Callie Edwards, director of program evaluation and education research and director of strategic initiatives at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, has stepped into a new statewide leadership role. In February, the North Carolina Association for Research in Education (NCARE) installed Edwards as president-elect, positioning her to help guide the organization’s work with researchers and education leaders across North Carolina.

Edwards said the organization plays an important role in connecting people across the education system who share a common interest in improving schools through research.

“The overall purpose of NCARE is to improve the quality of education in our state through research and evaluation,” Edwards said. “What makes the organization unique is the range of voices across our educational ecosystem. We have teachers, principals, district leaders, DPI colleagues, university faculty, graduate students and research staff, each bringing important perspectives to the conversation. When these perspectives come together, the research questions we ask are sharper and the solutions we develop are better suited to the students and communities we serve.”

Founded in 1974, NCARE serves as the state affiliate of the American Educational Research Association. The organization brings together scholars, graduate students and practitioners who conduct or apply education research. Through its annual conference and other professional activities, NCARE supports collaboration among educators and researchers working to strengthen teaching and learning across North Carolina.

Edwards said research plays a central role in helping educators respond to changing conditions in schools and society.

“We want to identify what is working so we build on those successes,” Edwards said. “We want to recognize what is not working so we can adjust our approaches. Education continues to evolve, and research helps us keep a pulse on emerging trends and adapt in ways that meet the complex needs of students.”

At the Friday Institute, Edwards leads initiatives to evaluate education programs and examine how policies and practices affect students and communities. Her work centers on program evaluation, research design and the development of data-informed strategies for schools and education systems across the state.

Krista Glazewski, executive director of the Friday Institute, said Edwards brings both technical expertise and a collaborative approach to the leadership role.

“Callie has built a strong reputation for rigorous evaluation and thoughtful partnership with educators,” Glazewski said. “Her leadership in NCARE reflects the respect she has earned from colleagues across the state and highlights the Friday Institute’s role in advancing research-to-practice approaches.”

Edwards joined NCARE as a member last year after being nominated by a colleague and elected through the organization’s membership process. She said the appointment provides an opportunity to deepen connections with the state’s education research community.

“What excites me about this role is the chance to help build and sustain the infrastructure for collaboration across boundaries so that researchers and practitioners across North Carolina continue to work together more intentionally,” Edwards said. “Educational challenges rarely belong to one school, one district or one research team. Collaboration across the community helps us think through those challenges together.”

The NCARE leadership role spans three years. Edwards will serve as president-elect in 2026, president in 2027 and past-president in 2028. During the first year, she will help plan the organization’s annual conference and work with the board to support member engagement.

Kristin Villanueva, current president of the North Carolina Association for Research in Education, said leaders within the organization play an important role in strengthening the state’s educational research community.

“Effective leadership in NCARE means ensuring that rigorous research reaches the people and places where it can improve outcomes for North Carolina students,” Villanueva said. “Callie exemplifies that commitment. Her work translates research into actionable insights for educators, and she leads with a focus on building the cross-institutional connections that make that possible.”

Edwards said her first year in the role will focus on listening and learning from members while building on the organization’s long history.

“NCARE has a rich foundation and strong membership,” Edwards said. “My goal is to listen,  deeply understand what’s already been built and strengthen it, so that five years from now, NCARE is even more visible, more connected and more essential to education researchers and practitioners across North Carolina.”