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Cohort 7

Jurisdiction: Town of Murphy

University: UNC Chapel Hill

Hometown: Wake Forest, NC

Maria Jose Cuenca earned her degrees in Political Science and Global Studies from UNC-Chapel Hill, concentrating on international Latin American politics and minoring in Urban Studies. She recently returned from serving in the Peace Corps in Peru, where she focused on youth leadership, civic engagement, and gender equity alongside local families and leaders. At Carolina, she served as Vice President of UNC Por Colombia, drawing on her Colombian American identity to foster cultural connection and community involvement. Maria Jose has also interned with international NGOs such as Counterpart International and We-Empower, contributing to global development and partnership strategies. As a Lead for NC Fellow, she’s eager to build on her public service journey and collaborate closely with the people of Murphy.

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…

August 21, 2026

Morehead City Welcomes Lead for North Carolina Fellow as Statewide Program Launches Its Eighth CohortThis July, the eighth cohort of Lead for North Carolina Fellows arrived at the University of…

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