N.C. A&T Honors Student Selected for Prestigious NSF STAIR Internship

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North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Honors College student Catherine R. Wilson has been selected as one of only five students nationwide out of more than 600 applicants for the highly competitive, inaugural National Science Foundation (NSF) Skilled Training in Administration and Institutional Research (STAIR) Internship Program. She will also have the opportunity to receive a travel award to attend and present at the NSF STAIR Summit at Penn State University on April 20-21, 2026, while connecting with research administrators and university leaders from across the country.

This is a photo of Catherine Wilson

Catherine Wilson is a February One Scholar.

Funded by a $5.1 million NSF award, the STAIR program is a national initiative led by the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State. The program aims to transform research administration across U.S. academic institutions by equipping future leaders with the tools and training needed to strengthen the national research ecosystem.

This fully remote, 10-week paid internship program provides participants with immersive, hands-on experience in research administration, including grant management, proposal development and regulatory compliance. Interns work closely with research administrators and faculty mentors, gaining unique insights into the infrastructure that supports academic research and contributing to institutional capacity-building efforts.

Wilson, a second-year student majoring in secondary mathematics education with a minor in finance, described the opportunity as a “dream come true” and a “once-in-a-lifetime chance to broaden her professional horizons.”

She prepared for the internship application with mentorship from Gerard Dumancas, Ph.D., associate dean of research and program innovation in the Honors College.

“This achievement is not only a testament to Catherine’s hard work and perseverance but also showcases Penn State’s commitment to supporting our students at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. To be selected as one of only 5 out of more than 600 students across America for this award is phenomenal.” said Dumancas.

“We are thrilled to have Catherine join the inaugural STAIR Internship Program. We also thank North Carolina A&T State University for fostering such talented students,” said Camelia Kantor, Ph.D., principal investigator of STAIR and associate director of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State. We look forward to working with her, supporting her growth, and seeing her contributions to the program. Additionally, we look forward to building more connections with N.C. A&T through future opportunities we’re offering.”

A native of Hemingway, South Carolina, Wilson has consistently defied expectations, emerging as a leader and scholar within and beyond the classroom. She is a February One Scholar, an Alpha Lambda Delta Freshmen Honor Society inductee, and now a proud NSF STAIR intern. Her accomplishments reflect a strong commitment to academic excellence, leadership, civic engagement, and service values that lie at the heart of the N.C. A&T Honors College mission.

Her long-term goal is to become a mathematics educator and advocate for equitable access to education and research opportunities. Through the NSF STAIR internship, she hopes to gain the skills necessary to contribute meaningfully to both the educational and research sectors.

“Catherine Wilson exemplifies the mission of the Honors College through her intellectual curiosity,” said Margaret Kanipes, Ph.D., dean of the Honors College. “Her selection for this prestigious internship reflects the power of student-centered learning and mentorship in preparing scholars to make meaningful contributions to their fields and communities. This is a proud moment for the Honors College and the N.C. A&T community.”

With a bright future ahead, Wilson stands as a remarkable representative of A&T, the Honors College and the next generation of educational and research leaders.

Read more about the NSF STAIR Program here.