Learning, Leading, and Remembering: Reflections on the 2026 NCPPA Training Institute
The NC Probation Parole Association (NCPPA) Training Institute, held from September 2–4, 2026, was a powerful few days dedicated to professional growth, deep connection, and community leadership. While the event offered invaluable training for community corrections professionals across North Carolina, it was the perfect blend of critical field insights, top-tier executive leadership, evening camaraderie, and solemn traditions that captured the true heart of the NCPPA family.
A Community Built on Partnership: Our Sponsors and Exhibitors
An event of this scale simply wouldn't be possible without the generous support, commitment, and partnership of our incredible sponsors and exhibitors. Their investment in our community, our agency, and the professional growth of our field makes a direct impact on public safety across our state. We extend a massive thank you to every sponsor who stepped up to make this institute a success! 🤝✨
Throughout the TI, the Exhibit Hall was buzzing with activity. Attendees filled the floor to visit with dedicated exhibitor organizations and explore the innovative tools, resources, and services actively supporting North Carolina Community Supervision. To make the rounds even more exciting, members brought their program booklets to each table, collecting stamps from every single exhibitor on the floor to officially enter the highly anticipated prize drawing. We are so grateful to our exhibitors for spending time with us and keeping our field moving forward!
Day 1: Opening Ceremony, Powerful Welcomes & An Evening of Recognition
The Training Institute kicked off on the afternoon of September 2nd with an incredible, high-energy opening ceremony. We were deeply honored to begin our event with a powerful welcome ceremony featuring inspiring remarks from community and criminal justice leaders across the area.
A heartfelt thank you to all of our guest speakers for setting such a strong, supportive tone for the days ahead:
Keynote Speaker: District Court Judge Ashleigh Parker
Mayor of Greensboro: Marikay Abuzuaiter
Guilford County Sheriff: Danny H. Rogers
Greensboro Assistant Chief of Police: Rick Alston
District Attorney (Judicial District 24): Avery Crump
Division I Judicial Division Director: Shelia B. Moore
Division III Judicial Division Director: Robin Griffin
District 18 Judicial District Manager: Darryl Wilson
A special mention and sincere appreciation goes to the NCDAC Honor Guard for the flawless presentation of colors, and to Warden Bret Bullis for a moving performance of the National Anthem.
Following these inspiring opening remarks, the atmosphere shifted to celebration as we moved into an evening of recognition. We were thrilled to celebrate the dedication, hard work, and outstanding contributions of our remarkable award recipients. Please join us in congratulating this year's honorees for their exceptional service to our field and our organization:
Division I Award: Haley Wynn
Division II Award: Jailene Garcia
Division III Award: Shamica McCollum
Division IV Award: Angela Jones
President's Award: Jessica Wilborn
Deputy Secretary's Award: Shelia Moore
Thank you all for your unwavering commitment, leadership, and excellence. Your hard work makes a lasting impact every single day! 👏👏
Day 2 Morning: Staff Development, Advocacy & Emerging Trends
Day two got off to a fantastic start with a focus straight on the core of the NCPPA mission: continuous learning and professional growth.
Innovations in Training: The morning kicked off with an insightful opening presentation from Spencer Noble, DAC Director of Staff Development and Training. He provided attendees with crucial updates on the latest agency training initiatives and shared an exciting preview of new, innovative training programs on the horizon for North Carolina Department of Adult Correction staff. Continuous learning remains at the heart of our mission!
Drugs, Overdoses, and Trends in NC: In another vital session, attendees gained critical insights into substance use trends across North Carolina. This timely briefing broke down current and emerging drug patterns impacting our communities. Staying informed on these shifting trends equips supervision officers and justice professionals with the knowledge needed to save lives, support recovery, and enhance public safety. A huge thank you to everyone working on the frontlines of this critical issue!
The Power of Advocacy with Pat Tuthill: Moving into midday, attendees had the distinct honor of hearing from Pat Tuthill, founder of the Peyton Tuthill Foundation and a tireless victim advocate. Pat shared her deeply personal story following the tragic loss of her daughter, Peyton, and detailed her relentless efforts to help enact the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision across all 50 states. Her presentation was a stark, inspiring reminder of why the Interstate Compact is so vital: tracking offenders across state lines, protecting victims' rights, and keeping our communities safe.
Routine Until It Isn't: Staying Ready: Chief Probation/Parole Officer Cameron Gulledge, Chief Probation/Parole Officer Sam Tobin, and Probation/Parole Officer Alexander Dillard hosted a gripping presentation. The session opened with powerful body camera footage from a late-night, on-call incident where PPO Dillard was assaulted, forced to defend himself, and call for radio assistance—holding the offender at bay until backup arrived. Giving attendees a raw look directly from his point of view, PPO Dillard shared his story, detailing what he went through in that critical moment and highlighting the vital importance of tactical readiness, composure under pressure, and officer safety. We extend a heartfelt thank you to Officers Gulledge, Tobin, and especially Dillard for their vulnerability, courage, and dedication.
Day 2 Afternoon: Strategic Vision, Policy, & Resilience
Moving into the afternoon, the institute shifted toward a mix of vital policy updates, agency leadership strategy, and deeply moving personal perspectives that brought the legal and emotional realities of public safety work to the forefront.
The afternoon sessions kicked off with an insightful Legal, Legislative, and Policy Panel featuring key experts across state government and legal academia. The panelists provided crucial updates on recent legislative shifts, evolving legal frameworks, and policy changes directly impacting North Carolina Community Supervision and Adult Correction operations. Thank you to our distinguished panel for sharing their expertise:
Justin Davis | DAC Director of Legislative Affairs
William "Cliff" Nichols | DAC Deputy General Counsel
Sammy Said | DAC Assistant General Counsel
James "Jamie" Markham | Professor of Public Law and Government
Following these legal and policy updates, attendees gained valuable broader perspective during a comprehensive update panel featuring the core DAC Community Supervision Leadership. The panel shared key insights into the current state of the Division of Community Supervision (DCS) and delivered an exciting preview of new initiatives, operational enhancements, and strategic direction on the horizon. A big thank you to our esteemed panelists for sharing their vision and leadership in action:
Tracy K. Lee | Chief Deputy Secretary
Theresa Starling | Director of Administration
Brian K. Gates | Director of Programs
Timothy Gasperson | Director of Operations
Concluding our afternoon presentations was a deeply sobering and inspiring session, "Shot in the Line of Duty: A Real-World Perspective on Officer Safety and Mental Wellness," delivered by retired K9 Officer Sean Houle. Drawing from over 20 years of dedicated service across fire, EMS, and law enforcement, Officer Houle—a survivor and motivational speaker—offered an authentically raw look into resilience, perseverance, and the mental health realities faced by today’s public safety professionals. His powerful story served as a profound reminder to everyone in attendance about the critical importance of officer safety, proactive mental wellness, and embracing a true "never give up" mentality through life's toughest moments.
Day 2 Evening: Unmasking a Great Night at the Masquerade Social
Following the intense and impactful daytime sessions, members, colleagues, and supporters traded in their badges and field gear for elegant masks and formal wear for the NCPPA Masquerade Social.
From great networking conversations to a packed dance floor, the evening was an absolute success. Events like this serve as a powerful reminder of how strong—and fun—our community truly is when we come together outside of our daily duties.
The undisputed highlight of the night was the highly anticipated mask contest, which came down to an intense, live "applause-o-meter" showdown. As our host held a hand over each contestant's head, the crowd brought unparalleled energy, clapping and cheering loud enough to bring down the house.
A massive congratulations to our 2026 champions who took home the titles loud and clear:
Most Creative Mask: Colleen Patterson
Best Overall Mask: Jessica Wilborn
Thank you to everyone who stepped up, dressed to impress, and showed off their incredible style and creativity!
Day 3 Morning: Critical Awareness (Human Trafficking 101)
Transitioning into Friday, Day 3 began with vital operational insights during the morning opening session, "Human Trafficking 101." This eye-opening presentation shifted the focus deep into the human side of these cases to help professionals better understand the realities victims experience.
The presenters guided attendees through an essential breakdown of these complex dynamics:
How Traffickers Enlist Victims: An examination of the manipulation tactics, grooming methods, and false promises used to target vulnerable individuals.
The Impact of Trauma & The Victim Cycle: A look at the deep psychological trauma, complex control, and emotional barriers that trap victims and make escaping incredibly difficult.
Current Trends & Real Cases: A review of recent local cases showing how these trafficking dynamics actively play out in North Carolina communities today.
By understanding trauma and the victim's journey, officers and staff left with a much clearer picture of what is happening behind closed doors, sharpening their ability to identify and support victims in the field.
Day 3 Mid-Morning: Strategic Vision, Policy, & Executive Leadership
Following the morning's field training, the institute welcomed executive leaders to deliver critical updates and map out an inspiring path forward for the agency.
Attendees welcomed North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (DAC) Secretary Leslie Dismukes and Chief Operating Officer Tammera Hill for a powerful executive session. Together, they delivered a comprehensive overview of the current state of the DAC, detailing key priorities for the upcoming legislative session alongside ongoing advancements in field equipment and training resources. Beyond policy, they took a deep dive into "Excellence Beyond the Badge," challenging attendees to lead with integrity, purpose, and dedication both on and off duty across North Carolina.
Day 3 Late Morning: A Solemn Service of Remembrance
Following the forward-looking morning leadership and supervision updates, the atmosphere of the conference shifted toward a moment of profound reflection. Beyond the active training and professional connection, our most meaningful moment of the day came when we gathered for a solemn memorial service to honor the current and retired NCPPA staff who passed away over this past year.
It was a moving reminder of the tight-knit bond within our profession. We carry the memory, service, and dedication of these fallen colleagues with us every single day, allowing their legacy to inspire our continued work in community corrections. 🖤💙
Day 3 Conclusion: Investing in the Future (The Julie Ann Harper Memorial Scholarships)
Upholding the theme of family and community, the final day concluded by shifting our focus to the future of the NCPPA family—celebrating the academic dreams of our members' families. We had the distinct privilege of awarding five outstanding students with academic scholarships through the Julie Ann Harper Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Named in honor of Julie Ann Harper’s enduring legacy, this fund ensures that our association continues to support and lift up our community across generations.
Please join us in celebrating our hard-working 2026 scholarship recipients:
Eliza Brewer (Family member of Maggie Brewer) 🎓
Raelyn Dixon (Daughter of Latoya Dixon) 🎓
Te'Reyna Dixon (Daughter of Latoya Dixon) 🎓
Kalyn Johnson (Daughter of Kiwana Johnson) 🎓
Baylee Tilley (Daughter of Joey and Tempy Tilley) 🎓
We are immensely proud of these dedicated students and cannot wait to see all they accomplish in their academic journeys and beyond! ✨
Looking Ahead
Thank you to everyone who joined us this year in learning, leading, celebrating, and remembering. The strength of the NCPPA relies entirely on the commitment of our members, the expertise of our presenters, and the vision of our leadership.
To learn more about the inspiring history behind our memorial awards, or to find out how you can contribute to supporting future applicants, please visit the official page: Julie Ann Harper Scholarship | NCPPA.
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