Education leadership program empowers 18 South Carolina leaders

The Hunt Institute congratulates the inaugural cohort of its South Carolina Hunt State Policy Fellows program.

Eighteen local officials from across South Carolina have completed the inaugural South Carolina Hunt State Policy Fellows program. Participants deepened their understanding of the state’s educational challenges and strengthened their bipartisan networks to address them. The program highlighted local successes and showcased innovative strategies from across the country.

The inaugural cohort, comprising school board trustees, mayors, county, city, and town council members, spent five months exploring South Carolina’s education system, from early childhood through higher education, while forging meaningful, bipartisan connections across the state.

Directed by The Hunt Institute, this program empowers rising education and elected leaders throughout South Carolina. Across three sessions held from October 2025 to February 2026, Fellows delved into critical challenges, engaged with both state and national experts, and discovered ways to implement innovative solutions in their local communities. Through dynamic programming and peer-focused discussions, Fellows gained comprehensive insights into South Carolina’s education landscape.

Fellows:

• Gained insights from early childhood experts on brain development and the broader economic benefits of quality early learning.
• Listened to perspectives from public and private school administrators and teachers on topics such as funding, K–12 accountability, school choice, workforce diversity, and student mental well-being.
• Collaborated with higher education leaders to address issues related to access, affordability, and degree completion.
• Received updates from legislative leaders in both the SC House and Senate on current education policy initiatives and priorities.

Through reflections and peer-to-peer dialogue, Fellows were encouraged to turn insights into action within their communities, strengthening their roles as leaders and policymakers.

“Serving as a voice for students in the Hunt State Policy Fellows program was an incredible opportunity. It deepened my understanding of how to strengthen education across South Carolina and allowed me to learn from leaders across the political spectrum. As a member of the Aiken County School Board, I am committed to applying this experience to expand opportunities for every student.” said South Carolina Hunt State Policy Fellow, Liz Morris, Trustee, Aiken County School District

The program also showcased the strength of The Hunt Institute’s national network, giving Fellows valuable opportunities to connect with leaders and experts beyond South Carolina. This growing community of local and state policymakers remains central to the Institute’s mission: developing informed, collaborative leaders ready to strengthen education systems.

“The South Carolina Fellows demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing education policy,” said Dr. Javaid Siddiqi, President & CEO of The Hunt Institute. “While this program was originally launched in North Carolina, we are proud to have expanded the opportunity to local policymakers in South Carolina. This cohort, and the thoughtful conversations within it, embodies the vision of the late Governor Jim Hunt, North Carolina’s former governor: leaders collaborating across party lines to deepen their knowledge, build meaningful connections, and strengthen education for students.”

“The SC Hunt State Policy Fellows program gave me the opportunity to represent students, engage in bipartisan dialogue, and collaborate with leaders to strengthen education in South Carolina. As a Mayor, I am committed to using this experience to expand opportunities for the students and families that I represent.” said South Carolina Hunt State Policy Fellow GP McLeer, Mayor, City of Fountain Inn

The Hunt Institute congratulates the inaugural cohort of South Carolina Hunt State Policy Fellows and celebrates their commitment to leadership and public service. They join over 100 elected leaders from North Carolina and Virginia who have participated in this bipartisan program and will become part of a growing alumni network. Planning for a second cohort is already in progress.

About The Hunt Institute

The Hunt Institute, an affiliate of Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, is a leader in transforming public education. Marshaling expertise from a nationwide partner network since its establishment in 2001, The Institute brings together people and resources that help build and nurture visionary leadership and mobilize strategic action for greater educational outcomes and student success. For more information, please visit: http://www.hunt-institute.org/