Lumbee Tribal Council Speaker Alex Baker Selected for North Carolina Hunt State Policy Fellows Program
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 30, 2026
Contact: Tasha Oxendine, Lumbee Tribe Public Relations Manager, taoxendine@lumbeetribe.com | 910.522.5185
Lumbee Tribal Council Speaker Alex Baker Selected for North Carolina Hunt State Policy Fellows Program
Pembroke, NC - The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is proud to announce that Alex Baker, Lumbee Tribal Council Speaker (Tribal District 13 Representative), has been selected to join the sixth cohort of the North Carolina Hunt State Policy Fellows, a bipartisan program of The Hunt Institute that brings together local elected officials from across the state to engage in productive dialogue on pressing issues in education policy.
Through this program, Fellows will convene for a series of sessions designed to deepen their understanding of critical education topics, including early childhood education, K–12 systems, postsecondary attainment, and workforce development. They will engage with resource experts, state agency leaders, legislators, and educators, working across party lines to identify strategies that improve student outcomes and strengthen education systems.
“Education is a cornerstone for our Lumbee People. I know firsthand how the investment in education can empower a community,” said Baker. “I am honored to join fellow leaders from across North Carolina to explore solutions that help students succeed and strengthen opportunities for families in our tribal territory.”
The North Carolina Hunt State Policy Fellows program builds on the success of the inaugural cohort and is part of The Hunt Institute’s broader Hunt State Policy Fellows initiative, which has convened leaders from both sides of the aisle across multiple states. By engaging a sixth cohort in North Carolina, The Hunt Institute continues its commitment to equipping policymakers with the knowledge, tools, and networks necessary to inspire meaningful change.
Throughout the program, Fellows will participate in interactive discussions, professional perspective sessions with education leaders and students, and peer-to-peer exchanges that foster collaboration and innovation. The Fellowship is designed to provide practical tools and insights that participants can apply in their communities to strengthen education policy and outcomes.
“As we celebrate Governor Jim Hunt’s legacy and The Hunt Institute’s 25th anniversary, we remain committed to bringing together policymakers to advance education policy from cradle to career,” said Dr. Javaid Siddiqi, President & CEO of The Hunt Institute. “Now more than ever, students of all ages need local leaders who understand that strong communities begin with strong education systems and opportunities. I am excited to welcome this sixth cohort of North Carolina Hunt State Policy Fellows and look forward to the lasting impact they will make for communities across the state.”
About The Hunt Institute
The Hunt Institute, an affiliate of the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy, is a recognized leader in the movement to transform public education. Marshaling expertise from a nationwide partner network since its establishment in 2001, The Institute brings together people and resources that help build and nurture visionary leadership and mobilize strategic action for greater educational outcomes and student success. For more information, please visit: www.hunt-institute.org
