Robeson Community College’s director of Grants and Sponsored Programs, Lisa O. Hunt, has been accepted into the 20th Class of the Leadership North Carolina program. For two to three days each month from October through May she will attend classes covering a variety of issues that currently affect our state.
According to the website, “The mission of Leadership North Carolina is to inform, develop and engage committed leaders by broadening their understanding of and involvement in issues and opportunities facing our state.” Issues addressed are environment, health and human services, education, government and economic development.
Each year approximately 50 leaders from all walks of life across the state are selected to participate in the program. According to the same website, “special effort is made to ensure diversity among class members. Characteristics of a successful applicant include: commitment, motivation and interest in serving the state; demonstrated voluntary leadership in community affairs; desire and willingness to seek key volunteer and/or appointed leadership roles; an occupational commitment to remain in the state; and long-term commitment to playing a personal role in helping to shape North Carolina’s future.”
While Hunt is the first person from Robeson Community College to participate in the program, she is not the first from the county. County Commissioner Raymond Cummings was a past participant and The University of North Carolina at Pembroke’s Cammie Hunt is in the current class.
Hunt, who grew up in Pembroke and lives in Lumberton with her husband and daughter, is excited about the opportunity. Completing the the application process took her two weeks and was “pretty intense.”
Hunt’s interest in Leadership North Carolina was sparked by her participation in the Lumberton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership program a few years ago. According to Hunt, the format and aims of the two programs are similar. Of the Lumberton Chamber program, Hunt says, “I’ve lived here all my life, but there were certain things I didn’t have a clue about, such as the numerous volunteer opportunities available locally.”
As to what she hopes to gain from participating in the program, Hunt says, “I hope to serve on local, regional and state boards to give back to the the state that has given me so much. That’s what leadership is about, to help improve the lives of others.”
Hunt has made a career out of helping improve the lives of others. She worked at UNCP for five years before coming to RCC six years ago. Of her role as Director of Grants and Sponsored Programs, Ms. Hunt says, “That’s what I like about grants, the opportunity to impact the lives of so many people. Life is about finding your passion and becoming part of a movement or an organization that can bring good to folks lives and the community.”
Leadership North Carolina is an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation whose funding comes through corporate and foundation partnerships, the generosity of board members and advisors, personal gifts from alumni and friends and tuition paid by class members and/or their employers. To learn more about Leadership North Carolina visit www.leadershipnc.org.
Dennis Watts is the Public Information Officer at Robeson Community College. If you have questions about RCC or suggestions for future articles, he can be reached dwatts@robeson.edu.
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