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2026 Education Summit

March 16, 2026 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EDT)

Description

Join leaders from business, industry, education and our student community for a collaborative Summit focused on strengthening Wayne County's education-to-workforce pipeline.

* Agenda

* Welcome & Breakfast

* Welcome & Opening Remarks & Breakfast
   Speaker: Mr. Todd Walker, Wayne County Chamber of Commerce

* Wayne County Snapshot: Metrics, Demographics & Trends
   Speaker: Ms. Toni Blount, My Future NC - Regional Impact Manager, Southeast Prosperity Zone

  • Presentation Topics: Population and demographic trends (age, income, mobility, military impact)
    • Educational attainment and pipeline data
    • Workforce participation and skills gaps
    • Strengths:
      • Industry clusters
      • Existing partnerships
      • Career pathways already working
    • Weaknesses / challenges:
      • Talent retention
      • Early literacy and readiness
      • Employer alignment with education

 * Workforce Development Alignment: Business & Education
       Speakers:  Dr. Kristie Sauls, Wayne Community College
                         Mr. Kevin Smith, Wayne County Public Schools
                         Dr. Jessie Tucker, UNC Health Wayne
                         

  • Presentation Topics: 
    • Current Workforce Development and Credentialing Programs
    • Employer-identified skills gaps and hiring needs
    • Apprenticeships, internships, and work-based learning models
    • Opportunities for expanded business engagement

* Early Childhood Education & Long-Term Workforce Impact

Speakers:  Ms. Valerie Wallace, Partnership for Children of Wayne County, Inc.
                  Ms. Selena Bennett, Communities Supporting Schools of Wayne County, Inc.

  • Presentation Topics: 
    • Early childhood education landscape in Wayne County
    • Kindergarten readiness and early literacy metrics
    • Access, affordability, and workforce challenges in childcare
    • Impact of early education on long-term educational and workforce outcomes

* Closing & Next Steps

Speakers: Mr. Todd Walker, Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, President

  • Presentation Topics: 
    • Summary of Key Themes and Commitments
    • Outline of Next Steps
    • Closing Remarks and Call to Action
    • What is one bold idea that Wayne County can grab to grow this forward?



Time

8:00 am - 12:00 noon

Pricing

No charge to attend — registration is required.

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Contact Information

Wayne County Chamber of Commerce
Name: Kaycee Denny
Email: kayceed@waynecountychamber.com
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