Emily Williamson Gangi

As Policy Engagement Director, Emily identifies opportunities for faculty and staff to become involved in public policy matters of statewide significance for the ncIMPACT Initiative. She manages projects designed to help public officials in North Carolina navigate critical policy challenges across a wide range of topics, including workforce education, economic development, health, criminal justice, and the environment. She teaches a service-learning course for undergraduates on state and local governance. Prior to her work at the School, Emily directed strategic planning and policy for the North Carolina Community College System, which is the third largest system of community colleges in the nation. Before relocating to the Research Triangle region in 2011, Emily served as Vice President for Student Development at Western Piedmont Community College and led the divisions of student services, learning resources, and technology for a comprehensive, public community college serving more than 14,000 credit and non-credit students annually. She also served as Executive Director of Western Piedmont Foundation, which seeks funds and gifts to advance the mission of the college. She previously worked as an education policy analyst for the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) and taught eighth grade at East Burke Middle School. Emily served on the Hildebran Town Council as mayor pro tempore, as well as co-chair of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation Advisory Panel and the board of directors of Burke Economic Development Council, Blue Ridge Healthcare Foundation, and Community Foundation of Burke County. She currently serves on the board of directors for the North Caroliniana Society and Kidzu Children's Museum. She was honored as Burke County Woman of the Year and received the UNC Distinguished Young Alumnus Award, as well as the UNC School of Government Performance Excellence Award. Emily received her bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed an education specialist degree in higher education administration from Appalachian State University. She is also a graduate of Leadership North Carolina, a selective program to develop public and private sector leadership in the state.

Selected Publications

Brown-Graham, Anita R.; Brown, David; Williamson Gangi, Emily. 2018. “The Forsyth Story: A Strategy for Providing a More Inclusive Economy.” Chapel Hill, NC. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Government.

Williamson Gangi, Emily. 2019. “Finding a Better Way: A Case Study on Challenges to Inclusive Economic Development.” Chapel Hill, NC. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Government. 

Williamson Gangi, Emily. Drinking Water Incident Response Toolkit Now Available Online. ncIMPACT Initiative. Chapel Hill, NC. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Government.

Brown-Graham, Anita R.; Brown, David; Williamson Gangi, Emily; Santos, Nathalie. 2019. “Bright Spots: Innovative Efforts to Accelerate Educational Attainment across North Carolina.” Chapel Hill, NC. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Government.

Williamson Gangi, Emily. Improving Health Access in Rural Communities – McDowell County. Chapel Hill, NC. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Government.

Williamson Gangi, Emily. Opioid Epidemic Ignores Boundaries in North Carolina. Chapel Hill, NC. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Government.