Susan Brigman currently serves as Section Chief for 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) within the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s Office of Federal Programs. With more than 20 years of experience in education, Susan has served as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal, turnaround school leader, and state-level education administrator. Her background includes experience in both traditional and alternative education settings, where she worked to support students with diverse academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs. Her career spans classroom instruction, school leadership, and statewide program administration, providing her with a broad perspective on the policies and practices that shape educational opportunities for students and families.
In her current role, Susan provides statewide leadership and oversight for the 21st CCLC program, which awards federal grants to support out-of-school-time programming for students and families. These programs provide academic enrichment, expanded learning opportunities, youth development activities, and family engagement beyond the traditional school day. Her work focuses on the effective implementation of federal education policy, grant administration, program quality, fiscal and programmatic accountability, and continuous improvement. She collaborates with local education agencies, community organizations, state and federal agencies, and education leaders to strengthen programs and ensure resources are used effectively to support student success. Susan also serves on the Advisory Board of the North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs (NC CAP), contributing to statewide efforts to strengthen afterschool and expanded learning opportunities for children and youth.
Susan is passionate about the intersection of education policy, leadership, and practice, particularly how policy decisions translate into meaningful outcomes for students, schools, and communities. Through the Education Policy Fellowship Program, she hopes to deepen her understanding of the policymaking process, strengthen her advocacy skills, and build collaborative relationships with education leaders and policymakers. She is especially interested in exploring how policy can advance equitable access to high-quality learning opportunities, strengthen school-community partnerships, and support the academic, social, and career readiness of students across North Carolina.
Susan holds a Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education and a Master of School Administration and Curriculum and Instruction, from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. She lives in Pinehurst, North Carolina, with her husband, Chip, and enjoys spending time with their five children, Tori, Dylan, Tripp, Carter, and Maddy.