Higher Ed Works Introduction

Higher Ed Works is a non-partisan 501(c)(3) public charity that supports public higher education in North Carolina.

We focus on increasing residents’ knowledge of the value of NC public, postsecondary education in order to influence postsecondary attainment. We also build support among citizens and leaders for strong state investment in North Carolina’s public universities and community colleges by increasing awareness of Article IX, Section 9 of the North Carolina Constitution:

“The General Assembly shall provide that the benefits of The University of North Carolina and other public institutions of higher education, as far as practicable, be extended to the people of the State free of expense.”

A strong, well-funded public education system – from early childhood through postsecondary – ensures fairness and equity. It enables all North Carolinians to achieve their full potential, improve economic mobility, and realize life goals. For low income North Carolinians, the path to upward mobility goes through obtaining the education credentials needed to fill well-paying jobs. According to research from the Pew Charitable Trust, with postsecondary credentials, 90% of our poorest citizens can achieve mobility out of poverty. Without postsecondary credentials, 47% will remain stuck.

Our children and grandchildren deserve the opportunity to get a quality education at an affordable price in order to realize their full potential. North Carolina’s public universities and community colleges are the crown jewels of the state and can provide that opportunity – they set North Carolina apart. Their remaining accessible and affordable for all North Carolinians is paramount.

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Paul Fulton, Chair Former President, Sara Lee Corporation; Chairman, Bassett Furniture Industries; Former Member, University of North Carolina Board of Governors; Former Member, UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees; Former Member, Winston-Salem State University Board of Trustees

Eden Bloss, Greensboro, NC – Vice President of Communications, Carnegie Learning, Inc.
Jan Capps, Wilmington/Greensboro, NC – Former Chair, Cape Fear Community College Foundation
Rusty Carter, Wilmington, NC – President, Atlantic Packaging Company
Dean Castaldo, Greensboro, NC – Regional Director of Development, US Naval Academy Foundation
Heather Chandler, Cary, NC – Owner and Director, Whole Brain Escape
Melissa Cominole, Raleigh, NC – Senior Research Education Analyst, RTI International
Jim Deal, Boone, NC – Attorney, Deal, Moseley, and Smith, LLP
William Dudley, Raleigh, NC – Attorney, Political and Business Consultant, Dudley Solutions, LLC
Gary Green, Winston-Salem, NC – Retired President, Forsyth Technical Community College
Ray Peck, Raleigh, NC – Senior Vice President Investments, Raymond James
King Prather, Cary, NC – Former SVP, General Counsel at BCBSNC
Michael Rogers, Winston-Salem, NC – Senior Vice President and Loan Team Manager, Wells Fargo
Millie Tan, Durham, NC – Managing Director, TAN Associates
Elaine Townsend Utin, Chapel Hill, NC – Executive Director & Co-Founder, LatinxEd
Damon Wade, Raleigh, NC – Vice President for Enrollment Management & Marketing, William Peace University
Rob Welch, Winston-Salem, NC – Vice President, I.L. Long Construction Company, Inc.
John (Buddy) Wester, Charlotte, NC – Litigator, Robinson Bradshaw
Brad Wilson, Raleigh, NC – Executive in Residence, Wake Forest University

STAFF
Emma Battle, President and CEO
David Rice, Executive Director
Melissa (Mel) Davis, Vice President of Development
Tricia Daisley, Development Director
Jennie Hayman, Development Consultant
Debra Davis Rezeli, Engagement Director