RALEIGH, N.C. – Union Power Cooperative serves over 90,000 member accounts across five North Carolina counties. One of the teachers in those communities is about to see the operation up close.

Kristin Owens-White, a teacher at South Stanly Middle School in Stanly County Schools district, has been awarded a 2026–27 Kenan Fellowship through a partnership with Union Power Cooperative, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, and the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership at N.C. State University.

This summer, Owens-White will learn alongside industry professionals to explore the electric cooperative business model and see firsthand how electricity is distributed across the region. She will use that experience to develop classroom resources that help students understand where electricity comes from and introduce them to careers in the utility industry.

Owens-White is ready to work shoulder to shoulder with industry partners to understand her community’s needs and bring that learning back to her students. “I believe that teaching is strongest when it’s collaborative, so I actively seek out opportunities to learn from and work alongside other professionals who share a passion for hands-on, meaningful learning,” she said.

North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives is a long-time partner of the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership, with a sustained commitment to connecting teachers to the energy industry and expanding what students can imagine for their futures.

“Supporting education is one of the best investments we can make in our communities. Through the Kenan Fellows Program, we can connect teachers with real-world experiences that strengthen classroom learning, inspire students, and introduce them to career opportunities close to home. We’re proud to support educators like Kristin Owens-White as they help prepare the next generation of leaders,” said Emily Aldridge, communication/public relations specialist for Union Power Cooperative.

“Our state’s electric cooperatives have a long-standing dedication to strengthening the communities we serve, and supporting students, teachers and schools remains central to that mission,” said Andrew Meehan, vice president of strategic communications for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives.

As part of the fellowship, Owens-White will receive 80 hours of professional development and a $5,000 stipend. She will also join something larger than a single fellowship year:  a statewide network of 680 Kenan Fellows alumni who support one another, share resources and stay in education longer as a result.

“North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives has been a trusted partner in this work for years. Together, we are building a bridge between the energy industry and the classrooms preparing the next generation,” said Vance Kite, director of the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership.

About Union Power Cooperative

Union Power Cooperative is an electric distribution cooperative located in Monroe, N.C., serving over 90,000 member accounts across Union, Stanly, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg and Rowan counties. Union Power’s mission is to enhance the quality of life of its members and the communities it serves by delivering safe, reliable electric power and energy services. Learn more at union-power.com.

About North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives

North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives includes the family of organizations formed to support the state’s 26 community-based electric cooperatives, which collectively serve more than 2.8 million North Carolinians. These organizations are North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation, a generation and transmission cooperative; North Carolina Association of Electric Cooperatives, the cooperatives’ trade association; and Tarheel Electric Membership Association, Inc., a central purchasing and materials-supply cooperative. Visit their website: ncelectriccooperatives.com

About the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership

The Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership is a statewide force for teacher leadership and growth in North Carolina. Founded in 2000 and based at the Kenan Institute for Engineering, Technology & Science at N.C. State University, the program invests in teachers through immersive industry experiences, professional development, and a strong, enduring community. Every investment returns to classrooms, schools and communities, advancing education and our communities’ future together. Learn more at kenanfellows.org.