Cumberland County Schools -

Cumberland County Schools (CCS) is proud to announce that Denise Renfro, director of the Academy of Green Technology at Douglas Byrd High School, will represent her school and the National Science Foundation (NSF) CREATE Energy Center in an international education program in Norway.

In April, Renfro will join a distinguished delegation of educators exploring clean energy and electric transportation innovations on a global scale. As a participant in the CREATE Norway International Faculty Project, she will conduct research on clean energy and electric transportation technologies. The delegation will attend the Nordic EV Summit Conference, meet with Norwegian industry representatives and collaborate with energy leaders and policymakers.

The initiative aims to identify best practices for integrating clean energy solutions, electric transportation, energy storage and charging infrastructure into workforce development and educational programs. Insights from this experience will be shared through academic and public platforms to foster international collaboration in the transition to clean energy and sustainable transportation.

“I am fortunate to join an exceptional group of community college and university faculty to research Norway's approach to clean energy, EV transportation and technical education,” said Renfro. “It fits perfectly with what I teach every day in the Academy and what I learn will find its way back to students and meet so many classroom and general educational objectives."

CCS congratulates Renfro on this prestigious opportunity and looks forward to the knowledge and expertise she will bring back to her students and colleagues. Her participation in this international program reflects the district's commitment to preparing students for careers in emerging and sustainable industries.