The Hunt Institute

The Hunt Institute is proud to announce our inaugural MSI Leaders Lab cohort from North Carolina Central University, Winston-Salem State University, and North Carolina A&T State University.

Convened by The Hunt Institute and funded by the John M. Belk Endowment, this initiative connects higher education leadership directly with state policymakers. Over a three-part immersive experience, this cohort collaborated on critical postsecondary priorities to ensure our state’s minority-serving institutions remain at the center of education and economic policy discussions. Together, we are building stronger institutions, better policy, and a brighter future for North Carolina.

Swipe through to hear from the leaders and champions driving this vital work forward.
Read the full press release: https://buff.ly/4A3kP8t

A major shift in federal financial aid policy is creating new opportunities for workforce education — but are states and institutions ready?
Join The Hunt Institute for Unlocking Workforce Pell Access, a timely conversation focused on the implementation of the new Workforce Pell Grant and what it will take to expand access to high-quality short-term credential programs.

Panelists will discuss:
• Demystifying the new Workforce Pell framework
• Navigating FAFSA and eligibility updates
• Aligning workforce and education systems for compliance and success
• Supporting adult learners through more accessible pathways
• Leveraging tools and partnerships to strengthen implementation

📅 Thursday, July 23, 2026
⏰ 2:00–3:00 PM EDT | 11:00 AM–12:00 PM PDT
📍 Zoom

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how states and institutions can prepare for this new era of workforce-focused financial aid.
Register here: https://buff.ly/iJpmCVR

The chronic-absentee crisis requires strategic, bipartisan state leadership.

A new report highlighted by Chalkbeat reveals that 22.6% of K-12 students across 44 states and D.C. were chronically absent during the 2024-25 school year.

Data shows a significant perception gap: 60% of parents view absenteeism as a major national issue, but only 28% recognize it as a problem in their own child's school.

Through our State Legislators Retreats, The Hunt Institute brings together policymakers and education leaders to collaborate and discuss. Reversing this trend demands a comprehensive approach, such as establishing early warning systems and deepening family-school engagement.

To ensure our school systems remain productive, state leaders must collaborate across the aisle to implement the solutions needed to bring students back into the classroom.

Read the full analysis from Chalkbeat: https://buff.ly/2NefWMg
Learn more about our State Legislators Retreats: https://buff.ly/KJhoHuw

The pandemic may not fully explain today's absenteeism crisis. Just look at kindergartners. The U.S. Dept. of Education called chronic absenteeism a crisis in 2015. The rate of students missing school regularly has only soared since then.