State Legislators, Mayors Join Sixth Cohort of North Carolina Higher Education Leadership Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 29, 2025

Contact: Jonathan Ortiz

jortiz@hunt-institute.org | (914) 275-2509

State Legislators, Mayors Join Sixth Cohort of North Carolina Higher Education Leadership Program  

ElevateNC brings together 22 cross-sector leaders as state nears 2030 postsecondary attainment goal.

Cary, NC – The Hunt Institute has selected 22 influential leaders for the sixth cohort of ElevateNC: Higher Education, including three state senators, two mayors, and college presidents who will work together to drive North Carolina toward its goal of having two million residents earn postsecondary credentials by 2030. 

 The diverse cohort brings together policymakers, educators, and business leaders from across sectors to develop strategies that expand higher education access and align workforce training with economic needs. 

“The progress North Carolina has made in narrowing the state’s attainment gap shows what’s possible when leaders from every sector come together with urgency and focus,” said Cecilia Holden, President & CEO of myFutureNC. “ElevateNC is working to equip critical stakeholders with the tools, data, and networks to drive positive change in their local communities. With its sixth cohort, The Hunt Institute is building on that momentum to ensure more North Carolinians are skilled to meet employer’s needs and prepared for family-sustaining careers to keep our state’s economy strong well into the future.” 

The program, developed in partnership with myFutureNC, addresses a critical challenge: while North Carolina has made significant progress toward its 2030 attainment goal, employers across the state report difficulty finding skilled workers for family-sustaining careers. 

Among the many notable participants of the sixth cohort, The Hunt Insitute welcomes:  

• State Senators Steve Jarvis (30th District), Dana Caudill Jones (31st District), and Caleb Theodros (41st District) 

• Rep. Jordan Lopez (112th District) 

• Mayors Cyril Jefferson (High Point) and Byron McAllister (Selma) 

• County Commissioner Amanda Edwards, Chair of Buncombe County 

• College Presidents Dr. James Brewer (Mitchell Community College) and Jenny Varner (Davidson Davie Community College) 

• Holly Jones, Director of the Governor’s Western North Carolina Office 

The group also includes workforce development directors, education advocates, the 2024 North Carolina Principal of the Year, and business leaders from organizations ranging from the Latin Americans Working for Achievement to the Charlotte Executive Leadership Council. For the full list of cohort members, please visit The Hunt Institute’s website here.  

Beginning in October, participants will engage in three intensive sessions over six months, connecting with leading practitioners, students, elected officials, and policy experts. Each session provides practical strategies for implementing solutions in participants’ home communities. 

“When ElevateNC was first developed in partnership with myFutureNC, North Carolina was projected to fall short of its attainment goal by 400,000 individuals,” said Dr. Javaid Siddiqi, President & CEO of The Hunt Institute. “Because of the hard work of our education partners, policy leaders at every level, and collaborative programs such as ElevateNC, that gap has closed to just 55,000. This progress highlights the importance of building partnerships that strengthen capacity and drive attainment statewide.”

The sessions will focus on North Carolina’s higher education landscape, access and success in postsecondary education, and ensuring completion and attainment across the state’s diverse communities. 

Program Schedule: 

• October 6-7, 2025: Winston-Salem – North Carolina’s Higher Education Landscape 

• December 1-2, 2025: Chapel Hill – Access and Success in Postsecondary Education 

• March 2-3, 2026: Raleigh – Ensuring Postsecondary Completion and Attainment 

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About The Hunt Institute 

The Hunt Institute, an affiliate of the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy, is a recognized leader in the movement to transform public education. Marshaling expertise from a nationwide partner network since its establishment in 2001, The Institute brings together people and resources that help build and nurture visionary leadership and mobilize strategic action for greater educational outcomes and student success. For more information, please visit: http://www.hunt-institute.org/ 

About myFutureNC 

myFutureNC is a statewide nonprofit focused on educational attainment that includes some of North Carolina’s most influential education, business, and civic leaders. The organization was formed with the goal of creating a stronger, more competitive North Carolina. myFutureNC is working across sectors and in communities throughout the state to close gaps in the education pathway, to promote alignment between educational programming and business/industry needs, and to ultimately improve educational opportunities for all North Carolinians. Join our efforts, stay in touch, and help champion success for our state and all of its people. Visit www.myfuturenc.org.