Nash Community College to host diversity and inclusiveness speaker
Nash Community College will conclude its diversity and inclusiveness month celebration on February 19th at 12:00pm in the college’s Brown Auditorium with Everett Ward presenting “Why the Young Should be Engaged in the Political Process.”
Everett Ward of Raleigh, North Carolina has over 30 years’ experience as a public administrator, political leader, and humanitarian. He currently serves as Director of the Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU)/Minority Institutions of Higher Education (MIHE) Program for the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). In this role Everett works with university chancellors and presidents, faculty and staff in the areas of transportation curriculum development, research initiatives, and student development. Everett serves on the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) HBCU/MIHE Workgroup. This workgroup is responsible for establishing and maintaining partnerships between FHWA and HBCU/MIHE universities.
Prior to his current position, Everett served as NCDOT’s Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary for Environment, Planning and Local Government. In both capacities he worked with local elected officials and assisted with the implementation of the department’s Rural Planning Organizations (RPO) Program. In recognition of his service to the department’s diversity efforts, Everett received the NCDOT Extra Mile Award.
Everett has served on and chaired two university advisory boards. In recognition of his commitment to higher education, he was elected to serve on the Board of Trustees of Saint Augustine’s College. From 2009-2011, Everett served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for his beloved Alma Mater where he continues to serve.
As a dedicated servant leader, Everett serves on several national, regional and statewide boards to advance opportunities for citizens throughout the nation. Everett is a member of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) where he serves as Co-chairman of the Credentials Committee, Vice Chairman of the DNC Black Caucus and former DNC Rules and By-Laws Committee member. In 1983, Everett was named Special Assistant to the Chairman of the North Carolina Democratic Party and subsequently was named Political Director. As a result of his political achievements, Everett made history as the first African American Executive Director of the North Carolina Democratic Party in 1989.
Everett received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Saint Augustine’s College and his Master of Arts Degree from North Carolina State University. In recognition of his academic and humanitarian achievements, Everett received the Steve Grissom Humanitarian Award from North Carolina State University. Additionally, Everett serves periodically as a Visiting Lecturer for NCSU History Department. As an invited guest of the Taiwanese government he studied the political, educational and cultural institutions of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Presently, he is a doctoral candidate at North Carolina A&T State University in the Leadership Studies Program. As a result of his academic achievements, Everett is a North Carolina A&T State University Wardham Scholar and a member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and the Golden Key International Honour Society.
He is a lifelong member of Davie Street Presbyterian Church, USA where he serves as a Ruling Elder. In addition to his church activities, Everett holds membership and leadership positions in such organizations as: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity; 100 Black Men; North Carolina State Capital Foundation; Clarence E. Lightner Foundation; and Mechanics and Farmers Bank.
For twenty-nine years Everett was married to his college sweetheart, the late Cassandra Lloyd Ward, a Wake County Public School educator and civic leader until she lost her courageous battle with breast cancer on September 15, 2011.
