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 completing an intensive summer training program, Cohort Eight Fellows began a year of paid, full-time service in city halls, county offices, and community organizations across the state in August.

Lead for North Carolina (Lead for NC) is a program of the UNC School of Government. The program recruits, trains and places promising recent college graduates in paid local government fellowships to strengthen public institutions, support local communities and cultivate a new generation of public service leaders.

Ashton Locklear, a graduate of The University of North Carolina at Pembroke and The University of North Carolina at Wilmington, has been placed with The Lumbee Tribe for the 2026–27 fellowship year, where she will work on strengthening the organizational capacity and expanding access to information and resources for tribal leadership, staff members and community partners. Her work will include developing an internal and external communications plan, organizing tribal policies & procedures and assisting with developing a tribal strategic plan. She will also create a comprehensive directory of resource partners for use by the tribe and its members, as well as a tourism resource guide highlighting tribal properties and other culturally significant destinations.

Locklear, from Pembroke, NC, says it has always been her passion to work in government. 

“I find it exciting, which is why I pursued both a bachelor's in political science and a master's in public administration,” said Locklear in a press release. “It’s such an honor to bring my education and passion for public service to my Lumbee people as a lead for NC Fellow. I look forward to learning, serving and helping make a meaningful impact to my community. I’m so excited.”

Lead for NC was built on a simple premise: talented young people are uniquely positioned to help North Carolina’s cities and counties navigate some of the most demanding challenges in a generation.

“Local governments are where the work of democracy actually gets done; clean water, safe streets, thriving downtowns — and they need talent now more than ever,” said Executive Director of Lead for North Carolina Dylan Russell in a press release. “What our Fellows bring is real: fresh skills, new energy, and a genuine commitment to the community. Eight years in, we’ve seen over and over that when you connect a capable young person to a community that needs them, both are transformed.”

Director of Governmental Affairs for the Lumbee Tribe Tammy Maynor said the tribal government is honored to partner with the UNC School of Government at Chapel Hill and especially proud to welcome Locklear as a fellow serving with the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.

“The fellowship is an exciting opportunity to strengthen the Tribe’s governmental capacity while investing in the development of emerging leaders who are committed to serving our people,” said Maynor in a press release. “Ashton will have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects that support tribal governance, strategic planning, communications, policy development, and community resources.”