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Institute for Emerging Issues
Hunt Library on Centennial Campus

The Institute for Emerging Issues

Connecting North Carolina to ideas and North Carolinians to each other.

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“Weathering Financial Storms: A Resilient Future for North Carolina Families”
2024 Emerging Issues Forum
February 13, 2024
Raleigh, NC

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IEI News

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Expanding Digital Access in Western NC

In episode 18 of The Connector Podcast, IEI Digital Inclusion Initiative Leader Samantha Graham is joined by High Country Council of Governments GIS Analyst and Planner Tatiana Magee, and Avery-Mitchell-Yancey Regional Library Regional Director Amber Briggs to discuss how they got involved in digital inclusion planning, the biggest successes and challenges they’re seeing in the communities they serve, and how implementation funding will directly impact residents of western North Carolina. 

The Role of Libraries in Digital Inclusion

In episode 17 of The Connector Podcast, Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) Digital Inclusion Initiative Leader Samantha Graham and BAND-NC Project Specialist Jess Epsten are joined by State Library of North Carolina Digital Literacy Skills Coordinator Lori Special to talk about the critical role libraries play in expanding digital literacy and access across North Carolina communities. 
A man speaks into a microphone at the front of a room. In the background, several people sit at a table listening.

Community Cohort Team Discusses Engaging with Underutilized Workers in Eastern NC

Members of the Eastern Carolina Region community team engaged in dialogue with businesses, community leaders, and individual job-seekers, at a regional action planning meeting in Snow Hill on September 13. 

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About IEI

Established in 2002 at NC State University, the Institute for Emerging Issues is a nonpartisan, public policy organization that connects individuals and businesses across sectors, regions and perspectives to address emerging issues in the state. Through this collaboration, IEI is connecting North Carolinians to build consensus and move to action—inspiring and preparing citizens and leaders to meet future challenges head-on.

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Community STories

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A man speaks into a microphone at the front of a room. In the background, several people sit at a table listening.

Community Cohort Team Discusses Engaging with Underutilized Workers in Eastern NC

Members of the Eastern Carolina Region community team engaged in dialogue with businesses, community leaders, and individual job-seekers, at a regional action planning meeting in Snow Hill on September 13. 
An adult interviews a high schooler at a table in a library

Wilson Education Partnership builds relationships between students and community

Over the past year, Wilson Education Partnership has focused on one impactful program called “Communicating with Confidence,” which aims to support students and teachers through the development of soft skills and community relationships.  
A group of high school students stand at the front of a classroom in front of a crowd, being celebrated.

Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County provides pathway to higher education

Over the past year, the Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County has returned to pre-pandemic levels of engagement, serving more than 1,000 young people in western North Carolina. The Club helps students as young as elementary school envision a future that includes higher education.  

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