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Established in 2001, The Hunt Institute honors the legacy of James B. Hunt, Jr., the former governor of North Carolina who distinguished himself as an ardent champion of education.
The Hunt Institute brings together people and resources to inspire and inform elected officials and policymakers about key issues in education, resulting in visionary leaders who are prepared to take strategic action for greater educational outcomes and student success.
In 2016, The Hunt Institute became an independent, nonprofit entity and joined forces with Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy to pursue research, educational partnerships, and events related to improving education policy.
Former Governor of North Carolina Jim Hunt (1977-1985, 1993-2001) served four historic terms as governor of the state. Under his leadership in the 1990s, North Carolina public schools improved test scores more than any other state according to the Rand Corporation .
While in office, Governor Hunt focused on early childhood development and improvements in quality of teaching.

Beyond Attendance: Addressing Chronic Absenteeism and Student Persistence

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Virginia Lawmakers to Tackle Education Priorities at The Hunt Institute's 12th Annual Virginia Education Summit · The Hunt Institute

The Hunt Institute Expands Local Leadership Network with Second Hunt-Lee Mayors Leadership Cohort · The Hunt Institute

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

The Hunt Institute Brings North Dakota Legislators Together for Annual Retreat on Education · The Hunt Institute

The Hunt Institute Announces Sixth Cohort of the North Carolina Hunt State Policy Fellows · The Hunt Institute

The Hunt Institute and the Virginia Department of Education to facilitate Virginia Superintendent Transition Advisory Committee

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

The Hunt Institute Names Second Cohort of the Virginia Hunt State Policy Fellows · The Hunt Institute

Bipartisan Senior Elected Officials Convene to Tackle Nation's Most Pressing Education Challenges · The Hunt Institute

The Hunt Institute Brings Illinois Legislators Together for 4th Annual Illinois Legislators Retreat · The Hunt Institute

James B. Hunt, Jr.

Rachel Rackley

What makes the John M. Belk Impact Fellowship unique? It’s more than an internship: it’s a paid, comprehensive workforce development model designed to prepare North Carolina students for high-impact careers in education and public service. Belk Fellows work 14–20 hours/week with partner organizations across NC, gaining direct experience in: ▪️ Policy brief research & analysis ▪️ Strategic communications & campaign management ▪️ Convenings, operations, & program administration If you or a student in your network is ready to turn passion for social impact into actionable professional skills, learn more and start an application today on our website. #BelkImpactFellowship #EducationalEquity #HigherEd #NorthCarolina #InternshipOpportunities

Tomorrow is Election Day. Take five minutes today to confirm where you vote, when polls open and close, and what to bring. CanIVote.org links you straight to your state’s official polling place lookup. School board members, state legislators, and in many states, state superintendents are chosen by voters. Tomorrow is your chance to weigh in and be heard.

Applications for the 2027–2028 John M. Belk Impact Fellowship are officially open!! Are you a college student in North Carolina looking to build real-world leadership skills in educational equity and the nonprofit sector? The Belk Impact Fellowship offers a 10-month paid opportunity (August–May) where you’ll gain hands-on experience, executive mentorship, and professional network connections. Apply early to get your materials in! Link to apply: https://ats.rippling.com/en-US/the-hunt-institute/jobs/783a9418-4ee8-4cf3-914b-de0fa3441b8e

Every school day counts. 📚 Chronic absenteeism remains one of the most urgent challenges facing schools today. When students miss school, they lose more than lessons. They lose connection, momentum, and opportunity. The good news: data can help us spot the warning signs early and respond before students fall behind. Join The Hunt Institute on Thursday, October 15, at 2 p.m. for a special episode of Homeroom with Education Leaders | Beyond Attendance: Addressing Chronic Absenteeism and Student Persistence. Leaders from the courtroom, the classroom, and the community will share what's actually working, including: ✅ Practical strategies for using data to uncover the root causes of absenteeism ✅ Proven approaches for identifying barriers early and directing resources where they matter most ✅ Real-world lessons on keeping students engaged, persisting, and on track Featuring: 🎙️ Dr. Carolyn Gentle-Genitty, CEO and Founder, Attendance USA Inc. 🎙️ Dr. Amy Carter, Superintendent, Meridian Public School District 🎙️ Dr. Michelle Gough, General Counsel, SchoolStatus Whether you're a policymaker, district leader, educator, or advocate, you'll leave with ideas you can put to work right away. Save your seat today through the link in our bio.

Local leadership makes all the difference in supporting students and families. The Hunt Institute is proud to welcome the second cohort of the Hunt-Lee Mayors Leadership Fellows. This program brings together municipal leaders from across the country to share what works, tackle tough challenges, and build better education policies from early childhood through higher education. When local leaders have access to national insights and a strong peer network, whole communities benefit. Check out the full press release to meet the cohort and learn more: https://hunt-institute.org/news/the-hunt-institute-expands-local-leadership-network-with-second-hunt-lee-mayors-leadership-cohort/

How can policymakers and district leaders move beyond standard attendance counts to drive real student persistence? It starts with actionable data. Join The Hunt Institute on Wednesday, September 30, at 2:00 PM ET for "Beyond Attendance: Addressing Chronic Absenteeism and Student Persistence." We'll break down how to leverage data to better understand chronic absenteeism trends, identify structural barriers to consistent student participation, and allocate resources directly where they can make the biggest impact. Save your spot today through the link in our bio.

Join The Hunt Institute for our upcoming Homeroom with Education Leaders webinar: Beyond Attendance: Addressing Chronic Absenteeism and Student Persistence. In this discussion, policymakers and education leaders will explore how attendance data can help unpack the root causes of chronic absenteeism, uncover barriers to consistent student participation, and support students where they need it most. Date: Wednesday, September 30th | 2:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM CT / 11:00 AM PT Featured Panelists: ✔️ Moderator: Dr. Michelle Gough, General Counsel at SchoolStatus ✔️ Dr. Amy Carter, Superintendent of Meridian Public School District ✔️ Dr. Carolyn Gentle-Genitty, CEO & Founder of Attendance USA Inc. Save your spot today through the link in our bio.

Tomorrow, join The Hunt Institute at 2:00 PM ET for Postsecondary Pathways: Aligning Education, Correctional Rehabilitation, and Workforce Readiness. Participating in correctional education reduces an individual's odds of returning to prison by 43%, and recidivism drops even more dramatically as individuals attain higher levels of education. For these programs to succeed, they must align with real-world job openings and high-demand industries. In this nonpartisan session, our panel will explore: ✔️ How data-driven prison education fills critical workforce gaps and saves taxpayers millions ✔️ How upcoming state election outcomes and legislative control influence future education policy agendas Featured Panelists: ✔️ Maureen Hergenroether, Executive Vice President of Education, Employment, & Housing | Concordance ✔️ Sarah Kuczynsky, Director | NE Prison Collaboration ✔️ Dr. Stanley Andrisse, Associate Professor | Howard university College of Medicene ✔️ The Honorable Melissa Garff Ballard | Utah House of Representatives, District 20 Secure your spot today! Register now through the link in our bio.

How do state election outcomes translate into real-world education policy? Beyond campaign rhetoric, legislative decisions directly dictate funding for teacher pipelines, career readiness, and correctional education programs. Mark your calendar for September 24th, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET as our nonpartisan panel explores data-driven approaches to workforce development and policy reform. Featured speakers include Maureen Hergenroether of Concordance, Sarah Kuczynski of the New England Prison Education Collaborative, Dr. Stanley Andrisse from the Howard University College of Medicine, and Rep. Melissa Garff Ballard from Utah, District 20. Register now to be a part of the conversation: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/5817804963711/WN_O1jx3GB_RbOk1OjPNozcCA

Early literacy isn't just an educational benchmark; it's a critical, long-term investment. Building the future starts early. According to the 2026 Across The Aisle survey, 92% of parents and voters view addressing students not reading at grade level as an urgent mandate. Meanwhile, 81% backed expanded access to quality Pre-K. Read more on #ATA26 here through the link in our bio.

Rounding out our Cohort 7 introductions! To wrap up our series, we're proud to introduce the final group of the John M. Belk Impact Fellows stepping into host placements across North Carolina. Head to the link in our bio to read their full bios and learn what fuels their commitment to public service! Join us in welcoming the full Cohort 7!

Twenty-five years ago, the world stood still. Today we pause to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and we honor the courage of the first responders, the everyday heroes, and the communities who carried one another through that day. We hold their memory with immense gratitude and remembrance. #NeverForget #September11

Today, on the birthday of Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. we remember and proudly honor him through a celebration of 25 years of The Hunt Institute. Join us for 25 Years of Leadership. 25 Weeks of Impact. Founded by Governor Hunt and grounded in his belief that education is the foundation of opportunity, The Hunt Institute has spent the past quarter century creating bipartisan convening that bring together governors, lawmakers, educators, and leaders from across the country to advance policies that help students succeed. Over the next 25 weeks, we’ll share 25 stories that reflect the people, partnerships, programs, and moments that have shaped our journey and lifting up the impact made possible through a shared commitment to public education. As we honor this milestone, we also celebrate the legacy of Governor Hunt’s leadership and vision for a stronger future for all students. #TheHuntInstitute25 #25YearsOfImpact #EducationLeadership

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