The Connector

Video thumbnail with text: "Investing in Our Water Workforce," featuring headshots of Jessica Solis Aguilar, Bill Frazier, Perry Harker and Daniel Manring.

May 20, 2026

Water Wednesdays: Investing in Our Water Workforce

In this Water Wednesdays episode, IEI Policy and Program Manager Jessica Solis Aguilar welcomes three guests to discuss the state’s workforce crisis in the water industry. They explore solutions to rebuild the talent pipeline, including community college training, apprenticeships, certification reforms and industry partnerships.

Video thumbnail with text: "Rethinking Resiliency in Our Water Systems," featuring headshots of Jessica Solis Aguilar, Kerri Allen, Scott Elliott and Emily Sutton.

May 6, 2026

Water Wednesdays: Rethinking Resiliency in Our Water Systems

In this kickoff to The Connector's "Water Wednesdays" series, three special guests join IEI Policy and Program Manager Jessica Solis Aguilar to explore how local leaders can work together to fortify North Carolina's water systems against extreme weather, aging infrastructure and other challenges to build a more resilient future.

Video thumbnail of IEI Policy & Program Manager Tarik Woods, NC Dept. of Commerce Assistant Secretary of Workforce Solutions Andrea DeSantis, NC Chamber Senior Director of Infrastructure Competitiveness Dana Magliola and NC Justice Center Senior Energy Policy Advocate Claire Williamson; text reads “The Connector, Watt's Next?, NC State University Institute for Emerging Issues.”

Dec 2, 2025

Watt’s Next?

In the season two finale, IEI Policy and Program Manager Tarik Woods is joined by three EIAC members: Andrea DeSantis, Dana Magliola and Claire Williamson. Together, they reflect on the Strategies for Strengthening Our Energy Infrastructure, policy recommendations aimed at helping North Carolinians tackle energy challenges in their communities.

Video thumbnail featuring photos of IEI Director Sarah Hall and NCCCS Associate VP of Workforce Strategies Dr. Andrew Gardner; text reads "NC Community Colleges: Expanding Opportunities for Students & Adults Learners.”

Nov 11, 2025

NC Community Colleges: Expanding Opportunities for Students and Adult Learners

Financial aid just got an upgrade! In this episode, IEI Director Sarah Hall and NCCCS Associate VP of Workforce Strategies Dr. Andrew Gardner talk about two major wins for North Carolina: expansion of Pell Grants to cover short-term training programs and the inclusion of registered apprentices in the Short-Term Workforce Development Grant.

Video thumbnail featuring photos of IEI Digital Opportunities Lead Jess Epsten with Friday Institute's Director of Digital Learning Emma Braaten, Friday Institute's Digital Literacy Coordinator Becky Evans-Wilson, and NCDIT Office of Digital Opportunity Director Maggie Woods; text reads “Exploring NC's Digital Skills Standards.”

Oct 14, 2025

Exploring NC’s New Digital Skills Standards

IEI Digital Opportunities Initiative Lead Jess Epsten sits down with digital opportunity experts from the Friday Institute and the NC Department of Information Technology to explore the newly released NC Digital Skills Standards, a framework designed to connect North Carolinians across the digital divide.

Video thumbnail featuring photos of IEI Director Sarah Hall with Kenan Fellows Program Director Dr. Vance Kite and Associate Director Mark Townley; text reads “The Kenan Fellows Legacy.”

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.

Video thumbnail featuring photos of IEI Director Sarah Hall with District C CEO and Co-founder Dan Gonzalez and SparkNC President Dr. Lynn Moody; text reads “Igniting Tomorrow's Workforce.”

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.

Video thumbnail featuring photos of IEI Communications Director Jenn Heiss with Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont Stakeholder Engagement Manager Justin Taylor; text reads “Climbing the Benefits Cliff in NC.”

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.

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.

Video thumbnail featuring photos of IEI Director Sarah Hall and Peter A. Pappas Real Estate Development Program Director Chuck Flink; text reads “The Pappas Effect.”

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.