Each cohort of Park Scholars benefits from the close mentorship of two distinguished members of NC State’s faculty. These two professors, known as Park Faculty Scholars, journey with the students through their four-year Park Enrichment Academy experiences, learning from and with the scholars while they also provide valuable guidance and support to each student.
More than just advisors, these esteemed faculty members are dedicated mentors, facilitating essential learning experiences and fostering a rich intellectual environment for every class of scholars. They represent a broad range of disciplines, ensuring comprehensive guidance and a connection to the full breadth of NC State’s academic excellence.
These dedicated mentors are the heartbeat of our program’s experiential learning and personal development, guiding scholars not just academically, but across our four pillars: scholarship, leadership, service, and character.
Park Faculty Scholars consistently demonstrate an extraordinary level of success and engagement.
They are instrumental in opening doors to new opportunities for our scholars, from connecting them with groundbreaking research to facilitating transformative global experiences. Their dedication extends beyond the Park program; these faculty members are also celebrated figures across the broader NC State campus, consistently earning accolades and recognition for their exceptional contributions to student learning and their integral role in shaping the university’s academic landscape.
Their unwavering commitment to mentorship and their ability to foster a rigorous yet supportive environment directly contribute to the scholars’ academic excellence, leadership acumen, and profound commitment to service, year after year.
These faculty are widely recognized and awarded across NC State for their exceptional contributions to student success and their integral role in shaping the university’s academic landscape.
Read on to discover recent Park Faculty Scholar success stories.
Class of 2025 Park Faculty Scholars
We celebrate Trino Ascencio-Ibáñez and Kay Sandberg as they reach a transitional point in their roles as Park Faculty Scholars. With the commencement of the Class of 2025, they join the community of Park faculty alumni.
On May 1, 2025, Trino and Kay (as they are known to their class) greeted graduates as they crossed the stage. Reflecting on all they have learned from the Class of 2025, they shared the significance of the moment through laughs and tears. The two were gifted personalized recipe books by the Class of 2025, inspired by the recipe-sharing excitement at Trino’s salsa night!
Read more about the Class of 2025 Park CommencementDr. Trino Ascencio-Ibáñez | Expanding Undergraduate Lab Access
Teaching Associate Professor, Co-Director of Undergraduate Programs, Coordinator of Undergraduate Research, Global Faculty – Molecular and Structural Biochemistry
Dr. Trino Ascencio-Ibáñez, a dedicated Park Faculty Scholar for the Class of 2025, is celebrated for his profound impact as a mentor and educator. He has recently been promoted to full professor in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences!
Just last year, he received the Outstanding CALS Alumni Award in Biochemistry, adding to his significant recognitions, including the Outstanding Global Engagement Award in 2018.
Dr. Trino Ascencio-Ibáñez was recently featured by the NC State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences for his work with the Biochemistry Undergraduate Research and Training Program (BURT-P). There, he works with highly motivated students to develop practical skills for research-based career applications.
“Ascencio-Ibáñez started the Biochemistry Undergraduate Research and Training Program more than a decade ago with the goal of giving more undergraduate students hands-on experience in the laboratory” (NC State CALS).
As presented in the CALs article, he advises students “to fully embrace the growth opportunities offered by NC State, emphasizing the importance of exploring beyond coursework,” a philosophy he truly embodies in his impactful work.
Read more about Trino’s workDr. Kay Sandberg | Teaching Excellence Nominee
Teaching Professor, Chemistry
Dr. Kay Sandberg, a distinguished Teaching Professor of Chemistry, has been an invaluable Park Faculty Scholar for the Class of 2025. Her dedication to student success is a hallmark of her more than 20 years at NC State, where she also earned her Ph.D. in chemistry.
Dr. Sandberg was recently named the College of Sciences’ nominee for the Provost’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, the most prestigious award for exceptional teaching given to full-time faculty across NC State’s colleges. This recognition underscores her innovative and effective approaches in the classroom, particularly in organic chemistry, a subject she strives to make not only understandable, but enjoyable.
Beyond her teaching, Dr. Sandberg actively mentors students. As a Park Faculty Scholar, she has guided the Class of 2025, embodying her commitment to student growth, both academically and personally.
As her 2025 class of Park Scholars transitions into new chapters, she will remain a cherished mentor within the Park community.
Class of 2026 Park Faculty Scholars
Dr. Karey Harwood | Promotion and First Year as Associate Department Head
Professor, Religious Studies and Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies; Associate Department Head – Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
Dr. Karey Harwood, a dedicated Park Faculty Scholar for the Class of 2026, is a dynamic leader, accomplished scholar, and inspiring educator. This year, she embarked on a pivotal new role as the associate department head of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, where her leadership will undoubtedly shape academic directions and foster intellectual growth.
This comes at a pivotal point in her career as she was promoted to full professor this spring.
She won the Outstanding Teacher Award in 2010 and the Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor award in 2019 and is a member of the NC State Academy of Outstanding Teachers. She is also an affiliated faculty member of the Genetic Engineering and Society Center. (College of Humanities and Social Sciences).
Beyond her administrative duties, Dr. Harwood continues her impactful scholarship with the recent publication of her book, Wake: Why the Battle over Diverse Public Schools Still Matters. This timely work delves into crucial issues surrounding educational equity and public policy, reflecting her deep commitment to societal well-being and critical inquiry.
As a Park Faculty Scholar, Dr. Harwood brings this rich blend of academic leadership, scholarly engagement, and commitment to social impact to her mentorship, inspiring the Class of 2026 to think critically and pursue meaningful change.
In a recent graduation speech, Dr. Harwood emphasized the skills she cultivates in her students, stating: “You have learned to discern meaning and deploy reason. You have learned what careful attention it requires to recognize values, and you have learned something about the courage needed to question groupthink. You have dared to think for yourselves! These skills are more valuable than you may now fully appreciate.”
Read more about the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies’ recent graduation ceremony, including a mention of Park Scholar Rose Ambrose ‘25Dr. Naji Husseini | Resilience Role Model
Teaching Associate Professor, Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies – Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Naji Husseini, a dedicated Park Faculty Scholar for the Class of 2026, truly embodies perseverance and an unwavering commitment to challenge.
His exceptional commitment to teaching was recognized last year with the prestigious 2024 Johnston Teaching Excellence Award, a testament to his significant impact on student learning and development.
Beyond his academic prowess, Dr. Husseini recently completed the grueling Cruel Jewel 100 — a 103.9+ mile ultra-marathon through the unforgiving terrain of North Georgia, tackled in under 39 hours. This formidable race, his 17th one-hundred-plus-mile race, was a personal triumph as he navigated a comeback from injury amid challenging conditions.
Dr. Husseini’s philosophy directly translates to his mentorship. As he shares: “But hard things are hard for a reason: to challenge ourselves and remind us that, unlike machines, humans can push beyond our design specifications. Whether an ultramarathon or an undergraduate degree program, focusing on something… can push us to achieve things we might think are impossible. Don’t prematurely set limits; go find something hard and marvel at what you can accomplish.”
As a Park Faculty Scholar, he brings this powerful message of resilience and boundless potential to the Class of 2026, inspiring them to embrace their own challenging paths.
Class of 2027 Park Faculty Scholars
Dr. Mary Elting ‘07 | Cell Research Fellowship
Associate Professor, Physics
Dr. Mary Elting ‘07, a Park alumna and Park Faculty Scholar for the Class of 2027, is recognized for her innovative research exploring the fundamental mechanics of cellular life. As a recent Whitman Fellow at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, Dr. Elting delved into the intricate structure and extreme movements of Spirostomum, a giant single-celled organism.
Her groundbreaking work in this area is not only advancing our understanding of cell biology but is also inspiring new applications in fields like bio-engineering. To gain further insight into Dr. Elting’s fascinating research and how “Spiro’s” unique movements drive scientific discovery, you can watch this short YouTube video.
As a Park Faculty Scholar, Dr. Elting brings this spirit of scientific inquiry and discovery directly to her mentorship, encouraging scholars to push boundaries in their own academic pursuits.
Fun fact: Dr. Elting is the first Park Scholar to serve as a Park Faculty Scholar!
Dr. Nathan Goldman | Multiple Outstanding Recognitions
Professor, Accounting, University Faculty Scholar, Stephen P. Zelnak Jr. Scholar – Department of Accounting
Dr. Nathan Goldman’s dedication to research and classroom excellence has recently earned him several notable recognitions. He has been honored with the NC State Outstanding Teacher Award as well as the Poole College of Management Research Leadership Award.
Dr. Nathan Goldman, an esteemed Park Faculty Scholar for the Class of 2027, is consistently celebrated for his exceptional contributions to research and classroom excellence. His unwavering dedication has recently been acknowledged with multiple significant honors, including the prestigious NC State Outstanding Teacher Award and the Poole College of Management Research Leadership Award. These accolades underscore his profound impact on student learning and his significant contributions to the field of accounting.
Further testament to his distinguished career, Dr. Goldman will officially assume the role of full professor for the Fall 2025 semester, marking an incredibly exciting time in his professional journey. As a Park Faculty Scholar, Dr. Goldman embodies the high standards of scholarship and leadership he fosters in his students, guiding the Class of 2027 with his wealth of experience and commitment to academic rigor.
Class of 2028 Park Faculty Scholars
Dr. Jeremy Feducia | Excellence in Advising
Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor – Department of Chemistry; Director of Undergraduate Programs – Integrative Sciences Initiative
Dr. Jeremy Feducia is celebrated for his profound impact on undergraduate education and student mentorship. As the Director of Undergraduate Programs for the Integrative Sciences Initiative and an Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor in the Department of Chemistry, Dr. Feducia consistently champions student growth and academic excellence.
His exceptional commitment to guiding students was recently recognized when he became one of the first recipients of the Excellence in Advising Award from the College of Sciences, a testament to his innovative and supportive approach to student development. Building on this momentum, he was also honored last year with the prestigious 2024 Alumni Distinguished Professor Award, further highlighting his outstanding contributions to teaching and mentorship across NC State. His unwavering dedication to fostering student success makes him an invaluable mentor to the Park Scholars.
Read more about the Excellence in Advising Award → [Article coverage link]
In his leadership role with the Integrative Sciences Initiative, Dr. Feducia is at the forefront of shaping interdisciplinary science education at NC State, preparing students to tackle complex challenges that span traditional academic boundaries. This focus on connecting diverse fields and fostering comprehensive understanding perfectly aligns with the Park Scholars’ emphasis on broad intellectual curiosity and collaborative problem-solving. As a Park Faculty Scholar, he inspires the Class of 2027 to embrace similarly expansive approaches in their own scholarship and leadership.
Dr. Sarah Khan | Elevating Business Technology Education
Teaching Professor – Department of Business Management (Information Technology and Business Analytics)
Dr. Sarah Khan brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for modern business education to her role. As a Teaching Professor in the Department of Business Management, specializing in Information Technology and Business Analytics, she plays a vital role in preparing students to navigate the complexities of data-driven environments and technological innovation. Her dedication ensures that scholars are equipped with cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills essential for today’s dynamic professional landscape.
Her commitment to excellence in pedagogy and her significant contributions to student learning have been recently recognized through her well-deserved promotion from Associate Teaching Professor to Teaching Professor. This advancement is a testament to her sustained impact, leadership within the teaching track, and her unwavering dedication to fostering student success within the Poole College of Management. This prestigious elevation highlights her mastery in the classroom and her influence beyond it.
As a Park Faculty Scholar, Dr. Khan embodies the forward-thinking approach that defines the program. She guides the Class of 2027 with her deep understanding of technology’s role in business, inspiring them to leverage data and innovation to create positive change. Her mentorship encourages scholars to develop analytical acumen and strategic thinking, preparing them to lead in an increasingly interconnected world.
Shout-out to William C. Friday Award Recipient, Dr. Walt Wolfram, Park Faculty Scholar Class of 2005.
Hosted annually by the Park Scholars senior class, the William C. Friday Award was established in 2000 and named for the former president of the University of North Carolina System. This award honors Friday’s dedication and excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and character, and recognizes individuals who emulate Friday’s dedication to those principles. President Friday advised the Park Scholars on the selection of recipients for many years, and his successors have carried on this tradition; this year, Class of 2025 planning committee members met with President Peter Hans to discuss their candidates.
Dr. Wolfram’s lecture resonated with the NC State community. Audience engagement was strong, and attendees enjoyed a topic with local relevance and cultural significance. Scholars reflected on the importance of his message: that dialects—particularly those rooted in specific regions—are not just ways of speaking, but vital expressions of identity and history that deserve recognition and preservation.
His message was clear: preserving historical linguistic diversity, especially within our own communities, is a shared responsibility.
Dr. Wolfram dedicated his lecture, “Talkin’ Tar Heel”, to Dr. Ana Maria Kennedy. Together, the two served as Park Faculty Scholars for the Class of 2005. Several scholars from the Class of 2005 attended a reception to celebrate Dr. Wolfram.
Dr. Wolfram’s family, including three children and seven grandchildren, attended to support the recognition of his well-spent career.