Statesville, NC – March 28, 2025 – The Iredell Ready Workforce Forum, presented by Burroughs Welcome Fund and the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center brought together key community leaders, elected leaders, educators, and industry representatives to discuss the progress and future goals of educational attainment in Iredell County. The event featured notable speakers, including Jenn Bosser, President & CEO of the Iredell Economic Development Corporation, Senemeht Olatunji, Regional Impact Manager, and Gina Zhang, Director of Strategic Initiatives, of myFutureNC, and keynote speaker Dr. Bill Daggett, founder of Successful Practices Network and a nationally recognized speaker and expert on education.

Here are links to the presentations:

Iredell Ready Presentation – Jenn Bosser, President & CEO, Iredell EDC
Iredell Ready is an initiative that launched in 2021 with education and workforce partners to strengthen our workforce pipeline and Build Pathways to Better Futures in Iredell County.

myFutureNC State of Educational Attainment – Senemeht Olatunji, Regional Impact Manager, and Gina Zhang, Director of Strategic Initiatives 
myFutureNC is working across the state with all 100 counties to support the state’s goal to have 2 million North Carolinians aged 25-44 hold an industry-valued credential or postsecondary degree by 2030. Our myFutureNC speakers will provide an in-depth look at the state of educational attainment in Iredell County and across North Carolina. This presentation will explore key data trends, workforce alignment, and local efforts to close attainment gaps. Learn about strategies to increase postsecondary attainment, improve workforce readiness, and strengthen economic opportunities in our communities. Whether you’re an educator, policymaker, employer, or community leader, this discussion will provide valuable insights on how we can collectively drive progress toward North Carolina’s statewide attainment goal.

The Future of Artificial Intelligence and Its Implications for Education – Dr. Bill Daggett
Artificial Intelligence—from classroom teacher to Principal to Superintendent—can pose as an unwanted challenge OR it can be an ally that relieves you of some of the tasks and responsibilities that consume your time and energy. Dr. Daggett will offer strategies that will allow you to employ AI as your co-pilot, freeing you from many of your time-consuming tasks and allowing you to focus your attention on other important matters. AI does require careful oversight, however, and Dr. Daggett will describe ways to use it responsibly and with caution. Dr. Daggett will then describe how AI will increasingly impact the workplace, home and society, which will cause a major shift in the skills, knowledge and attributes students will need to be successful in the world beyond school.