A Top Educational Leadership Preparation Program in U.S.*
*Out of over 774 principal preparation programs nationally, NC State is one of only 8 programs to ever earn the distinction of being named "Exemplary" by UCEA.
Learn about our graduates' impact
How We’re Preparing Exceptional Principals
NELA was one of two Principal Preparation Programs Featured for its Innovative Program in a Recent Publication by the Hunt Institute.
NC State University’s Educational Leadership Academy (NELA) seeks to increase student achievement by preparing and retaining principals in high-poverty, hard-to-staff, and historically low-performing schools. NELA creates a comprehensive leadership development and succession plan for NC high-need school districts. Each component is anchored in research-based best practices in leadership preparation and is designed to meet the specific contextualized needs of schools in North Carolina. Our current cohorts are fully funded by the North Carolina Principal Fellows Program (NCPFP).
Our Updates
More StoriesDr. Laura Wilson (NELA Cohort VI) serves as the Franklin County Early College HS Principal. She believes culture is the school’s greatest strength, as proven by the Class of 2026: all students earned a diploma, an associate degree, and a 4-year college acceptance.
Lisa Bartels (The Howlers 2028) is passionate about dual-language (DIL) immersion programs and seeks to successfully lead a DIL school.
Matt Bristow-Smith (NELA Cohort III) and NC Principal of the Year (2019) founded Edgecombe Early College’s Scholar Teachers Program, which prepares high school students to become teachers. Four scholars attended LIFT at NC State.
89% of schools with a NELA graduate serving as principal met or exceeded growth between 2018 – 2024 vs. only 74% of principals across all schools in the state reaching the same level of performance.
