Division of Strategy and Policy
The Division of Strategy and Policy enhances and furthers the UNC System’s strategic goals. To this end, Strategy and Policy has developed a robust performance measurement system to track progress toward System goals and proactively identifies new initiatives that will help advance those goals.
OUr initiatives
The division leads several projects and programs, including:
Implementation of Higher Expectations: The Strategic Plan for the UNC System
Student Success Innovation Lab
UNC System Equity Fellows Program
The North Carolina Student Aid Study Group, a joint effort of the University of North Carolina and the North Carolina Community College Systems
Literacy Framework Development Initiative
The 2018 Survey of UNC System Alumni
Mental Health First Aid Initiative
2019-20 Report on Free Speech and Free Expression Within the University
Division of Strategy and Policy Staff

Andrew P. Kelly, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President for Strategy and Policy
919-962-6082
Kait Littell
Executive Assistant to the Senior Vice President for Strategy and Policy
919-843-0450

Shun Robertson, Ph.D.
Vice President for Access and Success Strategy
919-962-5663

Clay B. Smith, Ed.D.
Assistant Director of Educator Preparation and Lab Schools
919-843-2095

Mark Umbricht, Ph.D.
Director of Data Analysis and Research
919-962-6082

Caleb P. Rose, Ph.D.
Senior Research Analyst
919-843-9587

Mary Gaegler, M.P.P.
Data and Policy Analyst
919-843-5008
P20 Policy and Programs
Bennett T Jones
Director of the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program
(919) 843-0402

Monique Keys
Assistant Director of Teacher Recruitment

Eddie Price, Ed.D.
Director of NC Principal Fellows Program

Tony Stewart, Ed.D.
Coordinator of NC Principal Fellows and Transforming Principal Preparation
GEAR UP NC
GEAR UP stands for “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs” and is a national college access initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The goal of this initiative is to significantly increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. Over the past seven years, more than 22,000 students and their families in sixteen North Carolina school districts have been supported through academic support services, financial aid and career counseling, college tours, and mentoring services. GEAR UP also provides professional development to school leadership, emphasizing the importance of data-driven decision making when developing programs to address student needs.
Patti B. Harris, M.Ed.
Director, GEAR UP

Miodrag Stojnic, Ph.D.
Research and Evaluation Specialist
919-962-8366

Estefane Santiago-Lopez
College Access and Success Manager
919-843-5845