Pam Gould - STEP

<p>Pam Gould is a lifelong resident of the Twin Counties with over 30 years in education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Old Dominion University and a Master of Arts in Education from East Carolina University. Her career spans Edgecombe County Public Schools, Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools, Edgecombe Community College, and Nash Community College — starting as a middle school teacher and coach, then moving into roles as a counselor, Crisis Intervention Specialist, Educational Consultant, and Director of the Redirections Day Treatment Program. She&#39;s presented at state and national conferences and delivered professional development to hundreds of local educators.</p><p>In this episode, we talk with Pam about her path from the classroom to running one of eastern North Carolina&#39;s most impactful workforce development organizations as Executive Director of S.T.E.P. — the Strategic Twin Counties Education Partnership. We dig into STEP&#39;s mission: connecting students in Nash and Edgecombe counties to real local careers, shattering the myth that &quot;there are no good jobs here,&quot; and making sure dual-enrolled high schoolers graduate with industry-recognized credentials in hand.</p><p>We also preview <a href="https://www.step-partnership.org/education-business-leaders-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">STEP&#39;s upcoming Education &amp; Business Leaders&#39; Summit</a> — a half-day AI Summit on Thursday, September 24, 2026 at Nash Community College in Rocky Mount (7:30 AM – 12:00 PM). Industry leaders, educators, and innovators come together to explore what artificial intelligence means for the workplace, the classroom, and the future of the Twin Counties economy.</p>