Our Work
Innovative Rural Economic Development
NC East Alliance is building a vehicle for change in eastern North Carolina. Currently, the most front facing initiative is our education and workforce development initiative, STEM East. Currently 30 school districts and 12 community colleges are members of the network. The main goal of STEM East is to grow the future workforce of eastern NC. In addition to STEM East, NC East is developing marketing, economic development, and community development initiatives to provide capacity and continuity in eastern NC.
STEM East Industry In Schools:
STEM Schools of Distinction
Industry has recognized the impact a STEM School of Distinction can have on students. NC East will work with K-12 public schools to increase the number of STEM Schools of Distinction in the region through technical assistance workshops.
ATE Network
The National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technical Education program supports the development of partnerships between community colleges, other academic institutions, and industry to improve STEM education for a technical workforce in a specific industry. NC East will work to develop regional partnerships in eastern NC to pursue opportunities supported by the NSF ATE program.
Industry Cluster Education
NC East will work to create a number of Industry in Schools clusters focused on the prominent industries of eastern NC. These clusters will connect industry directly to schools to promote awareness of education, training opportunities, and jobs within a cluster.
Regional Career and Job Fairs
NC East will work with regional partners to develop industry specific regional career and job fairs. Companies from all over eastern NC in a specified industry will come together to highlight the wide variety of opportunities within their industry.