Become an Industry Host

Education-industry connections that strengthen communities

The Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership connects K-12 educators with host organizations in local industry and business settings, creating opportunities that build meaningful relationships and help students understand how the STEM concepts they learn in school apply in the workplace.

Host companies provide an exciting professional development opportunity for local educators, taking them behind the scenes and guiding them in connecting workplace content with STEM principles for classroom application.

Classroom-to-Career Connections

K-12 educators selected as Kenan Fellows or STEMwork Scholars tour host organizations and engage with employees. STEMwork Scholars visit various host sites as part of a regional cohort of educators.

Kenan Fellows spend three weeks with a host organization in a summer immersion experience. The full fellowship lasts one year and includes 80 hours of leadership training and a capstone project based on the Fellow’s industry experience.

“It is so important for educators to have the information to teach students about agriculture, as the general public is many generations removed from the farm. Agriculture is our lifeblood, and through this partnership, educators get a front row seat to the agriculture in their county.”

Kenan Fellows Mentor Heather Willoughby, NC Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom

Empowering 600+ Educators in 24 Years

Kenan Fellows deliver career-connected curricula, community engagement initiatives, STEM outreach, professional development, and educational resources for schools and business partners.

STEMwork Scholars design project-based learning lessons that promote collaborative learning and engage local businesses.

Corporate and community foundations invest in Kenan Fellows because:

• NC ranks 23rd in science, engineering, and tech employment.
• 100% high or extremely high student engagement in KFP lessons was reported.
• Alumni deliver 45 hours of professional development per year on average. It is estimated that the alumni network provides about $1.5M annually in free professional development.
• About 95% of Kenan Fellows remain in education five years after completing the fellowship.

Interested in your business becoming a host site?

Business and industry partners can participate in the yearlong fellowship program or become a STEMwork site host. Some companies have elected to do both.

To learn more about hosting educators contact, Mark Townley, associate director, at matownle@ncsu.edu.

“My internship at Eaton Corporation allowed me to examine the production of hydraulic hoses from formation to sales, and much more. At each stage of the process, I was able to interview a range of employees and gain insight into the skills that workers need. As an educator, I hope to better prepare students for the transition from school to work.”

Kenan Fellow Jennifer Allsbrook

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