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

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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