March 4, 2016 at 8:30AM - Fayetteville State University

CHAPEL HILL, NC -- Margaret Spellings, President of the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, TX, and former U.S. Secretary of Education, was today (October 23) elected president of the 17-campus University of North Carolina during a special meeting of the UNC Board of Governors.

CHAPEL HILL, NC – Margaret Spellings, President of the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, TX, and former U.S. Secretary of Education, was today (October 23) elected president of the 17-campus University of North Carolina during a special meeting of the UNC Board of Governors.

Shannon Vickery sits down with new University of North Carolina President Margaret Spellings for an extended interview. President Spellings talks about her new role, her aspirations for the University, and the goals she will set for her tenure as the leader of the 17-campus system.

Heather Burgiss talks with Former Governor Jim Hunt about his role in establishing the Emerging Issues Forum as the event celebrates its 30th anniversary. Gov. Hunt served as chairman of the forum for 29 years & talks about how the it has evolved & how he sees the forum's role in developing North Carolina's future. The theme of this years Emerging Issues Forum was "Innovation Reconstructed."

Leading with courage, fairness and grace. That is the motto of the William C. Friday Fellowship for Human Relations, an innovative organization named after former University of North Carolina President William Friday. And it can just as well be the description of Friday Fellow Dr. Sharon Elliott-Bynum. Kelley McHenry has her inspiring story.

Leading with courage, fairness and grace. That is the motto of the William C. Friday Fellowship for Human Relations, an innovative organization named after former University of North Carolina President William Friday. And it can just as well be the description of Friday Fellow Dr. Sharon Elliott-Bynum. Kelley McHenry has her inspiring story.

A renewed online program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is working to make it easier and more flexible for active duty and reserve military members to get college credit and work towards the completion of a bachelors degree within the UNC-System. Heather Burgiss has more.

Job growth - and the innovation and infrastructure that fuels it - were a central part of the discussion at the 30th annual Emerging Issues Forum earlier this spring. Heather Burgiss caught up with Jack Cecil - Chair of the Institute for Emerging Issues' National Advisory Board - to learn more about the Forum and its role in the larger conversation.

Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Executive Director of The Nonwovens Institute based at North Carolina State University's College of Textiles, is a 2015 recipient of the UNC Board of Governors O. Max Gardner Award. He received the recognition for his work in nonwoven materials, creating products used in items such as HVAC systems, auto air filters, and water filters.

According to the American Cancer Society, in 2015, there will be an estimated 1.6 million new cancer cases diagnosed in the U.S. On Friday the UNC Board of Governors recognized UNC Charlotte Professor Pinku Mukherjee for her ground-breaking research in cancer detection. She is one of the two recipients honored with this year's O. Max Gardner Award.

Thought leaders on business innovation say how well communities adapt to the changing dynamics of our times could be a barometer of how well they thrive economically in future. Heather Burgiss recently spoke to Jeanne Milliken Bonds at the 30th Annual Emerging Issues Forum in Raleigh for her take on how communities can reconstruct innovation.

Industry leaders say you'll find many NC businesses working hard to keep on trend with the latest developments in innovation. As part of our series of interviews for the 30th Annual Emerging Issues Forum, Heather Burgiss recently spoke with Duke Chang, Vice President of Product Development at Fidelity Investment Labs, about his thoughts on market innovation in the current business climate.

Imagine finding out your unborn child has a condition that needs to be operated on while still in the womb. One NC family experienced this first hand. One of the most promising treatments for spina bifida, a congenital birth defect, is fetal surgery. Kelley McHenry introduces us to a Fuquay-Varina family and their compelling story.

When it comes to innovation in our state, studies show North Carolina is lagging a bit behind some states at creating new and innovative ventures to grow business and economy, but leaders, like U-S Congressman David Price say the momentum is building to spark more innovation. Heather Burgiss caught up with him at the 30th Annual Emerging Issues Forum.

Access to healthy foods can be a problem for many communities in our state. One Charlotte woman has made it her life's work to point people towards growing and eating healthier foods especially in urban areas. From the 30th Annual Emerging Issues Forum Heather Burgiss introduces us to Robin Emmons, founder and Executive Director of Sow Much Good.

How much does the building or space you work in make a difference for fostering innovation? Heather Burgiss recently spoke with Robin Cape from Asheville's Climate Collider at the 2015 Emerging Issues Forum. The Collider was entered in the Spaces for Innovation Challenge sponsored by the Institute for Emerging Issues

When we speak of innovation thought leaders say the role of technology plays center stage to transform ideas in our digital, connected, and hyper-collaborative world. So says Don Tapscott, he is the author of 14 books about technology, including "The Digital Economy." Heather Burgiss recently caught up with Mr. Tapscott at the 30th annual Emerging Issues Forum.

On February 9th and 10th, leaders from across the state will convene in downtown Raleigh to address - AND discuss innovative solutions - to some of the most pressing issues facing North Carolinians. We sat down with Anita Brown Graham to find out more.

The 30th annual Emerging Issues Forum is set to take place next week at the Raleigh Convention. The focus of this year's meeting - Innovation Reconstructed - will be discussed by state and national leaders over the course of two days. To find out more about the Forum, its history & its future, we sat down with the director of the Institute that is heading up the effort.

Over the past decade growing a small business has been difficult for many in a troubled economy, but one North Carolina business owner has flourished with an innovative business model and drive. Heather Burgiss introduces us to NC State alum Sepi Saidi, owner of Sepi Engineering, as she shares her ideas on innovation at the 30th annual Emerging Issues Forum.

Federal Reserve Bank of VA President Jeffrey Lacker talks about Education, Innovation, & Economic Growth at the 2015 Emerging Issues Forum.

The NC School of Science & Mathematics was named the winner of the NC Spaces for Innovation Challenge, sponsored by the Institute for Emerging Issues. 23 organizations & individuals entered the competition. NCSSM was recognized for its far-reaching impact & for fueling innovation both on & off campus. Heather Burgiss talked with NCSSM chancellor Todd Roberts at the Emerging Issues Forum.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill remembers Coach Dean Smith and celebrates his life with a public memorial service at the Dean E. Smith Center. This event will be carried live on UNC-TV and other statewide media outlets via satellite. The program will feature remarks from several of Coach Smith’s former players, close friends and coaching colleagues.