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Explore our scholars, signature experiences, and vision for the future.
Luther Hodges Scholars is a program of the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise
Luther Hodges Scholars
A Year of Becoming
Growth rarely happens in a single moment. It unfolds through experiences, reflection, relationships, and purpose. During 2025–2026, Luther Hodges Scholars celebrated its 10th anniversary while deepening its commitment to developing cross-sector business leaders. Through research, leadership, internships, and community, scholars were challenged to learn, contribute, and grow. We invite you to explore the milestones that made this a year of becoming.
Director’s Note
Leadership is a journey of becoming. That belief shaped every milestone of this remarkable year. As we celebrated our 10th anniversary, we strengthened signature experiences, welcomed record interest from prospective scholars, and began imagining the program’s next decade. None of this happens alone. Together with faculty, staff, alumni, partners, and donors, we continue building a developmental community where future business leaders learn to create both economic prosperity and public value.
Onward,
Kim Allen, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Building the Ecosystem
Strengthening Our Signature Experience
The cross-sector internship is where learning becomes practice. Working alongside organizations across business, government, and the nonprofit sector, scholars apply classroom learning to real challenges while developing leadership, research, and cross-sector collaboration. This year, the Cannon Family Charitable Trust expanded access to this transformational experience, strengthening our ability to prepare business leaders committed to creating both economic prosperity and public value.
Looking Toward the Next Decade
As Luther Hodges Scholars entered its second decade, we launched a strategic planning process shaped by students, alumni, faculty, staff, advisers, and partners. Together, we are building on the program’s distinctive strengths while imagining new ways to prepare business leaders for an increasingly interconnected world. The conversations taking place today will strengthen the journeys of scholars for years to come.
The LHS Journey of Becoming
The story of Luther Hodges Scholars is one of continual growth. Inspired by Greg Brown’s vision and strengthened through the enduring legacies of Frank Kenan, Governor Luther H. Hodges Sr., Luther H. Hodges Jr., and the Cannon Family Charitable Trust, the program has continued to evolve. Most importantly, our scholars have shaped this journey, inspiring us to keep learning, growing, and preparing leaders for the future.
Growing Interest
Interest in Luther Hodges Scholars continues to grow. This year, the program received a record 137 applications. More students are seeking an educational experience that combines rigorous business education with leadership, research, cross-sector collaboration, and a commitment to creating both economic prosperity and public value.
Applications By Year
Learning Through Experience
Welcoming the 10th Class of Luther Hodges Scholars
Twenty-two exceptional sophomores joined the 10th class of Luther Hodges Scholars, beginning a two-and-a-half-year journey of learning through coursework, internships, research, reflection, and community. Selected through a highly competitive process, they bring academic excellence, leadership, and a shared commitment to becoming business leaders who create lasting economic prosperity and public value.
Learning Through Research
Research helps scholars ask better questions, evaluate evidence thoughtfully, and address complex challenges. Beginning with the cross-sector internship and continuing through the Persuasion with Data course, scholars develop habits of inquiry that inform effective leadership. This year, six graduating seniors completed honors theses, demonstrating the analytical rigor, curiosity, and interdisciplinary thinking that define evidence-informed decision-making.
Learning Through Practice
This summer, 22 scholars began the Cannon Family Charitable Trust Cross-Sector Internship, applying classroom learning in organizations working across North Carolina and the United States. Through meaningful projects, mentoring, and reflection, they developed leadership while contributing to initiatives involving economic development, policy, healthcare, sustainability, and community impact. These experiences transform learning into practice and strengthen scholars’ capacity to lead across sectors.
Celebrating Scholar Achievement
This year, Luther Hodges Scholars introduced two signature awards celebrating the qualities that define our community. The Research Excellence Award honored Raven Heyward and Chi Vu for outstanding inquiry and scholarship. Tyler Coffee received the Frank Hawkins Kenan Distinguished Scholar Medal for exemplary leadership, mentorship, and service. Together, these awards recognize scholars whose greatest achievements include helping others grow.
2026 Research Excellence Award Winners: Chi Vu (left) and Raven Heyward (right); 2026 Frank Hawkins Kenan Distinguished Scholar Medal Winner: Tyler Coffee
The Graduating Class of 2026
Graduation marks not an ending, but the next step in a lifelong journey of leadership. The Class of 2026 leaves Luther Hodges Scholars with a cross-sector mindset shaped by research, internships, community, and reflection. As graduates begin careers and advanced study, they carry forward the knowledge, relationships, and purpose to create both economic prosperity and public value.
A Community for LiFe
Building Community Beyond Carolina
Our community continues long after graduation. This year, alumni representing every graduating class gathered in New York City to reconnect, strengthen professional relationships, and reflect on leadership across sectors. More than a networking event, the gathering celebrated a lifelong community committed to learning, mentoring, and creating economic and public value wherever alumni live and work.
Learning Doesn’t End at Graduation
Leadership development continues throughout a career. This year, Luther Hodges Scholars launched Postgrad Pointers, a professional development series designed to help alumni navigate new opportunities while remaining connected to one another and the program. Through shared learning and conversation, graduates continue the journey of becoming that began as undergraduate scholars.
Extending the Classroom into the World
Our cross-sector internship partners are more than hosts — they are co-educators. Leaders like Kaseem Ladipo create experiences where scholars learn alongside professionals addressing complex challenges across business, government, and nonprofit organizations. Through partnerships with The KAL Firm and Soccer in the Streets, scholars experience cross-sector leadership in action while contributing to meaningful work that strengthens communities and creates public value.
The Journey Continues
The journey of becoming never ends. As Luther Hodges Scholars begins its second decade, we do so with gratitude for the scholars, alumni, faculty, staff, partners, donors, and friends who make this community possible. Together, we are expanding opportunities for learning, strengthening partnerships, and preparing future business leaders to create both economic prosperity and public value. We invite you to continue the journey with us.
However your journey connects with Luther Hodges Scholars, we’d love to continue it together.
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