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IEI Celebrates 2025 Strategic Workforce Leadership Initiative Graduates

NC State University

Close-up of IEI's 2025-26 Hunt Intern Rosie Thyne.

Sep 9, 2025

Meet Rosie, IEI’s New Hunt Intern

Get to know IEI's new Hunt Intern, Rosie! The Hunt Internship is a program for NC State undergraduates interested in a career in public policy and public service.
Headshots of IEI Director Sarah Hall with Kenan Fellows Program Director Dr. Vance Kite and Associate Director Mark Townley; text reads “The Connector, The Kenan Fellows Legacy: Celebrating 25 Years of Teacher Leadership, NC State University Institute for Emerging Issues.”

Sep 8, 2025

The Kenan Fellows Legacy: Celebrating 25 Years of Teacher Leadership

This episode explores how the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership gives educators firsthand experience in local industries through unique immersion fellowships, helping them equip students with the skills needed for future careers.

Headshots of IEI Director Sarah Hall with District C CEO Dan Gonzalez and SparkNC President Dr. Lynn Moody; text reads “The Connector, Igniting Tomorrow's Workforce, NC State University Institute for Emerging Issues.”

Aug 19, 2025

Igniting Tomorrow’s Workforce

Today’s youth are the workforce of tomorrow. In this episode of "The Connector," IEI Director Sarah Hall sits down with two leaders who are revolutionizing high school education and workforce development: SparkNC President Dr. Lynn Moody and District C CEO Dan Gonzalez.
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.”

Jul 14, 2025

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.”.

Jun 24, 2025

Designing Our Future: Sustainable Cities & Urban Planning

In this special episode 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.
Five people sitting at a large table, talking with eachother. Two other large tables can be seen in the background with other people sitting around them and talking.

Jun 23, 2025

Faith and Community Gathering Brings Leaders Together to Discuss Energy Issues

Faith leaders, advocates and community partners gathered at Open Table United Methodist Church in Raleigh on May 29, 2025, to reflect on conversations started at the 2025 Emerging Issues Forum, focusing on energy. 
Headshots of IEI Director Sarah Hall with Pappas Real Estate Development Program Director Chuck Flink; text reads “The Connector, The Pappas Effect: Building Resilient Communities, NC State University Institute for Emerging Issues.”

Jun 17, 2025

The Pappas Effect: Building Resilient Communities

How is North Carolina preparing for its housing and real estate future? IEI Director Sarah Hall and Director of NC State’s Peter A. Pappas Real Estate Development Program Chuck Flink discuss the Pappas program’s mission to foster resilient communities and sustainable land use, revealing its impact and future plans for addressing the state’s growth-driven challenges.
Close-up shot of a black and clear plasma ball with a yellow "Future Forward Energy" logo sticker on the front.

Jun 12, 2025

Thought Leaders Convene at Emerging Issues Forum to Explore the Future of Energy

IEI held the 2025 Emerging Issues Forum: Future Forward Energy on May 28 in Raleigh. Nearly 500 attendees representing a range of key sectors and regions gathered to examine the demands on North Carolina's evolving energy infrastructure.
Headshots of IEI Director Sarah Hall with UWNC President and CEO Brittany Pruitt Fletcher; text reads “The Connector, The ALICE Report: Unpacking Financial Need in North Carolina, NC State University Institute for Emerging Issues.”

Jun 2, 2025

The ALICE Report: Unpacking Financial Need in North Carolina

Many families across North Carolina are just one emergency away from a financial crisis. United Way of North Carolina President and CEO Brittany Pruitt Fletcher joins IEI Director Sarah Hall to unpack the state's financial need and the newly released ALICE Report.
Group photo of the Spring 2025 SWLI graduates

May 9, 2025

IEI Celebrates 2025 Strategic Workforce Leadership Initiative Graduates

IEI is excited to announce the graduation of the spring 2025 class of the Strategic Workforce Leadership Initiative (SWLI), a professional development program for leaders in workforce and economic development.