The program is a series of seven, one-day seminars conducted by the University of North Carolina’s Principals Executive Program (PEP) to encourage and prepare promising teachers to become school administrators.

One of 63 participants selected for DFL — the first program of its type in North Carolina — Mackey completed more than 50 hours of classroom instruction and produced a professional portfolio.

The portfolio includes a career plan, examples of educational achievements and a personal statement of education philosophy.

Graduation ceremonies, attended by participants along with the principals and district superintendents who nominated them for the program, were held at the Holiday Inn Gateway and Convention Centre in Rocky Mount.

Dr. Daryll Powell, associate director of the Principals’ Executive Program delivered the commencement address.

“The Developing Future Leaders Program is an important step in preparing future administrators who will make student success the primary goal of school leadership,” said Gene Gallelli, PEP assistant director who designed the curriculum. “We are pleased with the success of the program and of our decision to expand DFL to the piedmont and mountain areas of North Carolina.”

With this significant achievement, Mackey joins the growing number of educators who have successfully completed a leadership-training course offered by PEP.