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EdNC CEO and Editor-in-Chief Mebane Rash was recently awarded the 2025 Jay Robinson Education Leadership Award by the Public School Forum of North Carolina.
This award is named in honor of the late Dr. Jay Robinson, “one of our state’s most distinguished education leaders,” and the first president of the Public School Forum, according to a press release from the organization. This year, Rash received the award along with business leader Tom Oxholm.
“Both of this year’s honorees were selected for their unwavering commitment to advocating for public school students in North Carolina within their respective fields,” the Forum said. “Rash is the founder, CEO and editor-in-chief of EducationNC (EdNC), which has provided in-depth reporting on education topics relevant to readers in North Carolina since its founding in 2015. Tom Oxholm has long been a proponent of and activator for bridging the business and education communities and has continuously served as a highly active member of education and public school organization and efforts.”
The gala also marked the Public School Forum’s 40th Anniversary Year, the Forum said in its press release, “celebrating local public schools in our state and recognizing leaders and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to public education.”
During the gala, Public School Forum President and Executive Director Dr. Mary Ann Wolf teased that conversations with Oxholm and Rash often create more work, “but it’s the right work for kids.”
“Mebane, thank you for ensuring that the stories and complexities of North Carolina schools, educators, and students are told in conversations, presentations, and informal interactions,” Wolf said. “I am so grateful for your expertise, your ability to connect dots of very complicated ideas, and perhaps most importantly, your questions. You help North Carolina schools, and people, and me do better.”
Prior to Rash’s acceptance speech, Principal of the Year Donna Bledsoe said, “She is a servant leader who prioritizes lifting up others, recognizing and tapping into the strength of others in ways that allow them to expand their reach and maximize their impact.”
Former state Sen. Deanna Ballard said Rash can be tough and firm when she needs to be but that she leads with intention, taking care of both her team and the communities she serves.
Former EdNC team member Rupen Fofaria, now the director of the State Board of Education, introduced Rash at the gala.
Fofaria, who was the equity and learning differences reporter for EdNC from 2018 through October 2023, started at EdNC as a freelance reporter covering how Hurricane Florence was impacting North Carolina communities and schools.
“I introduced myself as an EdNC reporter, and people said, ‘Oh, you’re one of Mebane’s,’” Fofaria said.
“I didn’t know Mebane yet,” he said. “I was about to experience her extraordinary brand of love and leadership, rooted in a life that seems destined to place her at the center of education, media, and public policy in North Carolina.”
Fofaria noted that while EdNC day-to-day operates as a nonprofit news outlet, the most important part of its theory of change is leadership development.
“Your heart is strong and your capacity to love is limitless. You are a bright and incredible light in this role,” he continued. “You show us that leadership isn’t about taking sides, it’s about taking responsibility. It isn’t about being in charge, it’s about empowering others to lead with courage, clarity, compassion.”
During her acceptance speech, Rash passed the mic to other North Carolina leaders.
“Tonight we celebrate the legacy of my superintendent Dr. Jay Robinson. When I was at Irwin Elementary, he was bigger than life to me.
But he would kneel down like this and look students in the eye when he was talking to them and that landed with me.
My role in our collective leadership would not be possible without the support of my boys — Nate, my chosen child, who will graduate from NELA tomorrow and begin his journey as a principal, and my boys, Hutch and Wells, who also are living out their little boy dreams — this one is studying hellbenders and this one is going to be a rock star. I love you all endlessly.
That’s what we want for all of our students, right — the ability to follow their dreams.
And in this job I have been able to follow my dream to share your stories and lift up your leadership to wider and wider audiences.
Let me see a show of hands — how many of you have written articles for EdNC, perspectives for EdNC, been featured or quoted in a story, attended one of our ‘Bridge’ events, been featured on one of videos, or breathed life into this work by investing in us?
This award is yours. Thank you for welcoming us into your lives and trusting us with your stories.
Tonight, hear our leaders.
Joy Vermillion Heinsohn, the executive director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation and a mom, who after the elections urged, ‘As we move forward, I hope we’ll reject the tendency to reduce our fellow North Carolinians to a single story. None of us is just one thing or another – we are each beautifully and richly complex.’
Leshaun Jenkins, a principal and author of Principles of a Principal, who calls on all of us to attend to personal self-care, strong relationships, a positive culture and climate, student efficacy, and professional development – the cornerstones of effective leadership.
But most importantly from our students. Rowan Tait is a student at Watauga High School, and he is an actor in the award-winning play called Surge about the impact of Hurricane Helene on his community.
In the play he asks THE question that is the most important question for all of us, and I wanted you to hear his question tonight:
‘Are you a day helper or a stay helper?’
This is and will remain an all of us but it is the Public School Forum that has binded us all together for 40 years.”
— EdNC CEO and Editor-in-Chief Mebane Rash
“Please choose to be a stay helper in your support of Mary Ann, the team, and the leadership of the Public School Forum, and in support of our local public schools,” Rash said.
The Order of the Long Leaf Pine
On May 1, Rash arrived early at the Angus Barn to meet with EdNC Board of Directors Chair Dr. Monique Perry-Graves before the Forum’s gala started. The EdNC team was on hand as her sons presented her with The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, “the highest award for state service granted by the Office of the Governor.”
Nominations can be made for individuals who have 30 or more years of service in North Carolina, according to the governor’s website. Rash was nominated for the prestigious award by EdNC’s strategic council and board of directors on the 10th anniversary of EdNC.
“Thank you for guiding so many of us, your EdNC family, for championing young people, particularly young women, and seeing things in us we can’t yet see. You push us to live in that sweet spot right outside our comfort zone,” said EdNC’s most senior reporter, Liz Bell.
Consultant Kelley O’Brien read excerpts from the letter Principal Lori Fox submitted as part of Rash’s nomination for the honor.
“When I think of Mebane Rash, I think of two things: her ability to help those of us working in public education see what’s possible and her deep commitment to rural North Carolina. She has, indeed, made significant contributions to the state and our communities through exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments… Mebane shows up across the state in our classrooms and communities… It’s not about Mebane but about what’s best for North Carolina’s communities.”
Excerpt from Lori Fox’s nomination letter
Editor’s note: The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation supports the work of EdNC. Leshaun Jenkins serves on EdNC’s strategic council.
