The Land of Sky P20 Council is proud to recognize Devon McCarthy-James as the recipient of the P20 Partnership Award, presented by Emily Nicholson, Executive Director of the P20 Council, in appreciation of Devon’s exceptional leadership and partnership across Western North Carolina.
Devon serves as Associate Outreach Director with College Foundation for North Carolina (CFNC) and has had a profound impact on college access, career exploration, and workforce readiness efforts throughout a 13-county region. Her work supports educators, youth-serving organizations, community partners, and families as they navigate the increasingly complex journey toward postsecondary education and credential attainment.
CFNC is a vital statewide collaboration rooted in the NC State Education Assistance Authority, Pathways, and College Foundation Inc. It provides free, high-quality resources to help North Carolinians plan, apply, and pay for college. Within this network, Devon’s leadership stands out as both strategic and deeply community-centered. She develops and leads regional trainings, convenings, and professional development opportunities that equip K–12 and community-based educators with research-informed, best-practice college-going strategies. She also presents widely across the region to build awareness about the value of postsecondary attainment in strengthening our workforce pipeline.
A hallmark of Devon’s approach is her use of data to drive action. By analyzing indicators such as college applications, FAFSA completion, and Residency Determination Service data, she identifies underserved areas and implements targeted outreach to close opportunity gaps. Her impact this year alone included supporting 5,170 high school seniors across 13 districts: Cherokee, Graham, Clay, Macon, Swain, Jackson, Haywood, Madison, Buncombe, Transylvania, Henderson, Polk, and Rutherford counties.
Through college application events, financial aid nights, community fairs, kindergarten readiness programs, future pathways events, and creative outreach such as employee wellness days and back-to-school bashes, Devon helped these communities secure $5,778,000 in Pell Grant funding for the Class of 2025. This investment represents a life-changing opportunity for students and a powerful boost to the region’s long-term economic mobility.
Devon’s partnership with the Land of Sky P20 Council has been especially impactful. Her collaboration has strengthened regional efforts to close the credential attainment gap and better align education with workforce needs. Together, CFNC and P20 have launched innovative, first-of-their-kind initiatives, including a FAFSA Sweepstakes with A-B Tech, that have significantly increased student engagement and financial aid completion.
In every aspect of her work, Devon embodies excellence, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to expanding opportunity. Her leadership does not just support Western North Carolina. It elevates it. The P20 Council is honored to celebrate her as a true partner in building a stronger future for our region.
While Devon McCarthy-James’ leadership and collaboration exemplify the spirit of the P20 Partnership Award, she is part of a broader network of partners whose work continues to move Western North Carolina forward.
The P20 Council would also like to congratulate Blue Ridge Community College, Henderson County Schools, and A-B Tech Community College for their ongoing commitment to aligning education with workforce needs and expanding opportunity for learners of all ages. These institutions have demonstrated outstanding collaboration in strengthening career pathways, supporting students through transitions, and building a more resilient regional talent pipeline.
We also celebrate Drew Pollick of WNCHRA, whose organization Craft HR was honored for its leadership in connecting employers, human resources professionals, and workforce partners across the region. Their work plays a vital role in helping businesses adapt, grow, and invest in the people who power our local economy.
Each of these partners reflects what is possible when education, workforce, and community leaders work together with shared purpose. The P20 Council is grateful for their leadership and proud to stand alongside them in building a stronger future for Western North Carolina.
