The John M. Belk Endowment and The Hunt Institute Announce the Seventh Cohort of John M. Belk Impact Fellows

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 24, 2026
Contact: Dr. Javaid Siddiqi
Javaid.Siddiqi@hunt-institute.org | (984) 377-5200

Competitive Internship Program Provides College Students with Hands-On Experience to Drive Social Impact

Cary, N.C. – The John M. Belk Endowment and The Hunt Institute are pleased to announce the launch of the 2026 – 2027 John M. Belk Impact Fellows. The John M. Belk Impact Fellowship is a rigorous professional development program that provides a 10-month paid Fellowship for qualified students. The Fellowship provides hands-on experience for students currently enrolled in a community college, undergraduate, or graduate program in North Carolina and who demonstrate alignment with the mission of the John M. Belk Endowment, an interest in educational equity, and a commitment to serving others.

Selected from a diverse, statewide pool of candidates representing one of the highest application volumes since the launch of the Fellowship in 2020, 16 Fellows were selected and placed at organizations across North Carolina that are at the forefront of education policy, college access, completion, and workforce development. Fellows will be placed at the following host sites:

• John M. Belk Endowment
• The Hunt Institute
• North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities
• North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
• EducationNC
• LatinxEd
• NCEast Alliance
• Office of Governor Josh Stein
• Cato College of Education Dept. of Educational Leadership
• University of North Carolina System Office
• United Way of the Greater Triangle
• Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research
• Carolina Demography
• myFutureNC

“Every cohort of Impact Fellows reminds us why this work matters,” shared MC Belk Pilon, President and Board Chair of the John M. Belk Endowment. “These sixteen students bring energy, curiosity, and a genuine commitment to their communities, and they’re stepping into organizations doing some of the most important education work in North Carolina. We’re proud to give them a place to grow as leaders.”

As part of the Fellowship experience, Impact Fellows will be introduced to a diverse range of nonprofit functions, including finance and operations, policy and research, philanthropy and grantmaking, communications and marketing, and program management. Fellows will also engage with education leaders and participate in professional development workshops designed and led by The Hunt Institute.

Drawn from communities across North Carolina and enrolled at both public and private postsecondary institutions, the seventh cohort of Fellows is united by a commitment to equity, education, and social justice. With support from The John M. Belk Endowment and The Hunt Institute, these emerging leaders will continue to develop the knowledge and skills needed to make a lasting impact on North Carolina’s children and families.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with The John M. Belk Endowment to support the future workforce through these sixteen Impact Fellows,” said Dr. Javaid Siddiqi, President & CEO of The Hunt Institute. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for North Carolina students to get hands-on professional work experience with organizations that are doing incredible work across our home state. I look forward to seeing what this new cohort will accomplish over the next 10 months.”

The 2027–2028 cohort of the John M. Belk Impact Fellowship includes:

• Aarushi Mandal, UNC Charlotte, Political Science
• Adrianna Fields, UNC Greensboro, Educational Studies
• Alexis Ashley, Duke University, Public Policy; Minors: English, Theater Studies
• Allegra DaPuzzo, UNC Chapel Hill, Political Science, Advertisement/Public Relations, Minor in Spanish for Business
• Bria Maddox, Duke University, Public Policy, Cultural Anthropology, Child and Family Policy
• Citlalli Braulio-Madrid, North Carolina State University, Applied Education Studies: Learning Design and Technology, Minor in Teaching English as a Foreign Language
• Daniel Walker, East Carolina University, Public Administration, Political Science
• Derrian Wilson, UNC Chapel Hill, Political Science and Sociology
• Elissa Campos, North Carolina State University, Political Science, Concentration of Law and Justice/ Minor: Criminology and Business Administration
• Eve Surratt, Duke University, Sociology and Public Policy, Minor: Psychology
• Kathryn Shumaker, North Carolina State University, Higher Education Administration
• Nyasia Lloyd, North Carolina State University, Educational Leadership, Policy & Human Development
• Rachel Rackley, Duke University, Public Policy; Minor: Statistical Science
• Raven Sizemore, UNC Greensboro, Public Affairs with a concentration in Nonprofit Management and a PBC in Addiction Treatment
• Sydney Barnes, UNC Chapel Hill, Political Science & Global Studies, Minor in Hispanic Studies
• Trypetus Gibson, North Carolina Central University, Political Science

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 The John M. Belk Endowment
Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, the John M. Belk Endowment is a private family foundation committed to transforming postsecondary educational opportunities to meet North Carolina’s evolving workforce needs. Its mission is aligned with the vision of its founder, the late John M. Belk who served four terms as mayor of Charlotte and was CEO of the department store company Belk, Inc. He created the John M. Belk Endowment in 1995 to fund a national merit scholarship program for his beloved alma mater, Davidson College. Now led by Mr. Belk’s daughter, MC Belk Pilon, the John M. Belk Endowment staff and board continue to partner with innovative, results-oriented programs in North Carolina to further Mr. Belk’s values, legacy, and focus on the value of education as a means to personal fulfillment and community vitality. For more information, please visit jmbe.org.