About Us

For more than 75 years, the College of Education at NC State University has prepared leaders in education. In the 21st century, we are poised to be a leader and innovator in the preparation of teachers, administrators, counselors, and other educational professionals who use technology to transform the learning process. The Friday Institute was created to address this goal. We are proud to be named in honor of William and Ida Friday, the former NC State graduate and president of the University of North Carolina system and his wife who have been passionate advocates for education for more than 50 years.

The Friday Institute is on NC State University’s Centennial Campus, where close to 60 corporate and government organizations and business incubators work in partnership with faculty and students in a highly innovative environment. Our location and mission capitalize on NC State University’s long history of engagement in university and business partnerships, and its leadership role in economic development. We are also connected to the Centennial Campus Middle School and are working with school districts in rural North Carolina to extend access to technology for the development of innovative teaching and learning applications.

Cross sector collaboration among education, government and private industry has been a cornerstone of the Friday Institute since its inception. We raised $10 million in private donations from corporations and individuals for the Friday Institute building and garnered more than $10.5 million for research projects before the building opened, and we secured an annual $1.9 million operations budget from the N.C. state legislature.

Emerging technologies will continue to change how we communicate, teach, learn, and respond to an increasingly global society. Our history demonstrates the Friday Institute’s dedication to research and cross-sector collaboration that will empower educators and their students to be 21st century learners and leaders, contribute to our social and economic well being, and meet the challenges of a global knowledge workforce.