The Hunt Institute Announces Inaugural Cohort of the Virginia Hunt State Policy Fellows

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Contact: Jonathan Ortiz

jortiz@hunt-institute.org | (984) 256-8548

CARY, N.C. – The Hunt Institute is proud to announce the inaugural cohort of Virginia Hunt State Policy Fellows, a groundbreaking program designed to convene a bipartisan group of emerging education policymakers, local elected officials, and community leaders in Virginia. Building on our success in North Carolina, we’re excited to expand to Virginia, equipping participants with the expertise and resources to shape informed education policy.  

By fostering collaboration and providing tailored guidance, the program aims to strengthen the capacity of Virginia’s policymakers to drive meaningful change in education, ensuring the success of all students and the future of the Commonwealth’s educational landscape. The group includes county supervisors, school board members, mayors, city council members, and community leaders. 

“This program gives local policymakers and community leaders a deep and hands-on look at the key challenges and opportunities in education,” said Dr. Javaid Siddiqi, CEO & President of The Hunt Institute. “I’m excited to work with our new Virginia cohort and support their passion for creating strong, forward-thinking education policies.” From April to August, Fellows will gather for three sessions, each dedicated to a different sector of the education continuum—early childhood, K-12, and higher education. These meetings will provide Fellows with the opportunity to learn, engage in meaningful discussions, and forge connections with one another and with resource experts from across the Commonwealth. Through these sessions, Fellows will enhance their ability to advocate for Virginia’s students and strengthen their role as education leaders. 

“Each group of Hunt State Policy Fellows brings together a passionate team of local leaders who are ready to dive into the challenges of education policy,” Laura Novey, Hunt Institute Board Member, former Virginia Secretary of Education, and current Senior Vice President at McGuireWoods Consulting. “I am confident this program will make a lasting impact on their future and can’t wait to see how it shapes their future endeavors. This effort supports The Hunt Institute’s mission to work with top state officials across the country while helping develop leaders focused on improving education.” 

The 2025 Virginia Hunt State Policy Fellows cohort is: 

• Meagan H. Abbey, Mayor, Town of McKenney   

• Canek Aguirre, Council Member, City of Alexandria  

• Dr. Drew Allmond, Project Director, Virginia Tribal Education Consortium  

• Michael Berlucchi, Council Member, City of Virginia Beach  

• Denise Cave, Council Member, Town of Shenandoah  

• Debbie Donehey, Chair, Rappahannock County Board of Supervisors  

• Jake Holmes, Vice Mayor, City of Bristol  

• Lisa Hudgins, Vice Chair, Chesterfield County Public Schools  

• Andres Jimenez, Supervisor, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors  

• Alfred L. Jones III, Vice Chair, Appomattox County Board of Supervisors  

• Ruth Larson, Supervisor, James City County Board of Supervisors  

• Lisa Larson-Torres, Board Member, Charlottesville City Schools  

• Dr. Babur B. Lateef, Chair, Prince William County Public Schools  

• Judy Le, Board Member, Albemarle County Public Schools  

• Jenny Nichols, Board Member, Washington County Public Schools  

• Deanna Reed, Mayor, City of Harrisonburg  

• Dr. Phyllis Tolliver, Vice Chair, Sussex County Board of Supervisors 

• Sonia Vásquez Luna, Council Member, City of Manassas 

• Jenny Wilson, Board Member, Botetourt County Public Schools 

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/  

Media Contact
Jonathan Ortiz
Deputy Director, Communications 
jortiz@hunt-institute.org
(984) 256-8548