WHEREAS, graduate education encourages the discovery and creativity that are vital to the scientific, cultural, and economic development of our local, state, and global communities; and
WHEREAS, graduate education draws more than 60,000 North Carolina students, as well as students from across the nation and world, to our prestigious colleges and universities; and
WHEREAS, our twenty-first-century economy depends on the skills of a highly educated workforce, with many careers requiring an education level of a master's degree or beyond; and
WHEREAS, according to the Council of Graduate Schools, it is expected that by the end of the decade, there will be a 17 percent increase in jobs requiring a master's degree and a 13 percent increase in jobs that require a doctorate or professional degree; and
WHEREAS, graduate students contribute to higher education by mentoring undergraduate students, acting as teaching assistants, and supporting faculty research while also becoming experts in their chosen fields of study and pursuing their own discoveries that benefit our state; and
WHEREAS, a graduate education provides a level of expertise that prepares students as highly skilled professionals and leaders in a wide variety of fields; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina is proud to be home to numerous graduate programs in diverse disciplines, offering scholars a wide array of opportunities to advance their education;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim May 16 – 22, 2021, as “GRADUATE EDUCATION WEEK” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.