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Director’s Message | June 2025

Institute for Emerging Issues

A group of people in a conference room sitting at tables in a U-shape. Everyone is facing a person who is standing in the front of the room in front of a projector.

Sep 22, 2025

IEI Releases Recommended Strategies for Strengthening NC’s Energy Infrastructure

IEI is pleased to present the final recommended strategies for strengthening North Carolina's Energy Infrastructure. These recommended strategies were developed by the Energy Infrastructure Advisory Council as part of the 2025 Emerging Issues Forum: Future Forward Energy.
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.

A headshot of IEI Director Sarah Hall; text reads “Director’s Message, August 2025, NC State University Institute for Emerging Issues.”.

Aug 29, 2025

Director’s Message | August 2025

As the 2025-26 academic year begins, IEI Director Sarah Hall notes the release of the final Recommended Strategies for Strengthening Our Energy Infrastructure in the coming weeks. This fall, the Water Infrastructure Advisory Council will also start convening, carrying this momentum forward for the 2026 program of work on water.

Aug 25, 2025

Fall 2025 Strategic Workforce Leadership Initiative Accepting Applications

Applications are currently being accepted for the Fall 2025 Strategic Workforce Leadership Initiative cohort, taking place Oct. 28-31. Only 25 spots are available. Applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis until Sept. 26, or until all spots are filled.
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.
A headshot of IEI Director Sarah Hall; text reads “Director’s Message, July 2025, NC State University Institute for Emerging Issues.”.

Jul 30, 2025

Director’s Message | July 2025

IEI Director Sarah Hall underscores the Institute’s unwavering dedication to statewide infrastructure conversations following the devastation of Tropical Storm Chantal, including hosting focus groups this fall to help shape the 2026 forum, “Future Forward Water.” She also shares how IEI continues to drive and remain proactive in other programmatic work beyond forum planning.
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.
A headshot of IEI Director Sarah Hall; text reads “Director’s Message, June 2025, NC State University Institute for Emerging Issues.”.

Jun 24, 2025

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.