Maddi Hilton '26

The Watson College of Education has named Maddi Hilton ’26 a recipient of a spring 2026 Hattie M. Strong Scholarship. She will graduate in May with a degree in special education, general concentration, and a minor in applied behavior analysis.

Hilton said her own challenges as a student inspired her to pursue teaching.

“I was a struggling reader throughout my childhood and was diagnosed with dyslexia in fifth grade,” she said. “That experience brought many challenges, but it ultimately shaped my purpose: to support students facing similar obstacles and help them see their own potential.”

She chose UNCW’s Watson College of Education for its strong internship opportunities and extensive time in diverse school settings.

“These field experiences have been the most impactful part of my education, allowing me to learn directly from experienced special education teachers in the community,” she said. “My internship this semester at Cape Fear Center for Inquiry has been an incredibly meaningful opportunity.”

Hilton said teaching reading each day and seeing students’ growth has reaffirmed her passion for the field, and the scholarship has been especially helpful during her final internship semester.

“The Hattie M. Strong scholarship has allowed me to reduce my work hours and focus more intentionally on my internship experience,” she said. “The financial support has lessened my stress and enabled me to be fully present for my students.”

After graduation, Hilton plans to return to her hometown of Baltimore and hopes to teach in a reading resource classroom where she can continue to support students and make a meaningful difference in their lives.

About the Hattie M. Strong Scholarship Awards

The Hattie M. Strong Foundation has helped aspiring students achieve a college degree since 1928. Today, HMSF’s primary activity is to provide scholarships for students enrolled in teacher training programs at partnering institutions to help ease financial pressures during the full-time student teaching semester.

The Watson College of Education became a HMSF partner in 2013, joining a select group of institutions across the country. Through the partnership, WCE awarded four $5,000 scholarships to teacher interns for the Spring 2026 semester.