N.C. A&T Division of Strategic Partnerships and Economic Development

North Carolina A&T was honored to participate in the HBCU Caucus Advocacy Day at the NC General Assembly!

Vice Chancellor Heidi Norman, on behalf of Chancellor James R. Martin II, proudly represented the Aggie community—highlighting North Carolina A&T’s path to R1 status and its significant economic impact across North Carolina.

We were proud to connect with members of the North Carolina General Assembly, including Senator Dan Blue, Senator Paul Lowe, Jr., Senator Gladys A. Robinson, and Senator Carl Ford, along with Representative Jerry “Alan” Branson, Representative Pricey Harrison, Representative Nasif Majeed, Representative Maria Cervania, Representative Zack Hawkins, Representative Bill Ward, and Representative Ray Pickett.

We were also honored to have student Madison Belin join us for this important day.

This moment reaffirmed the power and promise of HBCUs in driving innovation, preparing tomorrow’s workforce, and strengthening communities across the state of North Carolina.

Thank you to the NC General Assembly HBCU Caucus for the opportunity to engage and elevate this vital work!

It's spring commencement weekend. Maybe you can't join us in person. Help us celebrate our graduates via livestream. Each ceremony linked below:

-Graduate Ceremony: Friday, May 8, 2026, 6 p.m.
https://www.youtube.com/live/H8bbegNirZU?si=OgDDGuW0yt5NXM79

-Undergraduate Ceremony ONE: Saturday, May 9, 2026, 9 a.m.
https://www.youtube.com/live/TqcBnd09jks?si=wsOZqSEAfQ78jmgS

-Undergraduate Ceremony TWO: Saturday, May 9, 2026, 2:30 p.m.
https://www.youtube.com/live/o4pgxl_hmyI?si=_g3bkWzUEsZyQogG

Join us in congratulating our intern, Aliyyah Muhammad, on completing her public relations internship with the Division of Strategic Partnerships and Economic Development. With graduation approaching on May 9, we are proud of all she has accomplished and wish her the very best as she pursues a career in journalism and mass communications.

Meet the Team Driving Impact at N.C. A&T

At North Carolina A&T State University, the Division of Strategic Partnerships and Economic Development is committed to building meaningful collaborations that fuel innovation, advance student success, and create lasting economic impact—locally and globally.

We’re proud to introduce the team behind this work:

Left to Right:

Oliver M. Thomas, Ph.D. ‘06
Associate Vice Chancellor for External Affairs

Alana V. Allen ‘07
Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications

Lovelle McMichael Sr. ‘26
Director of Community Engagement

Aliyyah Muhammad ‘26
Public Relations Intern

Heidi Norman
Vice Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships and Economic Development

Sheena Jerman
Interim Executive Director, N.C. A&T Real Estate Foundation

LaKeya Hardy, Ph.D. ‘15
Hub Director, N.C. A&T, NC Innovation

Louis Judge ‘03
Regional Innovation Network Director – Piedmont, NC Innovation

Allyson Cobb ‘10
Director of External Partnerships

Paul Meyer
Executive Director, Gateway Research Park, Inc.

Together, we are advancing partnerships that position A&T as a leader in innovation, collaboration, and economic development.

The North Carolina A&T Real Estate Foundation, Inc., in partnership with Cone Health, celebrated the ribbon cutting of The Resurgent - a development designed to expand access to health care and economic opportunity in East Greensboro.

-The Resurgent provides a centralized location for primary, urgent and women’s health care services including thousands who will receive low or no-cost services.

-It will serve as a training environment for A&T nursing students.

-Additionally, it will serve as a hub for innovation through A&T’s Center of Excellence in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, where students and community members can incubate ideas, launch ventures and grow businesses.

https://www.ncat.edu/news/2026/04/resurgent-ribbon-cutting.php