The Institute for Emerging Issues

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

Headshots of IEI Communications Director Jennifer Heiss with Stakeholder Engagement Manager Justin Taylor; text reads “The Connector, Climbing the Benefits Cliff in North Carolina, NC State University Institute for Emerging Issues.”

Climbing the Benefits Cliff in North Carolina

Are pay raises always a good thing? IEI Communications Director Jennifer Heiss sits down with Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont’s Stakeholder Engagement Manager Justin Taylor to explain the benefits cliff, the effect it has on a family’s financial well-being and practical strategies that help address this issue.

Decorative graphic with headshots of Dr. Kofi Boone, Mitchell Silver, and Jason Hardin; text reads “Designing Our Future: Sustainable Cities & Urban Planning, NC State University Institute for Emerging Issues.”.

Designing Our Future: Sustainable Cities & Urban Planning

In this special episode of The Connector led by IEI interns, three urban planning experts explore the role education and community engagement plays in urban design and how we can integrate the next generation’s vision into building resilient, sustainable cities.

Director’s Message | June 2025

In this month’s Director’s Message, IEI Director Sarah Hall provides an update on the EIAC’s recommendations post forum and offers a future-forward look at IEI’s programmatic work on North Carolina’s infrastructure, including next year’s forum on water.

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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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Financial Resilience Community Cohort Announced

IEI is excited to announce the five regional teams that will make up the Financial Resilience community cohort. The cohort met for the first time on June 26 at the James B. Hunt Jr. Library on NC State’s Centennial Campus.

Mac Sims (center), President of East Greensboro Now, discusses how Guilford County must be able to adapt to the continued growth and economic desirability of the region.

Clean Energy, AI and Growth: Guilford County Workforce Leaders Hold Action Meeting on Jobs of the Future

Guilford County’s continued growth and workforce opportunities was the central theme at the “Jobs of the Future: Guilford County Workforce Action Meeting” that took place on March 20 in High Point.

Guilford Apprenticeship Partners (GAP) Is Building A Talent Pipeline For Years to Come

Since 2016, the Guilford Apprenticeship Partners (GAP) program has provided approximately 100 Guilford County high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to “earn and learn” by gaining paid work experience while receiving their associates degree on full scholarship.

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