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Director’s Log | May 2024

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A headshot of IEI Director Sarah Hall; text reads “Director’s Message, March 2026, NC State University, Institute for Emerging Issues.”

Mar 30, 2026

Director’s Message | March 2026

With spring in full swing, IEI Director Sarah Hall gives an update on the recommendations from the 2026 forum on water and reflects on the leadership breakfast that officially launched planning for the 2027 forum on housing. She also celebrates the team’s participation at the 2026 Rural Summit and previews a robust lineup of community initiative events in the coming months.
A headshot of IEI Director Sarah Hall; text reads “Director’s Message, November 2025, NC State University Institute for Emerging Issues.”.

Nov 24, 2025

Director’s Message | November 2025

IEI Director Sarah Hall shares updates on recent IEI events, celebrating the success of the Fall 2025 Strategic Workforce Leadership Initiative and the 2025 Faith & Community Initiative Conference. She also highlights the upcoming December 2025 NC Digital Opportunity Gathering and registration opening for the 2026 Emerging Issues Forum. As the holiday season approaches, Hall also expresses her deep gratitude for everyone who has made the work at IEI possible and for their unwavering support over the years.
A headshot of IEI Director Sarah Hall; text reads “Director’s Message, October 2025, NC State University Institute for Emerging Issues.”.

Oct 28, 2025

Director’s Message | October 2025

It's officially forum season at IEI! Director Sarah Hall announces that tickets for the 2026 Emerging Issues Forum will go on sale in early November. This landmark forum, which kicks off a year-long celebration of the event’s 40th anniversary, will be held simultaneously on Feb. 25 in Asheville, Winston-Salem and Morehead City. Additionally, registration is now open for both the 2025 Faith & Community Initiative Conference and the December 2025 NC Digital Opportunity Gathering.
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.
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.
A man and a woman talking in front of a large digital sign that says "NC Digital Opportunity Gatheirng'

May 29, 2025

A Family Reunion: Spring 2025 NC Digital Opportunity Gathering Recap

More than 220 people from across the state came to IEI on April 28 for the 2025 NC Digital Opportunity Gathering, the first of three upcoming collaborative events between IEI and the N.C. Department of Information Technology.

A headshot of IEI Director Sarah Hall; text reads “Director’s Message, December 2024, NC State University Institute for Emerging Issues.”.

Dec 20, 2024

Director’s Message | December 2024

In her last Director's Message of the year, IEI Director Sarah Hall announces exciting news about scholarships for K-12 educators to attend the 2025 Emerging Issues Forum, made possible by our partners at the Public Consulting Group. She also shares a recap of her top five IEI highlights from 2024.

Jun 26, 2024

Director’s Log | June 2024

Summer is officially here and Team IEI kicked it off with our first ever regional digital opportunities gathering in Flat Rock. More than 130 community leaders and digital inclusion experts…

Jun 26, 2024

BAND-NC Celebrates Digital Champion Grantees

NCDIT recently announced their Digital Champion grantees, totaling more than $30 million for digital inclusion projects across North Carolina. BAND-NC is thrilled to see so many of our partners receiving this needed funding for their programs.

May 30, 2024

Director’s Log | May 2024

The transition from April to May is interesting when you work on a college campus. One day the buildings and hallways are bustling with students going to and from classes,…