To honor western North Carolina graduates’ achievements and resiliency in the wake of Hurricane Helene, Governor Josh Stein will deliver remarks at the commencement ceremonies of Appalachian State University, Western Carolina University, and Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College on May 9 and 10. Governor Stein will applaud the graduates who have overcome tremendous adversity and encourage them to continue pursuing their dreams.
Press Releases
Today Governor Josh Stein joined the Smart Start Conference in Greensboro to highlight his priorities for child care and early education. Governor Stein also urged North Carolina’s federal delegation to oppose efforts to eliminate the Head Start program. “Programs like Smart Start help North Carolina’s children live up to their full potential,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Federal proposals to eliminate the Head Start program are wrongheaded. Investing in our kids is investing in our future – and I'll take that return every time.”
Today at Moore Square Magnet Middle School, Governor Josh Stein announced his Advisory Council on Student Safety and Well-Being, co-chaired by Senate Democratic Leader Sydney Batch, Deputy Secretary William "Billy" Lassiter of the Department of Public Safety, and 2024 North Carolina Teacher of the Year Heather Smith.
Today, Governor Josh Stein visited Ferguson-Easley Elementary School in Fayetteville to speak with educators and administrators. He also highlighted his 2025-2027 budget proposal, which invests in North Carolina’s students, teachers, and public schools. “North Carolina’s children are our most important investment, and our state’s budget must reflect our commitment to them,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Our teachers must be well-paid, our schools well-built, and our students’ well-being put first.”
On Monday, Governor Josh Stein announced the new North Carolina Task Force on Child Care and Early Education. The task force seeks to identify solutions to expand access to affordable, high-quality child care and early education across North Carolina and to support and grow the child care workforce.
Today, Governor Josh Stein visited Kate’s Korner, a Durham child care center, to announce a new Task Force for Child Care and Early Education and highlight the need to invest in North Carolina families. Co-Chaired by Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt and Senator Jim Burgin, the group is tasked with identifying solutions to expand access to affordable, high quality child care across North Carolina and support the child care workforce.
Governor Josh Stein has proclaimed March 2025 as Students@Work℠ Month in North Carolina. Throughout the month, businesses across the state will welcome more than 25,000 students to learn first-hand about jobs and industries in local communities across North Carolina. “Our students are our future: the future of our workforce and the future of our state,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I am pleased to honor Students@Work℠ for their 15 years of efforts to connect schools to employers and help students discover their talents and passions.”
Today, Governor and First Lady Stein visited elementary schools to celebrate Read Across America Week. First Lady Anna Stein read If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff at Brunson Elementary in Winston-Salem, which she attended. Meanwhile, Governor Stein visited Belville Elementary School in Brunswick County to celebrate National Read Across America Week and proclaim March as Reading Month in North Carolina.
Today, Governor Josh Stein and the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) announced that ten teachers across the state would be awarded the Governor’s Educator Discovery Award. “Our students benefit when their teachers prioritize their own continued education,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I am proud to award these professional development grants to teachers who are striving for excellence, and I am excited to hear how they leverage this additional education in the classroom.”
Today, Governor Josh Stein and Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt joined students and administrators at Wake Technical Community College to issue a proclamation designating February as Career and Technical Education month. Governor Stein also toured the auto tech labs at Wake Tech and spoke to school administrators, apprenticeship students, and business leaders to discuss issues facing North Carolina’s workforce.