Anita R. Brown-Graham, the director of the Institute for Emerging Issues at NCSU, is resigning at the end of June.

Brown-Graham disclosed her decision in a tweet and in a newsletter posted at the Institute.

“After working with so many of you, a fabulous team of colleagues, and an inspiring National Advisory Board for nearly 10 years, my decision to leave was an extremely difficult one. But it is time for me to step up to a new professional chapter that offers more responsibility and reach, and I have been offered a remarkable opportunity to do so at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Government,” she wrote.

Brown-Graham has worked at the Institute since 2007.

Her letter follows:

Transitions at the Institute for Emerging Issues

June 16 2016

Dear Friends,

It is with mixed emotions that I share the news of my decision to step down from my role as director for the Institute for Emerging Issues at NC State University. After working with so many of you, a fabulous team of colleagues, and an inspiring National Advisory Board for nearly 10 years, my decision to leave was an extremely difficult one. But it is time for me to step up to a new professional chapter that offers more responsibility and reach, and I have been offered a remarkable opportunity to do so at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Government.

I am leaving IEI at a time when we are doing great work, and my colleagues are excited to continue those high-impact initiatives. This summer we are hyperfocused on strengthening talent development systems in North Carolina’s eight Prosperity Zone regions through our FutureWork Prosperity Tour; convening thousands of youth (in small groups) as they plan for future careers in Summer in the Commons; and, connecting with tens of thousands of others as they consider data on new high-demand skills critical to be FutureWork-Ready.

My final day as director is June 30, 2016; however, I will camp out in a cubicle at IEI through August. This time frame allows me to support our interim director in the transition, and also derive great delight in the adventure of working with North Carolina’s next generation of workers and leaders in this summer’s youth engagement programs. After August, I will remain a partner in IEI’s InnovateNC initiative until it ends in 2017, and will be back on campus to teach my class in the College of Design next spring

You would likely worry if you received any email from me that was all news with no ask of you. I won’t disappoint. One final ask: Please help IEI make a difference in a young person’s life this summer by helping participants become FutureWork-ready through our youth engagement programs. The goal is to reach 20,000—with a donation of $20.16, you take us one step closer to the goal.
Thanks for your support now and always.

IEI will need you in the coming years as the good work reaches even higher heights. Our new director will bring fresh vision while inheriting a superbly-talented and caring team that is passionate about the mission, along with the best set of partners and supporters ever!
I am indebted to you all. I have learned from, and am so grateful to, my predecessor directors, former and current staff, board members, colleagues at NC State, partner organizations, leaders in business, higher education and policy in our state, and thousands of young and young at heart. North Carolina is blessed to have you and IEI.

Warmly,
Anita