The Hunt Institute

Our 2026 Across the Aisle Public Opinion Poll asks parents and voters about their top education priorities and policy solutions. Americans are more unified than most media leads us to believe. According to our data, over 90% of respondents want our education system to offer access to quality teachers, support student literacy, and prepare students for the workforce.

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At The Hunt Institute, we know that supportive learning environments extend beyond the classroom. Empowering leaders to create policy that addresses the whole child is essential to student success.

Oklahoma is doing just that by investing in student nutrition and local agriculture. A newly signed law establishes the Local Food for Schools Program, ensuring students have access to fresh, healthy meals that fuel their learning.

Read more about how this policy drives student well-being from Oklahoma State Senate: https://buff.ly/sDdBIWo

Preparing today's students for tomorrow's workforce requires a dynamic, inclusive postsecondary landscape. This , The Hunt Institute celebrates the educators and leaders dedicated to expanding access to college and career pathways.

As highlighted in our recent Student Parents Issue Brief, roughly 20% of undergraduate students are balancing the dual demands of raising a family and pursuing a credential.

We remain committed to ensuring that postsecondary success is attainable for every student, regardless of their family responsibilities.

State funding for higher education is one of the most powerful policy levers for driving economic mobility. Yet, the mechanics of how these dollars are distributed are often opaque.

To demystify these structures, HCM Strategists and The Education Trust have released a public policy primer analyzing fifteen years of state fiscal choices. The video breaks down how higher education funding operates and explains why state-level legislative decisions are critical to institutional equity and capacity.

At The Hunt Institute, we know that resource equity is the foundation of student success. We are sharing this primer because state leaders cannot optimize the education-to-workforce continuum without first understanding—and reforming—the fiscal models that fund it. Watch the breakdown:

Financing Futures 101: A Primer on How States Fund Higher Education A public policy primer video about how higher ed funding typically ...

As the Carolina Hurricanes prepare for Game 2, we're celebrating a unique piece of North Carolina history that is also part of our story!

In 1997, Governor Jim Hunt helped champion the relocation of the Hartford Whalers to North Carolina, a move that brought NHL hockey to our state and laid the foundation for what would become one of the league's most passionate fan bases.

Governor Hunt recognized the opportunity to elevate North Carolina's national profile while creating lasting economic and community impact. His support helped make the Carolina Hurricanes a reality, giving generations of North Carolinians a team to rally around.

Today, as the Hurricanes continue their playoff run, we're proud to reflect on the leadership, vision, and state pride that helped bring hockey to North Carolina.

Good luck to the Canes in Game 2. The entire state is behind you. Let's go Canes!

Transitioning policy into practice requires collaboration that rises above party lines. Our newly released digital Issue Brief captures the essential insights and strategic frameworks developed during this year’s North Carolina Holshouser Legislators Retreat. Designed for policymakers, state executives, and education stakeholders, this resource dives deep into foundational literacy, early childhood programs, and alternative career pathways to provide a clear roadmap for future policy design.

Read the full brief here: https://buff.ly/g5m1cYB

That’s a wrap on the 2026 Guilford County Attainment Summit! 🎓✨

Yesterday, we gathered with leaders, educators, and advocates to tackle a critical question: How do we build a clearer pathway to postsecondary success and workforce readiness right here in Guilford County?

True economic mobility requires a modern education system that supports every learner—including the working parents and rural students who represent our future talent pipeline. A huge thank you to everyone who joined the conversation and committed to taking action. The summit may be over, but the work is just getting started.

My Future NC

The Hunt Institute is pleased to announce the recent relaunch of our new monthly newsletter, Hunt Highlights!

Designed for policymakers, educators, and leaders across the education ecosystem, this publication will provide timely, nonpartisan analysis of key policy trends, highlights from our ongoing programmatic work, and critical resources to support your leadership. Ensure you receive the monthly newsletter by subscribing to our mailing list today.

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At The Hunt Institute, driving economic mobility requires us to continuously re-examine how and where learning pathways are built, ensuring they meet learners exactly where they are.

A compelling feature from Inside Higher Ed highlights a critical tool for this mission: leveraging registered apprenticeships to bridge the postsecondary divide in rural communities.

Three key insights for state leaders and policymakers:
🔹 Halting "Brain Drain": Aligning alternative credentials with local employers keeps talent and capital within rural communities.
🔹 Stackable Pathways: On-the-job training can stack seamlessly into long-term degree attainment, proving workforce readiness and higher education aren't mutually exclusive.
🔹 Bipartisan Action: Aligning education to workforce needs remains a clear area of nonpartisan consensus. State executives have a unique window to scale these public-private partnerships.

To secure a more equitable future, state policy must support innovative, flexible models that span the entire education-to-workforce continuum. Read the full analysis:

Rural Opportunity Through Apprenticeship From special education classrooms in rural Missouri to manufacturing plants in central New York, apprenticeship programs and their higher ed partners are helping workers earn while they learn, fill critical labor shortages and build careers close to home.

This June, The Hunt Institute is proud to recognize National Caribbean-American Heritage Month. We honor the rich history, traditions, and generations of Caribbean-Americans who have shaped our nation's cultural and educational fabric. From pioneering educators to community advocates, these leaders continue to inspire excellence in our classrooms and beyond. Please join us this month in celebrating their enduring legacy and achievements