Three future CCEE students — Joel Robinson, Laiya Davis and Holly Albright — were selected by NC State’s Goodnight Scholars Program for its new cohort of scholars. The program announced a total of 50 recipients from 32 North Carolina counties to join its class of 2026.
Recipients participated in a thorough selection process over the spring semester, which included an application and interview with a volunteer committee consisting of current and former NC State faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as industry representatives from SAS.
The Goodnight Scholarship is valued at $22,000 per year for up to four years ($88,000) for traditional students. The cohorts receive access to a comprehensive student development program that includes weekly programming, exclusive travel opportunities, and enrichment grant funding.
The class of 2026 demonstrated exceptional accomplishments during their respective high school careers including stellar academic achievement, exemplary extracurricular involvement, change-centered civic engagement, and inspiring goals for success in the STEM and STEM education fields. The class of 2026 features students with impressive accolades including Science Olympiad winners, national robotics captains, varsity athletes, memberships on the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, and participation in the Governor’s School of North Carolina.
Read about the three future CCEE Goodnight Scholars below.
Joel Robinson
Joel Robinson will graduate from Ashe County High School, where he was involved in Beta Club, Student Council, Mu Alpha Theta, Campus Crusade for Christ, as well as the Varsity Tennis and Cross Country teams. He is also involved in his local church and was a member of the junior division of Toastmasters International. Joel is a dual citizen of the U.S. and New Zealand. He plans to major in civil engineering.
Laiya Davis
Laiya Davis will graduate from Cumberland International Early College High School where she was part of the Science Olympiad and National Honors Society. She also held leadership positions in the Fayetteville Cumberland Youth Council throughout her high school career. Laiya was also involved in music and looks forward to continuing learning. Laiya plans to major in civil engineering.
Holly Albright
Holly Albright will graduate from East Forsyth High School where she was Woodwind Captain of the Blue Regiment Marching Band and received the Leadership in Woodwind Award. She was also involved in the National Honor Society, the National Technical Honor Society, and served as Secretary of Key Club. Holly plans to major in environmental engineering.
This story was originally published on the Goodnight Scholars Program website.