Adams, Hall to Serve as Spring 2024 Commencement Speakers

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (March 1, 2024) – Two renowned women – Stephanie G. Adams ‘89, Ph.D., and Tamron Hall – will serve as North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s Spring 2024 Commencement keynote speakers, university officials announced today.

Adams, fifth dean of the University of Texas at Dallas Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, is the keynote speaker for the graduate student ceremony Friday, May 10, at 9 a.m. in the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts.

Adams is an honors graduate of N.C. A&T where she received her B.S. in mechanical engineering. She was awarded an ME in systems engineering in 1991 from the University of Virginia and a Ph.D. in interdisciplinary engineering in 1998 from Texas A&M University, where she concentrated on industrial engineering and management. She is past president and Fellow of the American Society of Engineering Education and member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Board of Directors, in addition to holding membership in other professional organizations. She also has served on the board of many science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) organizations including the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE), the National Society of Black Engineers, Women in Engineering ProActive Network (WEPAN) and the National GEM Consortium. She has worked with the National Academy of Engineering, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Institute of Industrial Engineers, Quality Education for Minorities Network and the Council of Graduate Schools to build supportive educational coalitions and partnerships in advancing the engineering profession and educational community.

Before becoming Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science dean, Adams served as dean of Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology at Old Dominion University (2016-19), department head and professor of engineering education at Virginia Tech (2011-16) and held faculty and administrative positions at Virginia Commonwealth University (2008-11) and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (1998-08). Her research interests include broadening participation, faculty and graduate student development, international/global education, teamwork and team effectiveness and quality control and management.

In 2003, Adams received the CAREER award from the Engineering Education and Centers Division of the National Science Foundation as a leader in the advancement and inclusion of all in STEM education. Other honors she has received include the 2017 WEPAN Founder’s Award (2017); the 2016 ASEE Engineering Management Division Bernard R. Sarchet Award; 2013 North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Distinguished Alumni Award and 2008 DuPont Minorities in Engineering Award from the American Society of Engineering Education. She was selected as an AAAS/NSF Science and Engineering Policy Fellow in 2005 and an invited participant for the 2006 U.S. Frontiers in Engineering Symposium hosted by the National Academy of Engineering.

Hall, executive producer and host of the nationally syndicated “The Tamron Hall Show,” is the keynote speaker for the baccalaureate student ceremonies Saturday, May 11, at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Greensboro Coliseum.

Hall received a B.A. in broadcast journalism from Temple University, where she serves on the board of trustees. She made history in 2014 as the first African American female co-host of NBC’s “TODAY.” Her journalistic excellence has earned her numerous accolades, including two Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host, Gracie Awards from the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation in 2020 and 2022, inclusion on the Variety500 list in 2022, and nominations for 13 Daytime Emmy Awards, four NAACP Image Awards, a GLAAD Media Award and an Iris Award.

Hall’s debut novel, “As the Wicked Watch,” was published Oct. 26, 2021, as the first book in her critically acclaimed “Jordan Manning” mystery series and became an instant Editor’s Pick on Amazon. Additionally, she hosts Court TV’s original true-crime series “Someone They Knew with Tamron Hall.”

After experiencing a personal loss to domestic violence, Hall has become an impactful advocate and supporter of Safe Horizon, a national organization that offers a variety of programs to support survivors of abuse. She is also passionate about raising awareness of the challenges faced by young people dealing with mental health problems and the importance of seeking help and support.

An ardent philanthropist, Hall uses her platform to amplify voices and raise awareness about issues close to her heart, leaving an enduring impact on communities across the globe. In March 2023 – observed as Women’s Herstory Month – she received a proclamation from the New York City Council for Outstanding Service and Achievements.

“Dr. Adams and Ms. Hall are remarkable women whose leadership, accomplishments and commitment to service have made them role models,” said Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr. “Their experiences and insight are certain to inspire our North Carolina A&T graduates and the entire Aggie community in all future endeavors.”

More than 1,500 students, including more than 300 graduate students, will participate in the Spring 2024 ceremonies, which will be livestreamed.

Media interested in covering commencement in person should submit a request, including complete contact information, to jtorok@ncat.edu by 5 p.m. Friday, April 26.