North Carolina Community Engagement Alliance (NC CEAL), a partnership between CCPH and UNC Chapel Hill, celebrated the graduation of the 2026 Research Leadership Academy (RLA) Cohort on Friday, May 15, 2026 at the Transcend Leadership Center in Raleigh, NC.
The 2026 RLA cohort completed 5 modules on community-engaged research focusing on the Principles of Partnerships, Research Design, Data, Evaluation, and Navigating Institutions. The last module and graduation, facilitated by PRIME Collective Melvin Jackson and Mysha Wynn, asked Scholars to reflect on their needs to incorporate research in both organizational and individual contexts, and to provide actionable suggestions for RLA’s continued presence in their community-engaged work.
Facilitators Melvin Jackson and Mysha wynn (left to right) talk and walk down the hallway to the lunch area.
RLA Scholars and staff talk during lunchtime.
Some of the RLA Scholars and staff posing together in front of a Transcend Leadership Center sign.
Prior to the RLA Graduation, the team visited RLA Scholar Chiquitta Lesene at Shackle Free Outreach Agency to meet her team, learn about their community-centered health projects, and meet learners from their digital literacy course. We learned that deep connections and long-term investment in the well-being of your partners, constituents, and neighbors can lead you to meaningful projects and services that authentically address the needs of the community.
The purpose of the site visit was to explore the lives of the RLA Scholars beyond the Zoom classroom and learn how to be a more informed community-engaged partner and friend.
Chiquitta Lesene showcasing one of her award winning conference posters.
The RLA team poses with some of Chiquitta’s digital literary learners.
CCPH’s continued iteration of the Research Leadership Academy is a testament to the positive feedback, influence, and impact that the academy has had on the Scholars, the sharing of information and resources with their organizations and neighborhoods, and the authentic and generative interactions with Scholars before, during, and after the academy.
Learn more about the 2026 Cohort: Principles of Partnership session!
Learn about the 2025 Cohort: Seed Grant Site Visits and Graduation!
Subscribe to CCPH’s and NC CEAL’s newsletters to receive updates about the RLA and opportunities to join the next cohort.
