RALEIGH, N.C. ⸺ Five educators across North Carolina have been named 2025-26 Kenan Fellows to drive innovation in computer science education. This initiative is a collaboration between the Office of Career and Technical Education (CTE) at the N.C. Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership at N.C. State University.
These five educators are part of the 30-member 2025-26 Kenan Fellows cohort. Through their year-long fellowships, the teachers will apply their expertise to help students build computational thinking skills and advance computer science in K–12 education statewide. NCDPI’s ongoing commitment makes this the fourth consecutive year of this vital program.
As part of their immersive fellowship experience, these educators will partner with leading industries, including Hitachi Astemo, Honda Aviation, Baxter Healthcare, and Harrah’s Casino. This direct exposure will inform their teaching and connect classroom learning to future career pathways for their students.
The following educators have been selected:
- Tammy Hedgepeth, Edgecombe County Schools
- Kelly Dillman, Onslow County Schools
- Mark Case, Guilford County Schools
- Paige Jackson, Alexander County Schools
- Trista Williams, Cherokee Central Schools
Selection for the Kenan Fellows program is competitive. Each Fellow will attend three residential professional learning institutes centered on leadership development and community impact and one professional development focusing on computer science. They will also receive a $5,000 stipend and participate in a two-week internship within local industries.
“Thanks to the continued support of NCDPI, we can provide crucial opportunities in regions of our state where students often have limited access to information about tech careers and the essential skills required to succeed in those fields,” noted Vance Kite, director of the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership.