Deborah Kingsberry was the dedicated Executive Director of the Academic Institute of Central Carolina, which she founded in 2009 to serve Mecklenburg, Union, and Gaston Counties. Under her leadership, the organization provided crucial pre-college services through Educational Talent Search, Educational Opportunity Center, and two Classic Upward Bound Programs supporting Charlotte Mecklenburg High Schools.

A passionate advocate for educational opportunity, Deborah served as the North Carolina Council of Educational Opportunity Personnel president from 2003 to 2007. She also owned and led the Academic Achievement Academy from 2009 to 2015, offering tutoring services to over 25 school districts in North and South Carolina. Before these roles, she was the Director of Upward Bound/Talent Search at Central Piedmont Community College for 12 years and taught Criminal Justice at Indiana University South Bend, where she championed minority recruitment.

An alumna of Ball State University and Indiana University, and an Upward Bound graduate from the University of Notre Dame, Deborah remained a CHAMPION of TRiO programs throughout her life. She believed deeply in the power of encouragement, living by her motto, “Nine-tenths of education is encouragement.” Her vision was to make education accessible to all who dared to dream.

Deborah Kingsberry’s legacy of commitment and inspiration will continue to empower future generations. She will be remembered as a tireless advocate for educational equity and a beacon of hope for countless students.