Ph.D. student Adam Schmidt represents NC State at Graduate Education Day at N.C. General Assembly

CCEE Ph.D. student Adam Schmidt, alongside other graduate students, faculty and administrators from across North Carolina, shared the value of the state’s graduate education with legislators as part of Graduate Education Day at the N.C. General Assembly. 

Each year, the N.C. Council of Graduate Schools coordinate with both public and private universities to visit legislators to share the value of graduate education and the economic impacts of graduate research.  

This year marked the 11th installment of Graduate Education Day where more than 80 participants from 14 universities visited with North Carolina policymakers to share their stories, their research and talk about the ongoing needs of graduate students.

Representing NC State were Schmidt, Prya Darshni, Ph.D. student in electrical and computer engineering; and Cassondra Newman, Ph.D. student in plant breeding and genetics. These students had the unique opportunity to sit in on committee meetings and visit the offices of Sen. Dan Blue, Sen. Sarah Crawford, Sen. Jim Perry, Rep. Allison A. Dahle, and Sen. Lisa S. Barnes. Joining the students were Kevin Howell, vice chancellor for external affairs, partnership and economic development, and David Shafer, assistant dean for outreach and diversity for the NC State Graduate School. 

Students, legislators, and their staff enjoyed an informal networking opportunity over some delicious NC State Howling Cow ice cream to cap off the day. 

This story was originally published by NC State’s Graduate School.

This post was originally published in the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering.