N.C. A&T Announces 2023 Dowdy Scholars Cohort

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Sept. 27, 2023) – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has announced its newest cohort of Lewis and Elizabeth Dowdy Scholars – 20 academically talented first-year students who have joined the Aggie family as members of the class of 2027.

This year’s Dowdy Scholars boast an average cumulative GPA of 4.22, with test scores being optional for this selection cycle, and ranked on average in the top 10 % of their graduating high school class.

There are eight scholars from North Carolina, three from Maryland, three from Georgia, two from Texas, and the remaining from Kentucky, Delaware, Florida, and Illinois.

“We are so excited to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of the 2027 Dowdy scholars and extend our heartfelt congratulations to them as they embark on their education at N.C. A&T,” said Margaret I. Kanipes, Ph.D., A&T Honors College dean. “Their arrival on campus fills us with excitement for the promising future they bring to our institution and country.”

The scholarship is named in honor of the late Dr. Lewis C. Dowdy, A&T’s sixth president and first chancellor, and his wife, Elizabeth. He served the university for more than 21 years. The administration building was named for him in 1981, the year after he stepped down as chancellor.

Scholars receive a four-year renewable award that covers tuition and related fees, housing and meals, as well as a book stipend, for up to four years. In addition to the scholarship, scholars receive enrichment programming where they are exposed to opportunities of leadership development, social awareness, research with faculty, co-ops and internships, study abroad experiences and more.

This year’s scholars are:

• Imani Barnes, daughter of Emmanuel and Katina Barnes, is from Clinton, Maryland and a graduate of Oxon Hill High School. She is studying biology on the pre-med track. She desires to become an anesthesiologist and a medical researcher in hopes of saving many lives and carrying a patient through surgery safely. Her long-term goa is to make a difference in her community and perform studies to create unimaginable answers to questions in medical research.

• Nyla Baxter, daughter of Rogers and Sallie Baxter, is from Stone Mountain, Georgia and a graduate of Arabia Mountain High School. She is studying chemical engineering with a minor in multimedia journalism. Her goal is to become a CEO of an engineering company and launch a nonprofit that provides financial assistance to students pursuing STEM education who lack financial resources. With this nonprofit, she hopes to develop a scholarship for young African American female engineers in her community.

• Kennedy Brown, daughter of Darwin and Kathleen Brown, is from Desoto, Texas and a graduate of Duncanville High School. She is studying nursing with a minor in business. Upon earning her bachelor's degree, Brown plans to begin her career as a labor and delivery nurse. Long-term she would like to become a nurse practitioner in pursuit of opening her own nonprofit women's health practices in underrepresented communities.

• Josiah Finley, son of Nicholas Finley and Latascha Craig, is from Louisville, Kentucky and a graduate of Atherton High School. He is studying biology (pre-med) and plans to minor in psychology or chemistry. His goals are to complete medical school and develop a career in neurology.

• Ian Franco, son of Oba Franco and Valene McMasters, is from Winston-Salem, North Carolina and a graduate of Parkland High School. He is studying mechanical engineering with a concentration in aerospace. He plans to pursue a career in the aerospace industry designing or developing autonomous aircraft.

• Aysha Genrette, daughter of Andrea Genrette, is from New Castle, Delaware and a graduate of Caravel Academy. She is studying liberal studies (pre-law). After completing her bachelor’s degree, she aspires to obtain a juris doctorate degree and practice in the field of law as a criminal defense attorney. In conjunction with her career, Genrette hopes to focus on ameliorating social injustices such as: prison reformation to encourage successful reintegration into society, food insecurity within underserved communities, and the widening wage gap throughout minority communities.

• RaShawn Hamlette, son of Reginald and Lenora Hamlette, is from Temple Hills, Maryland and a graduate of Oxon Hill High School. He is studying biology (pre-med). Upon completing his undergraduate degree, Hamlette plans to attend medical school.

• Regis Harris, son of Regis and Kia Harris, is from Douglasville, Georgia and a graduate of Chapel Hill High School. He is studying biology with a minor in psychology. His ultimate career goal is to become a psychiatrist in hopes of eradicating the rising number of mental health issues found in African Americans and athletes.

• Chelsea Jackson, daughter of John and Kyhana Jackson, is from Kernersville, North Carolina and a graduate of Atkins Academic and Technology High School. She is studying mechanical engineering with a minor in information technology. Upon earning her bachelor’s degree, she hopes to fulfil her passion of designing machines that will be more accessible to those with disabilities. Her goal is to advance into project management where she can lead a team of people towards technological advancements and serve as a role model for other young women.

• Kendra Mauney, daughter of Mark and Marian Mauney, is from Charlotte, North Carolina and a graduate of Mallard Creek High School. She is studying health services management. Her goal is to serve in an executive role at a practice that serves African American women.

• Davon Michael, son of Jay and Davonia Michael, is from High Point, North Carolina and a graduate of High Point Central High School. He is studying bioengineering with a minor in business. Upon completing his undergraduate degree, Michael plans to enter medical school. He hopes to practice medicine and have extensive community service involvement including through his own business venture.

• Austin Patterson, son of Arthur and Sonja Patterson, is from High Point and a graduate of Southwest Guilford High School. He is studying accounting with a minor in finance. His goal is to obtain a job with a Fortune 500 company and pursue a master’s degree.

• Ryan Pennington, son of Rodney and Bouviette Pennington, is from Beltsville, Maryland and a graduate of St. Vincent Pallotti High School. He is studying mechanical engineering with a minor in business. His goal is to start a nonprofit focusing on kids in underprivileged communities and exposing them to STEM and the different careers they can aspire to, helping them realize that they too can change the world.

• Johnathan Richards, son of John and Kelle Richards, is from Concord, North Carolina and a graduate of Cox Mill High School. He is studying computer science with a minor in journalism and mass communications. His ultimate goal after graduation is to foster a new generation of cyber security professionals. His focus is primarily on finding a solution to corporate phishing and other attacks on our systems.

• Cameron “Zaki” Roshell, daughter of Win and Pamela Roshell, is from Douglasville and a graduate of New Manchester High School. She is studying marketing. After obtaining her degree, she plans to pursue an MBA, launch her own marketing firm and partner with major brands to develop multi-million-dollar marketing campaigns.

• Shia Rozier, daughter of Spencer Rozier and Melva Harris-Rozier, is from Riviera Beach, Florida and a graduate of Palm Beach Lakes High School. She is studying journalism and mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minoring in political science. She plans to pursue a juris doctor and work to further diversity and inclusion through the law.

• Nyela Rucker, daughter of Reginald and Vernette Rucker, is from Charlotte and a graduate of Charlotte Latin School. She is studying biology with a minor in African American studies and journalism and mass communications. Her goal is to pursue a doctor of philosophy in biology to further her understanding on plant biology and neurobiology, studying the effect of holistic medicine and trauma within the Black community.

• Terra Smith, daughter of John and Tonya Glover, is from Fayetteville, North Carolina and a graduate of Cumberland Polytechnic High School. She is studying marketing with a minor in psychology. Her ultimate career goal is to create a global marketing campaign for a brand that she believes in.

• Nathaniel Thornton, son of Douglas and Kelley Thornton, is from Calumet City, Illinois and a graduate of De La Salle Institute. He is studying criminal justice with a minor in military leadership. After completing Army ROTC and his bachelor’s degree, he plans to attend law school to pursue commissioning into the Army as a JAG Corps lawyer or becoming a criminal lawyer and using his ROTC commission to join the Army Reserves or National Guard.

• Jayde Wilson, daughter of Jeannie Coleman, is from Houston and a graduate of Northside High School. She is studying agriculture and minor in business. Her goal is to open a chain of affordable and nutritious supermarkets and vegetable shops to service areas that are considered food deserts.