The Caldwell Fellows

Celebrating Our Graduates: Emma Norris

Emma embraced every opportunity to grow through her time in the Caldwell Fellows Program, using the support of the community to explore her passions and challenge herself in meaningful ways. During her time at NC State, she published research, presented at conferences, studied abroad in Prague, led an Alternative Service Break in Guatemala, and completed a long-term internship at the Open Door Clinic. Through these experiences, Emma discovered that leadership is rooted in a willingness to serve and learn each day. She is excited to continue her education at Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine as she pursues her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. Before beginning medical school this summer, she is walking Camino Portugués. We are excited to see the impact she will make in the years ahead!

Celebrating Our Graduates: Josue Avalos Jimenez

Through the Caldwell Fellows Program, Josue found a community that continued to support him even from a distance. The program encouraged him to embrace who he is and gave him confidence in his ability to pursue the life and career he wants for himself. That confidence carried into his work with Nintendo, where he brought creativity and thoughtful design to user research, prototyping, accessibility improvements, and custom web experiences for Nintendo.com. His work supported high-traffic digital experiences while helping strengthen consistency across web properties through scalable design system components. This summer, he is on the Camino Portugués with his peers in the Caldwell Fellows. We are excited to see where his work in design and technology takes him next!

Much love to our Spring 2026 graduates! We are proud of you and excited to learn all about your next chapter as it unfolds.

Celebrating Our Graduates: Susannah Weaver

Susannah brought warmth, humor, and deep care for community to every part of her Caldwell experience. Whether hosting classmates at her family home in Greensboro, carrying a couch across campus on a Friday night, or showing up fully herself with a bubble gun and razor scooter in hand, she helped create the kind of belonging that defines the Caldwell community. Through the program, she found lifelong friendships and the confidence to challenge herself, embrace difficult conversations, and pursue experiences that stretched her perspective. Her journey from here will include work as an instructor with Voyageur Outward Bound School, environmental education at the BHI Conservancy, volunteering with the Peace Corps in Nepal, and thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. We cannot wait to see where her adventurous spirit leads her next!

Olivia Townsend (Class of ‘26) has built her journey on reflection, meaningful relationships, and a commitment to serving others with intention. She looks ahead to a future in academia grounded in authenticity and a desire to ensure people feel seen and heard.

Read the Class of ‘26 Reflection on Olivia here: https://caldwellfellows.ncsu.edu/class-of-26-reflection-olivia-townsend/

Doug Schwartz, Class of 1986

We love celebrating the accomplishments of our Caldwell Fellows alumni!

Doug, one of just six Caldwell Scholars in 1986, graduated magna cm laude in Chemical Engineering before earning his MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.

Today, he serves as President of the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill division of KB Home — continuing to make his mark through leadership and impact in his field.

Celebrating Our Graduates: Makayla Richardson

Makayla played a key role in planning and emceeing the Caldwell Fellows Parents and Families Breakfast and helped organize the Senior Retreat, showing a real commitment to the community around her. Through the Caldwell Fellows Program, she developed a strong sense of her leadership values and leaned into servant leadership in a meaningful way. That growth showed up across her college experience through studying abroad, leading as a college ambassador, and serving as president of her sorority chapter. She is heading into tech sales as a Business Development Representative and plans to pursue an MBA soon after. We are excited to see what she achieves next!

Through outdoor expeditions and principled reflection, Simon McNair (Class of ‘26) works hard to be the best servant leader he can be. He faces challenges head on and hopes to use everything he’s learned to foster authenticity and community as he moves forward.

Read the Class of ‘26 Reflection on Simon here: https://caldwellfellows.ncsu.edu/class-of-26-reflection-simon-mcnair/