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

• About See more about our commitment to quality education. Our StoryLearn about our commitment to improving education.Our TeamMeet the team at The Hunt Institute.Board of DirectorsMeet our board of directors.Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. Leadership AwardLearn more about our new Leadership Award.NewsCheck out the latest from The Institute.Join Our TeamSee job listings and more about working for us.Our Supporters and PartnersLearn more about our invaluable supporters and partners.FinancialsAccess our financial reports.
• Our StoryLearn about our commitment to improving education.
• Our TeamMeet the team at The Hunt Institute.
• Board of DirectorsMeet our board of directors.
• Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. Leadership AwardLearn more about our new Leadership Award.
• NewsCheck out the latest from The Institute.
• Join Our TeamSee job listings and more about working for us.
• Our Supporters and PartnersLearn more about our invaluable supporters and partners.
• FinancialsAccess our financial reports.
• Programs See our programs for education leaders. Early Childhood EngagementRead about our early learning supports.Education GovernorsSee how we shape effective leaders for education.Hunt-Kean Leadership FellowsRead about our program, meet our Fellows, and more.Hunt-Lee Mayors Leadership FellowshipRead about our Mayors program, meet our Mayors, and more.Hunt State Policy FellowsRead about our HSPF program, meet our Fellows, and more.State Legislators RetreatsLearn about our relationships with state legislatures.Postsecondary Leaders ProgramsLearn how we develop higher education champions.K-12 LiteracyExplore our programs to improve literacy learning.John M. Belk Impact FellowshipLearn more about The Fellowship.
• Early Childhood EngagementRead about our early learning supports.
• Education GovernorsSee how we shape effective leaders for education.
• Hunt-Kean Leadership FellowsRead about our program, meet our Fellows, and more.
• Hunt-Lee Mayors Leadership FellowshipRead about our Mayors program, meet our Mayors, and more.
• Hunt State Policy FellowsRead about our HSPF program, meet our Fellows, and more.
• State Legislators RetreatsLearn about our relationships with state legislatures.
• Postsecondary Leaders ProgramsLearn how we develop higher education champions.
• K-12 LiteracyExplore our programs to improve literacy learning.
• John M. Belk Impact FellowshipLearn more about The Fellowship.
• Our Approach Find out how we unite experts from across the country. InitiativesSee how we encompass the full education continuum.ImpactFind out how we gather and empower education leaders.Our Supporters and PartnersLearn more about our invaluable supporters and partners.
• InitiativesSee how we encompass the full education continuum.
• ImpactFind out how we gather and empower education leaders.
• Resources News & resources on the education continuum. BlogRead the latest.NewsRead the latest news about The Institute.PublicationsFind and download publications.WebinarsRegister for upcoming webinars and find series recordings.Across the AisleFinding commonalities in bipartisan education priorities.Higher Education Attainment SnapshotRead more about a current snapshot of states' higher...National Child Care Finder ScaleLearn more about our newest scale on a systematic...
• BlogRead the latest.
• NewsRead the latest news about The Institute.
• PublicationsFind and download publications.
• WebinarsRegister for upcoming webinars and find series recordings.
• Across the AisleFinding commonalities in bipartisan education priorities.
• Higher Education Attainment SnapshotRead more about a current snapshot of states' higher...
• National Child Care Finder ScaleLearn more about our newest scale on a systematic...
• AboutOur StoryOur TeamBoard of DirectorsGovernor James B. Hunt, Jr. Leadership AwardNewsJoin Our TeamOur Supporters and PartnersFinancials
• Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. Leadership Award
• Our Supporters and Partners
• ProgramsEarly Childhood EngagementEducation GovernorsHunt-Kean Leadership FellowsHunt-Lee Mayors Leadership FellowshipHunt State Policy FellowsState Legislators RetreatsPostsecondary Leaders ProgramsK-12 LiteracyJohn M. Belk Impact Fellowship
• Early Childhood Engagement
• Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellows
• Hunt-Lee Mayors Leadership Fellowship
• Hunt State Policy Fellows
• State Legislators Retreats
• Postsecondary Leaders Programs
• John M. Belk Impact Fellowship
• Our ApproachInitiativesImpactOur Supporters and Partners
• ResourcesBlogNewsPublicationsWebinarsAcross the AisleHigher Education Attainment SnapshotNational Child Care Finder Scale
• Higher Education Attainment Snapshot
• National Child Care Finder Scale
• Back to All Resources

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 24, 2026 Dr. Javaid Siddiqi Javaid.Siddiqi@hunt-institute.org

20 Mayors and City Leaders from Across the Country Selected for Bipartisan Fellowship Focused on Local Education Leadership

CARY, N.C. – The Hunt Institute, a national education policy nonprofit affiliated with Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, announced today 20 mayors and city leaders selected for the second cohort of the Hunt-Lee Mayors Leadership Fellows, expanding the Institute’s proven fellowship model to equip local elected leaders with the knowledge, relationships, and tools to strengthen education and workforce pathways in their communities.

Named for renowned education governor Jim Hunt (D-NC | 1977–2985; 1993–2001) and Senator Howard Lee | Mayor of Chapel Hill (1969–1975); North Carolina Senate, District 16 (1991–1995) and (1997–2003) the national, nonpartisan Fellowship launched in the fall of 2025.

Building on the program’s inaugural cohort, the second cohort brings together bipartisan city leaders from across the country who are committed to examining how mayors can use their unique role as conveners, partners, and community leaders to support students, educators, families, and local economies.

“Education is a local issue, and mayors are uniquely positioned to create meaningful impact in their communities,” said Dr. Javaid Siddiqi, President & CEO of The Hunt Institute. “That’s why we believe so strongly in the role of local leaders in this work. I look forward to this exceptional group of mayors and city leaders and seeing the ideas, partnerships, and solutions they bring back to their cities.”

The second cohort includes mayors and city leaders representing communities across the country, bringing together perspectives from Democratic, Republican, and nonpartisan local officials. Over the course of the Fellowship program, these leaders will examine issues across the education continuum, from early childhood and K–12 education to postsecondary attainment and workforce development.

The Fellowship will be anchored by two in-person convenings, beginning October 15–16, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri, hosted by Mayor Quinton Lucas (D-MO), followed by a second convening on May 20-21, 2027, in Pensacola, Florida, hosted by Mayor D.C. Reeves (R-FL). Fellows will also participate in virtual learning sessions between convenings.

“I am honored to host the Hunt-Lee Mayors Leadership Fellows in Kansas City and to welcome local leaders from across the country to our city,” said Mayor Quinton Lucas (D- Kansas City, MO). “I’m grateful to The Hunt Institute for bringing mayors together to learn from one another and explore how cities can play a meaningful role in strengthening education and creating greater opportunities for all students and families.”

The bipartisan Hunt-Lee Mayors Leadership program will:

• Examine how mayors and city leaders can help strengthen education and economic opportunity in their communities;
• Address issues including early childhood and child care, zoning and housing policies that affect early learning access, afterschool programs, K–12 accountability and addressing achievement gaps, school choice, postsecondary attainment, workforce development, and partnerships with employers and community organizations; and
• Explore how mayors and city leaders can use their unique role as conveners to bring together schools, families, businesses, and other community partners to advance solutions in their cities.

“The work of preparing our children for success does not stop at the schoolhouse door. It takes the entire community,” said Mayor D.C. Reeves (R- Pensacola, FL). “I am thankful to join this cohort and to serve as a host city for the Hunt-Lee Mayors Leadership Fellows. I’m grateful to The Hunt Institute for recognizing the important role mayors can play in this work and for creating a space where local leaders can turn ideas into action for the children and families we serve.”

The 2026-2027 Hunt-Lee Mayors Leadership Fellows – Cohort 2

• The Honorable Danny Avula, Mayor, Richmond, Virginia (D)
• The Honorable Lacey Beaty, Mayor, Beaverton, Oregon (D)
• The Honorable Eric Dinowitz, Councilmember, New York City, New York (D)
• The Honorable Will Joyce, Mayor, Stillwater, Oklahoma (NP)
• The Honorable Sam Johnson, Councilmember, Columbia, South Carolina (D)
• The Honorable Quinton Lucas, Mayor, Kansas City, Missouri (D)
• The Honorable Steve Morris, Mayor, Concord, North Carolina (R)
• The Honorable Ronald Morell Jr., Mayor, Marion, Indiana (R)
• The Honorable Oepke “Ope” Niemeyer, Mayor, Brookings, South Dakota (NP)
• The Honorable Rachel Proctor, Mayor, DeSoto, Texas (NP)
• The Honorable D.C. Reeves, Mayor, Pensacola, Florida (R)
• The Honorable Maria Rivera, Mayor, Central Falls, Rhode Island (D)
• The Honorable Robert Simison, Mayor, Meridian, Idaho (R)
• The Honorable Derek Slaughter, Mayor, Williamsport, Pennsylvania (D)
• The Honorable James Solomon, Mayor, Jersey City, New Jersey (D)
• The Honorable Sal Solorio-Ruiz, Mayor, Delano, California (D)
• The Honorable Molly Spino, Mayor, Torrington, Connecticut (R)
• The Honorable Randall Woodfin, Mayor, Birmingham, Alabama (D)