A Personal Announcement from Student U’s Executive Director

Dear Friend of Student U,

I am writing to share some personal news with you all. After much reflection, I have made the decision to retire early, and my last day as Executive Director of Student U will be October 31, 2024. While this is a bittersweet moment for me, I am filled with gratitude as I look back on all that we’ve accomplished together over the past two years.

Serving as Executive Director has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. I’ve witnessed firsthand the love, support, and commitment that this community brings to Student U and our mission. It has been truly inspiring to see neighbors, families, businesses, organizations, and local leaders come together to create a better future for the young people of Durham. Your generosity, dedication, and belief in our students have sustained us through every challenge and allowed us to celebrate many successes.

With your unwavering support, we’ve achieved some incredible milestones that I’m deeply proud of. These include completing a strategic growth plan, integrating the Community Schools Model into our work, and strengthening relationships with key partners—all while maintaining our commitment to delivering life-changing programs for our students. These accomplishments were made possible because of your belief in our mission, and for that, I am sincerely grateful.

Looking to the future, I am excited for Student U’s continued growth, especially with the expansion of our community at The W.G. Pearson Center and our work in sharing best practices and building community schools. I am confident that Student U will continue to thrive under the leadership of Elena Maina, our Chief Program Officer, who will step into the role of Interim Executive Director. Elena has been instrumental in shaping our programs and is deeply committed to our mission. I ask you to join me in supporting her during this transition.

While I am stepping away from my role, I will remain a dedicated advocate for Student U, and I hope you will continue to stand by our side as we move forward. Your belief in our mission is what makes everything we do possible, and as we enter this new chapter, your ongoing support will be more important than ever. Together, we can continue to create a brighter future for Durham’s children. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey with me. I look forward to seeing what we accomplish next, together.

With deepest gratitude,

Michelle Price
Executive Director, Student U

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