Notable Alumni of North Carolina A & T State University

Jesse Jackson 1941–2026

Civil rights leader and Baptist minister

Bachelor of Science

Also attended: Chicago Theological Seminary, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Child: Jesse Jackson Jr. (Chicago Theological Seminary, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

Child: Jonathan Jackson (Northwestern University, North Carolina A&T State University)

Jesse Jackson Jr. 1965–

Former US Congressman from Illinois

Bachelor of Science · Class of 1987

Also attended: Chicago Theological Seminary, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Spouse: Sandi Jackson (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Bowling Green State University-Main Campus)

Father: Jesse Jackson (Chicago Theological Seminary, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

Alma Adams 1946–

US Representative from North Carolina

Master of Science, Bachelor of Science · Class of 1972

Also attended: Ohio State University-Main Campus

Michael S. Regan 1976–

Former EPA Administrator, 2021 to 2024

Bachelor of Science · Environmental science · Class of 1998

Also attended: George Washington University

Mark Robinson 1968–

Former lieutenant governor of North Carolina

Also attended: University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Edolphus Towns 1934–

US Representative from 1983 to 2013

Bachelor of Science · Class of 1956

Also attended: Adelphi University

Jonathan Jackson 1966–

US representative from Illinois

Bachelor of Science · Class of 1988

Also attended: Northwestern University

Father: Jesse Jackson (Chicago Theological Seminary, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

Sibling: Jesse Jackson Jr. (Chicago Theological Seminary, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

Clara Leach Adams-Ender 1939–

Former Chief of the US Army Nurse Corps

Also attended: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Janeen Uzzell

CEO of the National Society of Black Engineers

Also attended: Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus

Ronald McNair 1950–1986

NASA astronaut who died in the Challenger disaster

Bachelor of Science · Engineering physics · Class of 1971

Also attended: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, North Carolina State University at Raleigh, Morris College

Lynnae C. Quick 1983–

Planetary geophysicist and Ocean Worlds scientist

Also attended: Catholic University of America, Johns Hopkins University

Louise Nixon Sutton 1925–2006

Mathematician, first Black woman with NYU math education PhD

Also attended: New York University

Taraji P. Henson 1970–

Actress and producer, Golden Globe winner

Also attended: Howard University

Terrence J 1982–

Actor and host of BET's 106 & Park

Bob Beamon 1946–

Track athlete, 1968 Olympic long jump world record

Also attended: Adelphi University, University of Texas--El Paso

J. R. Smith 1985–

Former NBA basketball player

Sibling: Chris Smith (Manhattan University)

Trevor Stewart 1997–

Sprinter, Olympic 4x400m relay gold medalist

Percy Watson 1981–

Retired WWE wrestler and commentator

Also attended: Western Carolina University

Randolph Ross 2001–

400 metres sprinter

Father: Duane Ross (Clemson University)

Joe Binion 1961–

Former NBA player from North Carolina A&T

Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha 2001–

Nigerian sprinter

Also attended: Allen County Community College

Raheem Hayles 2001–

Jamaican sprinter

Also attended: University of Florida

Elvin Bethea 1946–

Pro Football Hall of Famer, Houston Oilers defensive end

Ryan Wesley Routh 1966–

Attempted assassin of Donald Trump in 2024

Attended until 1995

Also attended: University of North Carolina at Greensboro