News

High Point, N.C., November 6 — High Point Mayor Cyril Jefferson has been selected to join the 2025–26 ElevateNC: Higher Education cohort, a distinguished statewide leadership program of The Hunt Institute, in partnership with myFutureNC. The bipartisan program brings together accomplished leaders from North Carolina’s public, private, and nonprofit sectors to advance strategies that strengthen the state’s talent pipeline and expand access to higher education.

Now in its latest cohort, ElevateNC: Higher Education is designed to equip state and regional leaders from both sides of the aisle with the knowledge, partnerships, and tools to increase postsecondary attainment and align education with workforce needs. Participants are chosen for their demonstrated leadership and commitment to driving community-focused solutions that close equity gaps and promote economic opportunity.

“Being selected for ElevateNC is an incredible honor,” said Mayor Jefferson. “When we align employers, colleges, and community partners, we create pathways for families to thrive and position North Carolina for long-term success. This program represents the kind of collaborative, results-oriented work that moves our state forward.”

Over the course of ten months, cohort members will convene across North Carolina for three in-person sessions, engaging with students, practitioners, and policy experts while developing actionable plans for their communities. The 2025–26 sessions are scheduled as follows:

• Meeting One: North Carolina’s Higher Education Landscape — October 6–7, 2025; Winston-Salem

• Meeting Two: Access and Success in Postsecondary Education — December 1–2, 2025; Chapel Hill

• Meeting Three: Ensuring Postsecondary Completion and Attainment — March 2–3, 2026; Raleigh/Durham

North Carolina’s economy increasingly depends on an educated workforce, yet degree and credential attainment have not kept pace with employer demand. With as many as 300,000 jobs projected to go unfilled by 2030, myFutureNC has set a statewide goal for two million North Carolinians ages 25-44 to earn a high-quality credential or degree by the end of the decade. ElevateNC plays a key role in building the leadership capacity needed to meet that goal.

About ElevateNC: Higher Education

ElevateNC: Higher Education is a nonpartisan leadership program of The Hunt Institute, conducted in partnership with myFutureNC. The program convenes cross-sector leaders to develop strategies that increase access, success, and completion in higher education, with a focus on advancing North Carolina’s economic and workforce priorities.

About Mayor Cyril Jefferson

Cyril Jefferson serves as Mayor of High Point, North Carolina, where he champions partnerships that connect education, workforce development, and economic growth. His leadership focuses on building inclusive opportunities that strengthen communities and support long-term prosperity across the region. Jefferson is a candidate for North Carolina’s 6^th Congressional District.