Two N.C. A&T Alumni Named 2026 Regional Principals of the Year

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Two North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University alumni have been recognized among North Carolina's most distinguished educational leaders, earning the prestigious title of 2026 Regional Principals of the Year.

Darrell A. Harris Jr. '11, Ed.D., principal of Eastern Guilford High School in Guilford County Schools, and LaTresha Wilson '04, principal of Tuckaseegee Elementary School in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, were selected by the state Department of Public Instruction for their outstanding work in advancing academic achievement, strengthening school culture, and leading with purpose.

Collaborative Leadership at Eastern Guilford High

Harris, who earned his M.S. in health and physical education/fitness from N.C. A&T, has transformed Eastern Guilford High through an inclusive approach to school improvement that values trust, shared ownership, and meaningful stakeholder engagement.

When developing a campus-wide cellphone policy, Harris led a comprehensive process that included student focus groups, stakeholder surveys, and educator input through the school improvement team. The result was a policy rooted in learning, accountability, and mutual respect rather than punishment.

This collaborative spirit permeates the entire school culture. Student focus groups are regular fixtures, and teachers are encouraged to select professional development experiences that align with their interests and instructional goals. These approaches have contributed to significant gains in:

• Student proficiency scores
• Academic growth across all subject areas
• Teacher EVAAS performance ratings

Remarkable Turnaround at Tuckaseegee Elementary

Wilson, who earned her B.S.

The Title I school achieved the highest literacy growth in the district in 2024, despite serving a student population where roughly one-fourth of students have limited English proficiency. This outstanding achievement earned the school the Early Literacy Growth Award from Branching Minds.

Wilson's leadership approach is deeply rooted in community connection. Having grown up in the school's neighborhood and raised in a family of educators, she remains committed to strengthening the school's identity as a place of pride, growth, and opportunity for the families it serves.

A&T's Legacy of Educational Leadership

The recognition of Harris and Wilson continues N.C. A&T's strong tradition of producing outstanding educational leaders. Jason Johnson of Orange High School in Hillsborough, the 2025 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year, is also a 1997 graduate of A&T.

The 2026 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year will be announced May 15 in Cary. The winner will serve as an adviser to the State Board of Education for two years and as a member of the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Public School Forum.

North Carolina A&T State University continues to be recognized as the nation's largest historically Black university and one of the top 25 "Most Innovative" universities in America according to U.S. News & World Report. The university's impact on educational leadership demonstrates its ongoing commitment to developing transformational leaders who make a difference in their communities.