As a Community Schools Coordinator, Kendra supports the school by connecting students and families with resources that remove barriers to learning. She is responsible for setting up the Family Resource Center and implementing needed programming.

Kendra Faries

Community School Coordinator-Washington Street Elementary School

Kendra's Why:

Student U resonates with my belief that every young person deserves access to opportunity, belonging, and the tools to shape their own future. I invest in Student U because its model doesn’t just support students academically—it nurtures whole families, strengthens community leadership, and builds long-term pathways to equity. The organization’s commitment to consistency, relationships, and generational impact aligns with my values of empowerment, collaboration, and justice. Supporting Student U means contributing to a community where students are seen, supported, and positioned to thrive.

Kendra outside of Student U:

I volunteer with NCCPH, a grassroots organization working toward a healthier North Carolina, and I serve as a Guardian ad Litem—both roles that allow me to advocate for equity, dignity, and justice in very real, personal ways. 

Advice Kendra finds valuable:

My Granny always said, “Neighbors help neighbors.”  During the Great Depression it was the only way we could survive. 

Colleges:

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Northern Illinois University

Course of Study:

Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion

Master of Arts in Exercise and Sport Administration

Certificate in Improvement Science and Implementation

Master of Public Health

Other Involvements:

North Carolina Citizens for Public Health

Guardian ad Litem 

Experience:

6 years working in a local health department as a public health educator, working to overcome social determinants of health in a small rural community.  

Start Date:

January 5, 2026

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