Goodnight Scholarships Continues to Grow

The Goodnight Scholarships office is excited to announce that our community is expanding! Starting Fall 2025, the Goodnight Scholarships office will double its freshman class enrollment from 50 to 100 first-year students per year, and grow its new transfer class enrollment from 50 to 60 students per year. In total, the annual number of students who receive the Goodnight Scholarship will increase from 350 to 580 over the next four years. 

Founded by NC State alumni Jim and Ann Goodnight, the Goodnight Scholarships office provides full-tuition scholarships for students from low-middle income families from across North Carolina who are pursuing STEM and STEM education careers. The program welcomed its first cohort of freshmen in 2008, and expanded to include transfer students from North Carolina’s community colleges in 2017.

In addition to the Goodnight Scholarship, currently valued at $23,000 per year, Goodnight Scholars participate in a comprehensive student development program featuring academic support, professional development, mentorship, leadership opportunities and travel. Scholars also have access to additional enrichment funding to support their unique pursuits. 

“It has been my privilege to witness firsthand the incredible impact this program has had on our students,” says the program’s executive director, Allison Medlin, noting that since its inception, more than 1,000 students have received the Goodnight Scholarship. “They’ve benefitted from a robust community of scholars and staff, ensuring that they receive the support and development they need to reach their full potential at NC State and beyond.” 

The program’s commitment to supporting low- to middle-income students has made higher education — and STEM careers — more accessible across North Carolina. More than 40% of the 2023-24 Goodnight Scholars were first-generation college students and nearly half hailed from the state’s most underserved counties.

“As a product of a similar undergraduate program, I know firsthand how impactful a scholarship like the Goodnight is,” shares associate director Anthony Olaiya Wright. “To be able to provide this opportunity to more students across North Carolina is incredibly exciting, not only for the recipients, but for our entire professional team.”

With the increase in scholars comes an increase in support, staffing, and space. The Goodnight Scholarships office plans to expand the number of professional staff, in conjunction with population growth, to ensure that student support services and opportunities remain intact across both programs. Additionally, the program will expand its physical space to allow for additional offices and common space for students.

“Amidst this expansion, we remain committed to ensuring that every Goodnight Scholar is a part of a welcoming and supportive environment. I look forward to welcoming additional staff members who can maintain and build upon our legacy of fostering a strong, inclusive community” says associate director, Jill Zalewski.