Kourtney J. Royster (D)

Kourtney J. Royster

• Biography

  I am Kourtney J. Royster, a Burlington native and a proud 2009 graduate of Cummings High School. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Management from Clemson University, my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University, and I am now working on my doctorate in Counseling, Counselor Education and Supervision at North Carolina Central University. I am a licensed business education teacher and a licensed clinical mental health counselor, and I currently serve as the Mental Health Specialist for Durham Public Schools, where I oversee the school-based mental health programming for the district. I am also the owner of New Village Minds Counseling and Consulting. I engage in mental health awareness and suicide prevention through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and through a community of practice and education with DHHS, with an emphasis on youth. I have over a decade of leadership experience serving youth through various community service efforts. I am excited to run for county commissioner and encourage you to connect with me at KourtneyforAlamance on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

• What motivated you to run for Alamance County Board of Commissioners?

  I am running for County Commissioner as a true voice of the people. Alamance County needs strong leaders who act with honor and integrity. I believe in citizen‑centric governance and will keep the people of our county at the forefront of every decision.

• What is your vision for the future of Alamance County, and how will your actions on the Board of Commissioners support that vision?

  I want to see Alamance County catch up with the times and remain a place that people proudly call home for generations. I intend to do this by ensuring our budget and practices align with what will improve quality of life for our citizens and support the growth of Alamance County.

• What are the three most significant needs for Alamance County that require the immediate attention of the Board of Commissioners?

  My top three priorities are fully funding our school systems, expanding human services across the county, and implementing a county‑wide strategic development plan.

• How would you approach issues of taxation, budget prioritization, and resource allocation?

  No response provided.

• How should the Board of Commissioners be approaching land development planning and preparing for future growth and development in Alamance County?

  I fully support smart development for Alamance County, which is why I believe we need a temporary pause to allow objective consulting and evaluation to guide us in making the best decisions for our community.

• What is required for an effective relationship between the ABSS Board of Education and Alamance County Commissioners, and how will you work toward that as an elected official? 

  For the County Commissioners and the Board of Education to have an effective relationship, there must be a mutual understanding of the ABSS strategic plan, respect for public education and all those who make it possible, and a commitment to transparency and honesty. To support this, I will rely heavily on collaboration and the development of regular communication channels to better serve the school district. I will also draw on my experience as an educator to provide meaningful perspective to the board.

• How do you plan to work with other local governments, state agencies, and community organizations to achieve the county’s goals?

  No response provided.

• How do you plan to engage constituent voices in the decisions of the Board of Commissioners? 

  I would love to engage people with unique experiences on existing committees as one way to ensure consistent community voices are represented. In addition, to hear all citizens, I believe it is important to develop communication methods that allow people to be heard outside of standing meetings. Lastly, as a member of this community, I hope residents feel comfortable inviting me into their neighborhoods for listening sessions.

• Please share a specific leadership experience that illustrates how you will be effective as a leader for Alamance County.

  No response provided.