Misenheimer, N.C. — Pfeiffer University has been awarded $1.5 million to launch a Regional Literacy Training Center that will strengthen early literacy instruction and teacher preparation across rural North Carolina. The multi-year investment by the Warren and Augusta Hume Foundation will support teachers and future educators serving Stanly, Randolph, and Montgomery counties, where fewer than half of students are reading on grade level by the end of third grade.

“Early literacy is foundational to educational success, and rural communities face unique barriers in providing teachers with the training and resources they need,” said Dr. Scott W. Bullard, president of Pfeiffer University. “This investment allows Pfeiffer to respond to a critical regional need by supporting today’s educators while preparing the next generation of teachers to enter the classroom ready to meet the needs of early readers.”

The new Literacy Training Center will focus on strengthening evidence-based reading instruction for kindergarten through fifth grade, addressing one of the strongest predictors of long-term student success: the ability to read proficiently by the end of third grade. The Center is designed to meet the distinct challenges faced by rural school districts, including limited access to sustained professional development and ongoing instructional support.

“This partnership represents an exciting opportunity for our district and the entire region. Strengthening literacy instruction remains one of our most important priorities, and this investment supports the kind of sustained, high-quality professional learning our teachers need to continue growing in their craft. Just as importantly, it strengthens our ability to recruit and retain high-quality educators who are committed to serving our communities. When we deepen literacy in all its forms, we open doors for our students — not only in school, but in life,” said Stanly County Schools Chief Academic Officer Lynn Plummer.

Strengthening Teaching and Learning Across the Region

The Regional Literacy Training Center will provide hands-on, practical training grounded in the science of reading. For current teachers, the Center will offer workshops, coaching, and shared learning opportunities focused on classroom-ready strategies rather than one-time professional development sessions. This sustained approach will help educators build confidence, refine instruction, and implement consistent reading practices across schools and districts.

The Center will begin work with Stanly County in the first year, followed by Randolph and Montgomery counties in subsequent years. This model will allow participating districts to learn from one another while addressing challenges specific to rural communities.

Preparing Future Teachers for Rural Classrooms

In addition to supporting current educators, the Literacy Training Center will strengthen Pfeiffer’s undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs by embedding high-quality literacy instruction directly into coursework. Education students will receive enhanced preparation in early literacy strategies, ensuring they graduate with practical skills needed to teach reading effectively from day one.

The initiative also includes student scholarships for education majors who complete literacy-focused classroom experiences and commit to teaching in one of the partner counties for three years after graduation. This component is particularly impactful for Pfeiffer students, more than half of whom are Pell-eligible and many of whom are first-generation college students.

“With this support, Pfeiffer University is creating a practical, sustainable resource that benefits both educators and students,” Bullard said. “By investing in early literacy where the need is greatest, we are helping ensure that more children learn to read well, early, and for life.”