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Cohort 5

Jurisdiction: Bladen County

University: Appalachian State

Hometown: Reidsville, NC

Payton Blaney is serving her fellowship in Bladen County. She graduated summa cum laude from Appalachian State University with bachelor’s degrees in German language, literature, and culture, and in political science with a focus in international and comparative politics. Blaney was also a Fulbright recipient for an English Teaching Assistantship to Germany.

March 2, 2026

Hyde County is launching a Citizens Academy, a free educational program designed by local governments to teach citizens how their local government operates. The academy has three main goals: to…

January 15, 2026

Maria Cuenca-Romero is driven by a genuine desire to give back, turning her passion for public service into meaningful change for the communities she serves. After attaining a bachelor’s degree…

September 22, 2025

In Clayton, numbers show how resources support services and meet residents’ needs. Each figure in the budget provides insight into how departments operate and how programs are funded, creating a…

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