Hunt-Lee Mayors Leadership Fellows

The Hunt Institute believes mayors hold a unique position of influence in shaping education policy. Mayors serve on the front lines of their communities, uniquely positioned to align education priorities with local needs and opportunities.

The Hunt-Lee Mayors Leadership Fellows program equips mayors with the insights, tools, and networks necessary to build stronger educational systems that prepare students for lifelong success.

The Fellowship includes two in-person convenings hosted in cities across the U.S., featuring interactive sessions, expert panels, and peer exchange. Fellows take part in policy discussions focused on the most urgent challenges in education and leave with practical tools to advance local solutions.

Prototypes:

Both Governor Jim Hunt and Senator Howard Lee are uniquely deserving of recognition for their lifelong commitment to public service and education.  

As North Carolina’s longest serving governor, Governor Jim Hunt, advanced one of the most ambitious and sustained education agendas in the country—elevating early childhood, strengthening the teaching profession, and aligning education with long-term economic growth. He also created and launched Smart Start, a groundbreaking early childhood initiative that transformed how North Carolina supports young children and families. The program received the prestigious Innovations in American Government Award from the Ford Foundation and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, underscoring its national significance and impact.  

Senator Howard Lee’s career is defined by both historic firsts and enduring impact. As the first African American mayor of Chapel Hill—and the first mayor elected to lead any majority-white city in the South—he broke barriers while building trust across communities. He later served as a state senator, Chairman of the State Board of Education, and senior education advisor to two governors, including Governor Hunt. In each role, he championed education as a pathway to opportunity and a foundation for stronger, more equitable communities.  

Whether advancing early childhood initiatives, strengthening educator pipelines, guiding state education policy, or connecting education to broader economic progress, Governor Hunt and Senator Lee shared a clear vision for the role of education in shaping strong communities. Their partnership and friendship reflect what it means to lead with purpose, build consensus, and leave a lasting imprint on public policy. Together, they define a legacy of leadership that continues to shape the future of education in America.