18 South Carolina Leaders Join Inaugural Education Policy Fellowship

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 1, 2025

Contact: Jonathan Ortiz

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

Mayors, council members, and school board trustees from across the state will focus on strengthening education from early childhood through workforce readiness 

CARY, N.C. – Eighteen local elected leaders from across South Carolina—including five mayors, county and city council members, and school board trustees—have been selected for the inaugural South Carolina Hunt State Policy Fellows program, a bipartisan initiative designed to strengthen education policy from early childhood through workforce development. 

The program, launching this month, brings Hunt Institute’s proven fellowship model to The Palmetto State after proven success in North Carolina and Virginia. Fellows will examine South Carolina’s education system, connect with experts and practitioners, and develop strategies to improve educational outcomes in their communities. 

“We’re focused on giving leaders practical strategies that strengthen education and support families across South Carolina,” said Dr. Javaid Siddiqi, President & CEO of The Hunt Institute. “ This cohort brings together leaders who are positioned to drive meaningful change in their communities.” 

 From October 2025 through February 2026, Fellows will participate in three convenings focused on early childhood, K-12 education, and postsecondary and workforce development. Sessions will feature briefings, panel discussions, and collaborative work with South Carolina education experts and practitioners. 

Senator Sean M. Bennett, District 38 and Cohort 11 Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellow, said: “Having participated in the Hunt-Kean Fellowship, I understand the value these programs bring. This new Hunt Institute initiative will empower local leaders across our state to tackle key education challenges. It aligns perfectly with the Institute’s mission to develop dedicated champions for education improvement and will have a lasting impact on both fellows and their communities.” 

The 2025 South Carolina Hunt State Policy Fellows cohort includes: 

Mayors: 

• Billy Chavis, Town of Holly Hill 

• Lyman Dawkins III, City of Gaffney 

• GP McLeer, City of Fountain Inn 

• Elise Partin, City of Cayce 

• Miko Pickett, City of Mullins 

County and City Council Members: 

• Chris Bowers, Pickens County Council 

• Dr. Aditi Bussells, City of Columbia 

• Eddie Crosby, Dorchester County Council 

• Dennis DiSabato, Vice Chairman, Horry County Council 

• Ron Felder, Aiken County Council 

• Chaquez T. McCall, City of Florence 

• Sarai Melendez, City of Walhalla 

• Meghan Smith, City of Spartanburg 

• Dan Wood, Town of Bluffton 

School Board Trustees: 

• Wendy Burgess, Anderson County School District 1 

• Michelle Goodwin-Calwile, Greenville County School District 

• Liz Morris, Aiken County School District 

• Rebecca Rundlett, Kershaw County School District 

Representative Shannon S. Erickson, District 124, and Cohort 10 Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellow, said: “As a legislator, I know the work ahead to support students and our workforce—from our youngest learners to future generations. I’m glad the Hunt Institute is bringing together local leaders in South Carolina—this program will uplift local success stories and equip leaders to drive meaningful change across our state.”  

The Hunt Institute has successfully convened five cohorts in North Carolina and one in Virginia, building a network of more than 100 local and state leaders committed to strengthening education policy. The South Carolina cohort extends this work to support leaders across the Southeast. 

About The Hunt Institute 

The Hunt Institute, an affiliate of Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, is a leader in transforming 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/