James B. Hunt
Trustee, Carnegie Corporation of New York

James B. Hunt, Jr., a four-term governor of North Carolina and nationally recognized educational leader, was elected to Carnegie Corporation of New York’s board of trustees in October 2000. During his tenure as governor (1977-85, 1993-2001), Hunt focused on supporting early childhood development, raising standards in public schools, and improving the quality of teaching. His many accomplishments in these areas richly inform and complement key priorities of the Corporation.

First elected in 1977, Hunt led his state’s education reform efforts with a number of ground-breaking initiatives—among them Smart Start, a county-based program that is funded by the state in partnership with private corporations and individuals that provides quality child care and health care to families in need. Smart Start received the prestigious Innovations in Government Award from the Ford Foundation and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Hunt also developed the primary reading program, reduced class size, created dropout prevention programs, and dramatically increased teacher pay.

In the 1980’s Governor Hunt worked with the Corporation in the establishment of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. There are now over 100,000 National Board Certified (NBC) teachers in America.

As chair of the National Education Goals Panel, which monitors “Goals 2000," an achievement plan created by the nation’s governors, Hunt has worked vigorously to insure high standards in public schools. He continues work on high and rigorous educational standards through his leadership of the Hunt Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

In the area of technology, Hunt established the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, the Microelectronics Center of North Carolina, and the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. North Carolina has gained economically from these efforts, regularly leading the nation in new job creation per capita and in foreign investment.

He has received numerous awards for his achievements in education, including the Education Commission of the States “James B. Conant Award,” the Harold W. McGraw, Jr., Prize in Education, the Columbia University Teachers College Medal for Distinguished Service, and the National Education Association “Friend of Education Award.”

The son of a school teacher, James Hunt holds B.A. and MS. degrees from North Carolina State University and a J.D. degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.