… giving sustains our legacy.

At NC State, giving back reflects a shared commitment to community — a reflection of pride, Pack spirit and purpose. Through I Give Because, we share the stories behind the Wolfpack’s devotion — the people whose generosity keeps this red-and-white heartbeat strong.

This installment features Courtney Simpson ’05 ’08 ’24, former Black Alumni Society (BAS) president, who has graduated from NC State three times with degrees that include a Ph.D. in higher education opportunity, equity and justice; an M.Ed. in counselor education and a B.A. in communication media. Simpson is also the Senior Director of Collegiate Programs for NC State’s TRIO Programs, which are devoted to helping low-income Americans gain access to higher education, be successful during college and continue that success after graduation.

A first-generation student, Simpson worked hard to build a foundation of dedicated NC State faculty who saw her potential, pushed her to think critically and created spaces where she could thrive, which she believes is what ultimately led her to success. Her work today continues to support other first-generation students, with each degree deepening her commitment to higher education’s responsibility to serve all students without barriers.

Q: Finish this sentence: “I give because …” 

A: I give because giving sustains our legacy. I have always been motivated by the stories of those who came before me and the highlights I share are intended to be reflections of that living legacy built by generations of wolves who believed in this institution and its responsibility to the broader community. Being a public ambassador allows me to help steward that legacy by using storytelling as a form of service, connecting alumni to their alma mater, affirming their contributions and highlighting how the university continues to fulfill its mission.

Q: What is important to you that our readers know about your journey? Tell us about your personal connection to the Wolfpack!

A: I want readers to know that my journey with the Wolfpack is deeply connected to my feelings of belonging and a sense of service. NC State was not just where I earned my degrees, but also where I learned to see myself as a scholar, a leader and someone who could lift others as I climbed. As a student, professional and alumni leader, NC State has consistently embodied for me a community with a shared responsibility to service that extends beyond self. Every role I have held reflects my belief that, with the proper resources, and, by staying connected, we can honor legacies by changing lives.

Q: Is there a particular moment, person or experience that determined how you chose to give back to the Pack? Give us some examples of your work.

A: My decision to invest in the Pack was shaped by the people who chose to invest in me! Individuals like Toni Harris Thorpe (lovingly known as Mama Thorpe), Dr. Tracey Ray, Dr. Roger Callanan, Roxanna McGraw and countless others exemplified what it meant to truly believe in the success of our students and acknowledge that service is both a responsibility and a privilege. Those experiences then clarified how I wanted to give back. 

My work has focused on building pathways to success for all students. That includes leading and expanding TRIO and Pack Support programs, developing scholarship and emergency aid initiatives, mentoring students and emerging professionals, and advancing alumni engagement through BAS. My giving is grounded in the same lesson that all my mentors taught me: when you invest in people, you invest in our legacy. 

Q: When you think about the impact of your giving, whether through time, talent or treasure, what change do you most hope to see within our Pack?

A: I hope to see a Pack where opportunities are plentiful, allowing students, faculty, staff and the community to engage in the rewarding NC State experience without any barriers. I want students to feel empowered from the moment they arrive at NC State to well beyond graduation. I also hope to see a stronger culture of shared responsibility across the Pack. When alumni, faculty, staff and students understand their role in sustaining one another, the impact multiplies. Ultimately, the change I seek is a Pack that honors its legacy by investing boldly in people while creating pathways that allow every member of the Wolfpack to thrive.

Q: What would you say to fellow alumni or friends of the university who might be considering ways to give back?

A: I would remind them that giving back is less about the size of the contribution and more about the intention behind it. Whatever way we choose to engage with NC State, we are helping sustain the legacy that shaped us. Your support creates access, affirms belonging and opens doors for the next generation of Wolfpack students. The Pack only thrives when people choose to invest in the future and lift as they climb.