Higher Ed Works is now Public Ed Works.
Public Ed Works is a non-partisan 501(c)(3) public charity that focuses on increasing residents’ knowledge of public education in North Carolina. Public Ed Works educates state residents about the benefits our public education systems provide and explains how public schools are funded and supported.
Public Ed Works supports a strong, well-funded public education system from Pre-K through college that will enable North Carolina to increase postsecondary attainment and achieve the goals of myFutureNC. Research has shown that adequate funding makes a difference, and Public Ed Works works to inspire legislative support and funding for all of NC public education.
NC Pre-K through 12 public education, in particular, suffers from massive underfunding. As a result;
- NC fell to #50 out of 50 states in percentage of GDP invested in K-12.
- NC starting teacher pay is the lowest in the Southeast.
- In 2023, NC public schools started short 3,000+ teachers.
Follow this link for more statistics on the dire state of NC public education.
Public Ed Works uses social media, digital marketing, our website, weekly newsletter, and advertising to connect with more than 2,500,000 people each year who engage with our content at a very high rate. Public Ed Works collaborates with many excellent NC education-focused organizations across the state. The Public School Forum of North Carolina, BEST NC, Public Schools First NC, and Education NC are a few of the organizations with which we work.
In 2024 Public Ed Works will celebrate 10 years of public education advocacy!
|
Paul Fulton, ChairEmma Battle, Chapel Hill, NC – President and CEO, Public Ed Works
Eden Bloss, Greensboro, NC – Vice President of Communications, Carnegie Learning, Inc.
Kristye K. Brackett, Raleigh, NC – Former Director of Leadership Giving, Meredith College and Senior Consultant at CapDev
Jan Capps, Wilmington/Greensboro, NC – Former Chair, Cape Fear Community College Foundation
Rusty Carter, Wilmington, NC – President, Atlantic Packaging Company
Melissa Cominole, Raleigh, NC – Senior Research Education Analyst, RTI International
Melissa Davis, Charlotte, NC – Sr. Development Director, Corporation and Foundation Relations, Public Ed Works
Jim Deal, Boone, NC – Attorney, Deal, Moseley, and Smith, LLP
William Dudley, Raleigh, NC – Attorney, Political and Business Consultant, Dudley Solutions, LLC
Melissa Hlavac, Carrboro, NC – Chief Innovation & Strategy Officer, UNC Chapel Hill
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
Nicole Royster, Charlotte, NC – Director of Grants Management, Truist
Doug Shackelford, Chapel Hill, NC – Retired, Dean Kenan Flagler Business School
John Tate, Charlotte, NC – Retired Bank Executive
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