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Cohort 4

Jurisdiction: Foothills Regional COG

University: UNC-Asheville

Hometown: Nebo, NC

Katelyn Smith served her fellowship with the Foothills Regional Commission, covering Cleveland, McDowell, Polk, and Rutherford Counties. She accomplished several vital tasks, including the completion of four digital inclusion plans covering all the counties in the region. She also played a key role in preparing a farmland preservation plan for Rutherford County, supporting local producers in their efforts to protect their farmland. Additionally, Smith conducted a regional evaluation of progress for a comprehensive economic development strategy update.

Smith graduated magna cum laude from UNC-Asheville and was a member of Active Students for a Healthy Environment (ASHE). Smith also had the opportunity to intern at the Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina, granting her hands-on experience with nonprofit conservation.

September 6, 2026

 This July, the eighth cohort of Lead for North Carolina Fellows arrived at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to begin their journey into public sector careers. After…

August 24, 2026

This July four Western Carolina University graduates were chosen to serve communities across the state as Lead for North Carolina fellows. Lead for NC is a government fellowship program started…

August 24, 2026

This July, the eighth cohort of Lead for North Carolina Fellows arrived at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to begin their journey into public sector careers. After…

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