WSSU math graduates continue to shine with graduate scholarships, internships, bright futures

As the Winston-Salem State University Mathematics Department prepared to celebrate the spring graduation of 10 seniors, Dr. Felicia Simpson realized it would soon be recruiting season.

Just last fall, Simpson, the WSSU mathematics chair, began the 2025-26 academic year with the smallest possible freshman class.

Zero.

She finished the school year with 13 first-year students.

A master recruiter and mentor, Simpson and her colleagues take up the annual search in WSSU’s math courses taken by students fulfilling requirements for other majors.

“Nobody enters school as a math major because students don’t know what opportunities are available in the field,” Simpson said. “Our instructors do an amazing job presenting material and teaching what will be helpful. Most of our students made a smooth transition.”

Simpson counsels each one of them one-one — professionally and on personal matters.

The results are easy to see. This spring, those former recruits are graduating with promising futures.

At least five will head on to graduate school on scholarship. Others have accepted paid internships and teaching offers.

“Our students have been very successful,” Simpson said. “They have shown amazing drive. They strive for success.”

WSSU students receive personalized support. They are funded to attend conferences and seminars — often presenting research — throughout the country.

Simpson has secured a grant that pays three WSSU math students to assist her in research using biostatistics to study aging.

Before their senior year, Simpson meets with each of them individually, provides guidance on crafting CVs and helps with their search for graduate schools or jobs.

“We are able to tailor an experience for each student,” Simpson said. “We support our math majors in any way we can. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing students get scholarships to go for free to graduate schools with tuition of more $100,000.”

Simpson said students gain valuable exposure and networking contacts by attending conferences.

In June, WSSU is hosting the GIRAFFE (Graph Theory and Data Science Interdisciplinary Research And Fostering Fellowship for Equity) workshop, focusing on graph theory and data science for faculty and undergraduate students. Lodging and stipends will be provided.

 Introducing the WSSU mathematics department’s Class of 2026:

Ja’Moya Blue, Brown University: The Charlotte native, selected for the competitive NextGen Scholarship, will receive a full scholarship, a paid research assistantship and a faculty mentor to support her academic and professional goals in pursuit of a Masters in Biostatistics. At Brown, she will join Torre Lloyd, another WSSU NextGen Scholar.

Aden Beatty, Duke University: Beatty was awarded a full tuition scholarship in Duke’s Master of Biostatistics program.

Za’kiya Toomer Sanders, Duke University: Sanders was awarded a full tuition scholarship in Duke’s Master of Biostatistics program.

Kennedi Riddle, Florida State University: Riddle was awarded a full scholarship and paid Graduate Teaching Assistantship for the FSU Master of Biostatistics program.

Jada Douthit, Wake Forest University: Douthit was awarded a partial scholarship into the WFU Master of Business Analytics program with a concentration in sports analytics.

Meeya Johnson-Williams, Teach For America: Johnson-Williams has accepted an offer from Teach For America. Meeya will serve in the Eastern North Carolina Placement Community, teaching high school mathematics. Teach For America will support her throughout the entire process of earning her teaching license and certification.

Patrick Stephen and Malaysia Reed, Michigan State University: Stephen and Reed were selected for the Summer Research opportunities program (SROP) at MSU and will receive housing and a stipend while sharpening their mathematical and statistical development skills.

Alyssa Edgerton and Kyasia Avery: Edgerton and Avery are still considering future plans.