Governor, North Carolina

Born and raised in Nash County, Governor Cooper attended public schools and worked summers on the family farm before attending UNC-Chapel Hill on a Morehead Scholarship. In the NC House and Senate, Governor Cooper fought to increase teacher pay and reduce class sizes. As North Carolina’s 75th Governor, Governor Cooper is working to make lasting investments in our future. He wants to ensure that North Carolinians are better educated, healthier, and more prosperous for generations to come. Since taking office, Governor Cooper has worked to create thousands of new jobs. He has focused on boosting public education, tackling the opioid crisis, revitalizing rural communities and making sure North Carolinians have the training to fill better-paying jobs that require more skills. Governor Cooper believes that when we work together, we can build a North Carolina that works for everyone.

Governor, North Carolina (1977-1985; 1993-2001)

Recognized nationally as a leader in education, Governor Jim Hunt led North Carolina through 20 years of dramatic economic change. Serving a historic four terms as governor, he has been at the forefront of education reform in North Carolina and in the nation. As governor, he focused on early childhood development and improving the quality of teaching in America. His Smart Start program received the prestigious Innovations in American Government Award from the Ford Foundation and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Additionally, under his leadership, North Carolina public schools improved test scores more than any other state in the 1990s, according to the Rand Corporation.

President & CEO, Education Trust

Secretary John B. King is the President & CEO of The Education Trust and former U.S. Secretary of Education. He was a teacher himself, helped found a charter school in Boston, served as Commissioner of Education for New York State, and served as Principal Senior Advisor at the Department of Education prior to becoming the U.S. Secretary of Education. Secretary King brings a continued commitment to the advancement of equity for all students and adamantly supports elevating educators and the teaching profession.