Orange County Schools’ Dr. Julie Pack Completes NCSSA Aspiring Superintendents Program Cohort X

Orange County Schools (OCS) proudly announces that Dr. Julie Pack was among 39 distinguished school and district leaders across the state to graduate from the tenth cohort of the North Carolina School Superintendents' Association (NCSSA) Aspiring Superintendents Program.

"The program is designed to support the growth, expansion, and enhancement of school and district leaders in their current roles while providing high-quality professional development to strengthen their knowledge of the skills and dispositions required for future superintendents," said Jack Hoke, Executive Director of the North Carolina School Superintendents' Association.

The North Carolina Aspiring Superintendents Program is a highly specialized leadership development initiative tailored for select district leaders who have demonstrated exceptional success in their administrative roles and aspire to the superintendency. 

Offered through the NCSSA and the North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development, the program equips future superintendents with technical expertise, leadership strategies for navigating the complexities of the role, and contemporary skills essential for 21st-century educational leadership. 

Participants engage in multiple face-to-face leadership development sessions and benefit from an embedded Executive Coaching component with proven leaders in the field. As of this date, 61 alumni from the program’s ten cohorts have now been appointed to superintendencies across North Carolina.

Reflecting on Dr. Pack’s participation, Hoke remarked, “Dr. Pack cultivated a strong network of district leaders and actively contributed to discussions on emerging challenges, innovative practices, and strategic solutions impacting Orange County Schools.”

OCS Superintendent Dr. Danielle Jones said,

“I congratulate Dr. Pack on this accomplishment that reflects her strong leadership, commitment to public education, and dedication to continuous growth in service of our students, staff, and this community. We are proud to have her as part of the team in Orange County Schools, where her leadership consistently enhances our collective ability to teach and support students. I look forward to her continued positive impact on our district and the future of our students.”
 

 

Reflecting on her experience, Dr. Pack remarked, “Participating in the Aspiring Superintendents Program Cohort has been a transformative experience that strengthened my leadership capacity and expanded my perspective on district leadership. Perhaps most valuable were the meaningful connections I built with colleagues across the state that will continue to inform and support my work as we strive to improve outcomes for all students.”

Dr. Julie Pack started her tenure as Chief Academic Officer in Orange County Schools in July 2024. She has spearheaded the district’s Strategic Planning process and championed high-quality instruction through professional learning opportunities for educators at every level. Following her first school year in the role, OCS achieved historic growth and achievement results, leading the state with 100% of schools meeting or exceeding growth for the first time.

Dr. Pack previously served Durham Public Schools as Senior Executive Director of Career and Technical Education and Magnet Programs. She was Director of Secondary Education in Asheboro City Schools for eight years after teaching and school leadership roles in Asheboro, Randolph County Schools, and Alamance-Burlington School System.

Dr. Pack received her Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Specialist in Education) and Master’s in School Administration at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and her Bachelor of Arts in History (with teacher certification) at Elon University. She holds licenses in school administration (superintendent, principal), curriculum instruction, and grades 9-12 history. She was named a National Leadership Fellow in 2020 by the Association of Career and Technical Education and has presented extensively at the state and national level on the power of educational innovation to transform schools and school districts.

Learn more about the NC School Superintendents' Association at www.ncssa.net.

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