaiah McCray of Hamlet, North Carolina, computer engineering, will enter The Graduate College at A&T.
• K'Nai Nelson of Greenville, South Carolina, animal science, will enter veterinary school while working as a veterinary assistant.
• Shyniqua Roberson of Greenville, North Carolina, business information technology, will first enter the workforce, then go to graduate school in fall 2027.
• Isatou "Ida" Sambou of Zebulon, North Carolina, civil engineering, will enter the accelerated master's program through The Graduate College at A&T in fall 2026.
• Savannah Spearman of Memphis, Tennessee, biology pre-med, will enroll at Meharry Medical College in fall 2026.
• Elijah Wesley of Abington, Pennsylvania, biomedical engineering, will enter the accelerated master's program through The Graduate College at A&T in fall 2026.

The McNair Scholars Program, a federally funded TRIO initiative, prepares first-generation, low-income and underrepresented undergraduate students for doctoral study through research opportunities, faculty mentorship and academic support.

McNair Scholars Program Senior Academic Support LaVette L. Ford, Ed.D., emphasized the importance of continued collaboration and institutional support in student success.

"This graduating class represents resilience, excellence, and the promise of future scholarly leadership. We remain committed to fostering partnerships across our campus to support our returning and future scholars as they pursue advanced degrees and meaningful career pathways," she said.

Since relaunching in 2022, the A&T McNair Scholars Program has continued to expand opportunities for students interested in research, graduate education and professional development. The success of the 2026 cohort highlights the program's growing impact and continued commitment to preparing scholars for advanced academic achievement.

About North Carolina A&T State University

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is the nation's largest historically Black university, as well one of the top 25 "Most Innovative" universities in America (U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2024). North Carolina A&T is a land-grant, doctoral research university and a constituent member of the University of North Carolina System. An exponential university, A&T is recognized widely for its national leadership in graduating African American students in engineering, agriculture and other STEM fields. The university was established in 1891 as only the second land-grant college created under the second Morrill Act and is located in Greensboro, North Carolina.