Three Reich College of Education (RCOE) students have been inducted into the Cratis D. Williams Society of Outstanding Graduates:
- Christian Clack
- Victor Salgado
- Christie Williams
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 on their academic performance, their engagement in their discipline, and their potential for leadership.
Christian Clack
After completing his graduate certificate in special education from Appalachian State University in 2024, Christian Clack, from Taylorsville, North Carolina, will graduate this December with a Master of Arts in Special Education. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in discipleship studies from Gardner-Webb University.
For Clack, App State felt like the perfect fit: “The program offered targeted courses and incredible support from professors, giving me the knowledge I needed to succeed in special education.”
“Continuing from the Residency program into the Master’s just made sense — the professors were incredibly supportive, and the experience equipped me to better meet my students’ needs and make a real difference in their lives,” he continued.
Reflecting on the honor, Clack shared, “Receiving this award affirms that the hard work, late nights, and dedication were worth it. It shows I am prepared to make a lasting impact on the field of special education and make a difference for the students I work with.”
After graduation, Clack plans to continue teaching in his current classroom and help his students reach their fullest potential.
Victor Salgado
Victor Salgado, from Morganton, North Carolina, is graduating this December with dual master’s degrees: Master of Arts in higher education and a Master of Business Administration. He earned his Bachelor of Science in business administration from North Carolina Wesleyan College.
App State’s dual-degree program provided Salgado with the ideal combination of business and education.
“The MBA helped me learn how to improve operations, plan ahead, and support my team with strong business decisions. The Higher Ed program supported my interest in teaching, advising, and helping students,” he noted.
Being inducted into the Cratis D. Williams Society was a meaningful recognition for Salgado.
“I thought I was moving through the program under the radar, yet this honor shows that my effort was noticed,” he said. “The hard work, long hours, and quiet doubt were worth it.”
“While it gives me pride, it also reminds me to keep learning and to use my training to guide others as they work toward their goals,” he added.
After graduation, Salgado hopes to teach leadership courses as well as advise and support first-generation students.
“Working with the First-Generation Student Support Program is important to me, and I hope to use what I’ve learned to guide students as they move through school and plan their future,” he added.
Christie Williams
Christie Williams, from Asheboro, North Carolina, completed her Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and her Master of Arts in higher education from Appalachian State University. She will graduate with her Doctorate in educational leadership in December 2025.
Williams chose to pursue a doctorate because of the exceptional experience she had during her master’s program.
“When I first began searching for a master’s program, I specifically wanted one that offered synchronous online learning,” said Williams. “It was important to me to feel connected to a community and to avoid the isolation that can often accompany fully asynchronous online courses.”
She was also drawn to App State's strong reputation and affordability.
“Finding a university that was both economically accessible and academically respected was very important to me, and App State checked both boxes,” she said. “My master’s program confirmed that I had made the right choice.”
“The supportive community and high-quality education ultimately inspired me to stay and pursue my doctorate,” she added.
For Williams, receiving this award is a “profound honor”.
“My time at App State has helped to shape me academically, professionally, and personally, and this recognition celebrates every part of that journey,” she said. “I am incredibly grateful for the support, encouragement, and sense of community I found at Appalachian.”
Continuing her education was both personal fulfillment and a commitment to advancing her career.
“I chose Instructional Technology Leadership to deepen my understanding of how technology can be thoughtfully implemented to enhance teaching and learning,” said Williams.
After graduation, her first step is simple: “rest and relaxation!”
“I am looking forward to the novelty of having a weekend without the pressure of reading scholarly articles or racing to finish papers at 11:59 p.m.,” she said. “Once I remember what free time feels like, I am excited to continue the work ahead.”
Once she has reclaimed her free time, Williams plans to continue advancing the mission of higher education.
“I am passionate about assisting faculty in designing high-quality courses and leading initiatives that make technology a meaningful tool for improving student success,” she added.
Three headshots in individual squares. Fourth square is yellow.
