Education Leadership
Meet Carolina Vance — Building the Future of Union County Schools
Carolina Vance
Superintendent · Union County Public Schools · May 12, 2026
When Carolina Vance stepped into the role of Superintendent at Union County Public Schools, she inherited more than a job — she inherited the future of North Carolina's fastest-growing school district.
The District She's Leading
Union County Public Schools (UCPS) serves over 41,000 students across 56 schools, making it the 7th largest district in North Carolina. But raw numbers don't capture what makes UCPS remarkable — it's the pace. Union County is one of the fastest-growing areas in the Southeast, adding roughly 2,000-3,000 new students each year.
Under Vance's leadership, UCPS has focused on more than just capacity. The district has posted steady gains in reading proficiency, expanded career and technical education pathways, and launched innovative community partnership programs that connect students directly with local businesses.
Priorities That Set Her Apart
📚 Literacy First
Vance has made early literacy the cornerstone of her agenda, implementing structured literacy curriculum across elementary schools and launching a tutoring corps that has reached thousands of K-3 students.
🤝 Community Schools Initiative
Rather than treating schools as isolated institutions, Vance has pushed for wraparound services — food pantries, health clinics, parent education classes — embedded directly in school buildings.
💻 Digital Equity
With 1:1 device ratios now standard across UCPS, the district has turned attention to connectivity gaps at home — deploying MiFi hotspots and working with local ISPs to extend broadband to underserved areas.
Why This Matters for Local Businesses
School districts the size of UCPS are economic engines. When a district improves, the community grows stronger — families move to areas with top-rated schools, and local businesses benefit from an educated workforce pipeline.
Smart Stuff Studios works with schools and districts across North Carolina to build websites that communicate clearly with parents, attract high-quality teachers, and showcase student achievements. We've seen firsthand how leadership like Carolina Vance's creates communities worth investing in.
The Numbers Behind UCPS
Looking Ahead
With growth showing no signs of slowing, Carolina Vance faces the ongoing challenge of building capacity — new schools, new teachers, new systems — without losing the close-knit feel that makes Union County special. Her approach: stay close to classrooms, empower principals, and keep parents part of the conversation.
It's a model that smart communities across the Carolinas are watching closely.
Does your school district or local business need a website that reflects this level of ambition?
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