State Legislators, Local Elected Leaders Join Seventh Cohort of The Hunt Institute’s North Carolina Higher Education Leadership Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2026
Dr. Javaid Siddiqi
Javaid.Siddiqi@hunt-institute.org

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

Cary, NC — The Hunt Institute has selected an influential new cohort of 26 cross-sector leaders for ElevateNC: Higher Education, a postsecondary leadership program designed to build state and regional leadership capacity and to provide a forum for the development of statewide and community-specific strategies that increase postsecondary attainment.

The cohort includes legislators, local elected officials, higher education leaders, and community partners who will work together to drive North Carolina toward its goal of having two million residents earn postsecondary credentials by 2030.

“Closing North Carolina’s education and credential attainment gaps requires strong alignment at both the state and local levels,” said Cecilia Holden, President & CEO of myFutureNC. “Through ElevateNC, community leaders are using actionable data and collaborative strategies to remove barriers to economic mobility and strengthen pathways to opportunity. We are proud to continue our partnership with The Hunt Institute for Cohort 7 and support local coalition as they build sustainable education-to-workforce pipelines that connect more North Carolinians to high-demand, family-supporting careers.”

The program, which launched in 2020, was 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.

Beginning in September 2026, 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.

Program Schedule:

Meeting 1 (Asheville): North Carolina’s Higher Education Landscape — September 2026

Meeting 2 (Raleigh): Access and Success in Postsecondary Education — January 2027

Meeting 3 (Charlotte): Ensuring Postsecondary Completion and Attainment — March 2027

“When ElevateNC was first developed, our goal was simple: bring local and state leaders together to tackle our most pressing attainment challenges,” said Dr. Javaid Siddiqi, President & CEO of The Hunt Institute. “By hosting the first session with this new cohort in Western North Carolina, we are taking a direct look at how higher education and workforce development can drive regional recovery and long-term success, especially as communities continue to navigate the lingering impacts of Hurricane Helene.”

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.

Cohort Members:

Masonne Sawyer – Vice President of Holistic Success Services, Forsyth Technical Community College 

Jennifer Rolls – Founder & Coach, Your Next Move Coaching, LLC 

The Honorable Joshua Harris – City Councilmember, District 1, City of Whiteville 

Leah Carper – Director of Stakeholder Engagement, Guilford County Schools 

Laura Parnell – Interim Project Manager, The Industrial Commons 

David Francis – President & CEO; Interim Project Manager, Haywood County Chamber of Commerce 

Dr. Allie Apperson Croley – Dean of Health Sciences; Interim Project Manager, Sampson Community College 

Cameron Cochran – Executive Director; Interim Project Manager, Wilson Forward 

Dr. Erica Caracoglia – Vice President of Strategic Initiatives; Interim Project Manager, Martin Community College 

Brandi Orbin – Director of Development, myFutureNC 

The Honorable Brian Turner – Representative, District 116, North Carolina General Assembly 

Andrea Freile – Executive Director, LatinxEd 

Dr. Dale McInnis – Board Member, NC Community College System 

Gabby McCutchen – Provost, Arts & Sciences and Scott Northern Wake Campus, Wake Technical Community College 

Gloria Medina – Director, Advise NC at Appalachian State University 

The Honorable Woodson Bradley – Senator, District 42, North Carolina General Assembly 

Dr. Blake Wiggs – Director of Strategic Initiatives, The Innovation Project 

Kirk deViere – Chairman / Commissioner, Cumberland County Board of Commissioners 

Sherry Carpenter – Chief Organizational Development and Mission Advancement Officer, Goodwill Industries of Northwest NC 

The Honorable Denise Adams – Mayor Pro Tempore, City of Winston-Salem 

Alyn Goodson – Executive Vice Chancellor, North Carolina Central University 

Dr. Joel Welch – President, Western Piedmont Community College 

Jasmine Coleman – Director of Academic and Military Outreach, UNC Pembroke 

The Honorable Heather Rhyne – Representative, District 97, North Carolina General Assembly 

Greg Richardson – Executive Director, North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs 

Shana Harrison – Director of Workforce Development, The Industrial Commons 

Patti B. Harris, M.Ed. – Senior Director for Student Access Initiatives, UNC System Office

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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: 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 pathways, 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.