Nafeesha Irby ’08, Jeremicus Porter ’03 and Michael T. Silver ’01 ’03 are members of the 2016 class of young professionals who were honored using a superhero theme. According to the publication, the theme was adopted “because they are super-dedicated to their organizations, industries and communities.”

“We are so proud of the accomplishments of our alumni and the impact they are making not only in the Triad, but throughout the world,” said Rosetta Clay, N.C. A&T’s associate vice chancellor for Alumni Relations. “We are especially proud of our young alumni who are the change agents we need to see influencing the future.”

Silver is the deputy commissioner of the North Carolina Industrial Commission where he acts as the commission’s trial-level judge in contested workers’ compensation cases, state tort claims and other matters.

For most, elementary school teacher to attorney is quite a leap. For Silver, it is a testament to the education he received at N.C. A&T.

“A&T gave me an educational foundation that prepared me for graduate school and the social skills to be a leader in the various organizations I serve,” he said.

According to the publication, Silver was selected for his service with the North Carolina Domestic Violence Commission, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the RiverRun International Film Festival.

Porter is the executive director of the Office of New Student Programs at A&T where he provides leadership for undergraduate new student orientation along with transitional, family and student leader programs.

For Porter, the work he does for the university is his passion and that goes back to the original reason he chose A&T for his education.

“I believe in A&T, its mission and the quality of education and services offered to students, faculty, staff and alumni,” he said. “It is humbling to have an opportunity to return to my alma mater to work in a capacity which allows me to add value to the students’ success and give back.”

It was through his systematic overhaul of the program that the university has earned two national awards and the freshman leadership academy was created. Porter was also cited for his service with the Greater Greensboro Crop Walk and the Foothills Alliance.

Irby is the executive director for the North Carolina Piedmont Triad corps of Teach for America where she manages daily regional operations that help to build a pipeline of local leaders in education while building partnerships between schools, parents and their respective communities as well as cultivating public, private and foundation support. She also oversees 25 teachers who work in high-need schools across Guilford County.

While she doesn’t have any clear-cut professional aspirations, Irby is certain she will remain in the education field and continue working for social justice; and she has A&T to thank for that.

“Through the investment of university leadership in developing me as a socially and culturally conscious leader and teaching me what it means to serve and lead sacrificially, my A&T experience helped to set the foundation in who I would one day define myself to be as a leader and contributor to society,” she said.

The publication cites her fund-raising of more than $1.7 million and work that doubled the size of the regional teacher corps as well as her service as a guardian ad litem and board member of SciWorks Museum as reasons she was named to the list.

In addition to the ceremony, the honorees’ answers to the themed questions were featured throughout the Feb. 19, edition of the publication. Their answers included some details on the trials, triumphs and mentors who have helped make them the leaders they have become.

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