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For Dylan Matheny, engineering did not begin in a classroom. It began in the maintenance shops, inspection areas and testing facilities where he worked on complex aircraft systems as a Marine Corps aircraft engine mechanic. Over time, Matheny found himself drawn less to the task in front of him and more to the larger questions…
Matt Cairnes had built a life around music. As a musician from Scotland, he traveled the world, performed with others, wrote songs and built a career rooted in listening, connection and creative expression. Music also brought him to the person who would become his wife. Then, during the COVID pandemic, Cairnes moved from Scotland to…
Michelle Case had a question she could not ignore. After years of working in a public high school agricultural program in New York, supporting students and serving through Future Farmers of America (FFA), she wondered whether she would ever reach her own goal of leading an agricultural classroom. She had already started late by traditional…
Scott Rietvelt first came to NC State in 2003 as a political science major. A year later, his path changed. In 2004, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a cavalry scout and served on active duty until 2009. When he returned to NC State that fall, he quickly realized he was not yet prepared…
NC State has been recognized by Forbes as one of the best online master’s programs for military service members, earning the distinction of “Best Deal for North Carolina Residents.” In its 2026 ranking, Forbes highlighted NC State’s value for in-state students, noting its annual in-state graduate tuition and fees of $12,101. The ranking also cited…
Naval nuclear officer Markus Fornelius completed NC State's online MEM degree in just one year, formalizing his years of fleet leadership and confidently transitioning into the civilian world.
Hannah Williams, MPRTSM ’25, returned to NC State to grow as a campus recreation leader while balancing full-time work, graduate studies and basketball.
Cristina Maldonado, a Jenkins Online MBA student, co-founded the Operational Excellence Network (OEN) to connect students and professionals across North Carolina’s life sciences industry. The grassroots group supports mentorship, continuous improvement and real-world impact.
NC State’s College of Education is ranked #18 in the nation in the 2026U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Master’s in Education Programs rankings announced Jan. 27, 2026. That is up from two spots over last year and an improvement of 28 spots since 2022.
The Jenkins Online Master’s Programs continue to rank in the top 25 nationwide.
