Emily Ragland joined NCSSM in January 2025 as Special Assistant, Division of External Relations. Emily is a career-long family and child advocate focused on bringing resources to families around the power of community, engagement, and lifelong learning. She has built her career with the goal to be an active member of policy and procedures that are inclusive of all and built on a foundation of diversity and equity. She enjoys working with teams looking to solve problems that arise in the day to day as well as the bigger picture, impacting communities throughout North Carolina, and nationwide. She believes that there is a place for all voices at the table and is actively doing her best to open up those modes of communication for all. Emily uses her leadership skills and expertise in parent engagement and community resource sharing to further the mission of NCSSM and the External Relations team. She has a son who loves anything with wheels, especially emergency vehicles, and a husband who she has known since college and who teaches at Chapel Hill High and coaches multiple sports.

BA, Philosophy; Minor in African American History, Guilford College
Graduate Certificate, Family Life Education & Coaching, North Carolina State University
MS, Youth, Family and Community Sciences, North Carolina State University

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