Young leads the Chapel Hill-based global learning organization founded in 1987.
David B. Young, the chief executive officer of Chapel Hill, N.C.-based global education organization Participate Learning, will deliver the address at the Graduate-level Commencement Exercises on Wednesday, May 17.
The joint ceremony will include students from the Master of Arts in Higher Education, Master of Education, Master of Arts in Interactive Media, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Accounting and Master of Science in Business Analytics programs and will begin at 7 p.m. in Alumni Gym.
With decades of experience in North Carolina public schools, Young has dedicated his entire career to Participate Learning’s mission to unite the world through global learning. Founded in 1987 by his brother, AlanYoung, Participate Learning is today the leading provider of K-12 global education programs and one of the largest international exchange teacher programs recognized by the U.S. Department of State. David and Alan are the sons of Elon President Emeritus Fred Young.
For more than 35 years, Participate Learning has partnered with schools and districts to create global, cultural, and language connections to empower students and educators to positively impact the world. Its vision is to develop global citizenship among today’s students and tomorrow’s leaders and its work fosters cultural understanding to create a peaceful future for everyone.
Young has been a featured speaker and panelist at various national, international, and regional education conferences and symposia, has been quoted in publications and research reports, and has authored numerous publications on the topic of global education. He is a member of the Public School Forum of North Carolina’s Board of Directors, the Forum’s Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity Advisory Board, and the Elon University School of Education Advisory Board. He is also the former vice-chair of the executive board for the Partnership for 21st Century Learning and the former vice president of the board at SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals.
Young has been named on the MO 100 Top Impact CEO list since 2022. Under Young’s leadership, Participate Learning won the B Corporation “Best for the World” award from 2013 to 2022 and has been listed among the Real Leaders Top Impact Companies since 2019.