Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society Student Leadership Development Fund Recognized at July State Board Meeting
Published: July 17, 2026
RALEIGH, N.C. – The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society, the North Carolina Community College System Office, and the North Carolina Community Colleges Foundation formally highlighted the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society Student Leadership Fund during the State Board of Community Colleges’ July meeting, celebrating the continued growth of a fund launched in Spring 2026 in order to both support and recognize exceptional student leaders across North Carolina’s community colleges.
The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is one of North Carolina’s highest civilian honors, bestowed by the Governor to recognize individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the state and their communities. Recently, former System Office President Jeff Cox received this honor at the end of his tenure as System President.
What is less widely known is that the hundreds of individuals who have received this honor are also part of a voluntary network known as the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society. For the first time in the Society’s history, its members have chosen to focus their collective philanthropic efforts on a single cause: investing in the next generation of leaders through North Carolina’s community college students.
The award was established as part of a broader investment in the North Carolina Community College System Student Leadership Development Program (SLDP). The SLDP Program brings together student leaders from across the state for a year-long leadership development experience, including an immersive Summer Retreat at Camp Caraway, followed by ongoing mentorship, cohort engagement, and applied leadership learning throughout the academic year.
This initiative reflects a shared commitment among members of the State Board of Community Colleges, the North Carolina Community Colleges Foundation, and the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society to intentionally cultivate leadership development opportunities for students across the state’s 58 community colleges.
The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society Student Leadership Award recognizes a community college student who demonstrates ethical leadership, integrity, a strong commitment to community and service, and a positive influence among their peers. In addition to annually recognizing one outstanding student leader, contributions to the fund also support the continued growth and sustainability of the Student Leadership Development Program, ensuring more students have access to transformational leadership experiences.
“This program is the intentional cultivation of community college leaders who are already making an impact on their campuses and in their communities,” said Bill McBrayer, member of the State Board of Community Colleges. “This initiative ensures those students are recognized, supported, and connected to opportunities that will help them grow as leaders throughout their lives.”
The current cohort includes 37 student leaders representing 25 community colleges across North Carolina. Members of the 2026 cohort recently completed the Summer Leadership Institute at Camp Caraway, a week-long experience that brought together students from diverse backgrounds and communities for intensive leadership development, collaboration, and personal growth.
Phil Fisher, Founder of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society, emphasized the significance of the Society’s commitment to student leadership development. “The values represented by the Order of the Long Leaf Pine – service, integrity, and leadership – are the same values we see reflected in the students participating in the Student Leadership Development Program,” Fisher said. “For our members, supporting this initiative was a natural extension of that legacy. Community college students represent a clear pipeline of emerging leaders, and this investment reflects a belief in their potential to serve and lead across North Carolina for years to come.”
The North Carolina Community Colleges Foundation and the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society intend to grow the fund over time, ensuring long-term sustainability for student leadership development opportunities and expanding access for future cohorts. The Society’s support represents a cornerstone investment in this effort, and leaders hope it will inspire other organizations and affinity groups to follow their example in investing in student leadership development.
Individuals interested in contributing to the program may access a direct link to support the fund here.
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About the North Carolina Community Colleges Foundation
The North Carolina Community College System (NC Community Colleges or System) is the engine for workforce development in North Carolina and the only public entity dedicated to providing affordable college access to anyone in the state. The System is governed by the NC State Board of Community Colleges with administration from the NC Community College System Office, and support from the NC Community Colleges Foundation, and is powered by the 58 community colleges and their respective foundations. Together, the System serves 600,000 students and awards more than 60,000 degrees, diplomas, and certificates annually. For more information, visit https://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/
About the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society
The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society is dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy, history, and values associated with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of North Carolina’s highest civilian honors. Through education, engagement, and philanthropy, the Society seeks to inspire service, leadership, and civic pride across North Carolina.