COLUMBUS— The Town of Columbus is welcoming a new team member this summer through a statewide program designed to bring fresh talent into local government.
Isa Gandy, a graduate of Western Carolina University, has been selected as Columbus’ 2026–27 Lead for North Carolina Fellow. Gandy will spend the next year working with the town on projects focused on improving internal processes, increasing capacity for core services, and expanding community outreach.
Lead for North Carolina, a program of the UNC School of Government, places recent college graduates in paid, full-time fellowships with local governments and community organizations across the state. The program aims to strengthen local governments while encouraging a new generation of leaders to pursue careers in public service.