Four Reich College of Education (RCOE) students have been inducted into the Cratis D. Williams Society of Outstanding Graduates: Cassidy Greene, Shannon Jordan, Jessica Rocklein, and Curtis Wilson.
The society is designed to include each year’s top graduates of the Cratis D. Williams Graduate School at Appalachian State University – approximately the top 2%. Students are chosen based upon their academic performance, their engagement in their discipline, and their potential for leadership.
Cassidy Greene
Cassidy Greene, originally from Spruce Pine, North Carolina, completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2017 and will graduate this May with her master’s degree in professional school counseling.
“Receiving this award is such a personal milestone for me,” said Greene. “This honor is the greatest affirmation that hard work and dedication truly pay off. I am eternally grateful to be selected as an inductee to the Cratis D. Williams Society of Outstanding Graduates.
After attending Appalachian State University for four years as an undergraduate student, Greene could not begin to think of a better institution to complete her master’s degree. “This university has become my home; a home filled with excellent professors, the beautiful Appalachian Mountains, a legendary football tradition, and the true charm of southern hospitality,” said Greene.
Greene chose Professional School Counseling because she wanted to help students develop academically, and socially/emotionally. “I want to promote a safe, caring environment where students can feel comfortable seeking help and sharing their experiences,” said Greene.
As a native of western, North Carolina, Greene is deeply rooted in Appalachia culture. From the start of pursuing a career in Professional School Counseling, her goal has been to give back to the rural population that she is proud to be a part of. After graduation she will seek employment in a rural school setting, while working to gain my Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA) license.
Shannon Jordan
Shannon Jordan, originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan, will graduate this May with her doctorate in educational leadership. She completed her bachelor’s degree in public administration from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan and her master’s degree in college student personnel administration at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas.
“I was so shocked and humbled to receive this award,” said Jordan. “During the past five years as I have been working on this doctorate, I have often wondered how I could balance it all and give proper attention to school while being a full-time staff member and mom of two? This award means that I was able to commit myself to my education as well as the other areas of my life. It was a great feeling to know that my program faculty saw the work I was able to produce as a doctoral student in spite of all I have to balance on a daily basis.”
Jordan chose to attend Appalachian because she is a professional staff member here. “I decided it was time to pursue my doctorate degree, and it made perfect sense for where I was in my life,” said Jordan. “It was also beneficial for my work to have the student experience; I believe it has helped me to become a better informed professional on this campus.”
“I chose the Educational Leadership program because I want to be a leader in my field, which is working in campus housing,” said Jordan. “Through the program I learned how to think in different and more complex ways. The dissertation process brought out in me what I thought was an impossible task. I am so happy I decided to pursue this program, it has truly been a life goal realized.”
Jordan plans to continue her role as the Senior Associate Director in University Housing at Appalachian. “I would also like to begin work with our local school system related my my dissertation topic (titled White Parents, Mixed Race Children: The Entangled Effects of Love, Racism, and Parenting),” said Jordan. “I would like to discuss with both educators and parents the importance of talking about race and racism and how to begin and sustain those conversations.”
Jessica Rocklein
Jessica Rocklein, originally from Mooresville, North Carolina, completed her bachelor’s degree in special education in 2018 and will graduate this May with her master’s degree in special education.
“I am ecstatic that I was nominated and have been chosen as a recipient of the Cratis D. Williams Society of Outstanding Graduates,” said Rocklein. “Appalachian has helped to shape me into the person I am today and being given an award that celebrates my time here is truly one of the greatest honors I have ever received.”
Rocklein chose Appalachian because of its reputation as an excellent teaching school. “I knew that by coming here I would receive the highest quality education and have many experiences out in the field before graduating,” said Rocklein.
“I decided to pursue a graduate degree so that I could further my knowledge in the field of special education - especially in Emotional Behavioral Disorders, Learning Disabilities, and Autism Spectrum Disorder,” said Rocklein.
Rocklein is looking forward to finally becoming a classroom teacher! She hopes to teach in a self contained special education classroom.
Curtis Wilson
Curtis Wilson, originally from Goldsboro, North Carolina, completed his bachelor’s degree in history education from East Carolina University and will graduate this May with his master’s degree in higher education.
“Receiving this award meant a lot to me,” said Wilson. “I took four years off between undergrad and graduate school to work as a teacher. I was extremely nervous to step back into an academic setting as a student. It is validating to know that I was able to achieve such an amazing honor after being worried about my academic transition at first.”
Wilson chose Appalachian because he felt a sense of community as soon as he stepped foot on campus. In addition, he loved what the Higher Education program had to offer.
“The Higher Education program here at App had everything that I was looking for as far as preparing me to be a successful post-secondary administrator,” said Wilson. “I now know so much more about finance, leadership, governance, and guiding adult learners.
Wilson plans on working in residence life as a housing coordinator at an institution in North Carolina. “My ultimate career goal is to one day be the director of housing at an institution,” said Wilson.
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