| The UNC School of Government Criminal Justice Innovation Lab (the Lab) invites you to our webinar: Reimagining Police Crisis Response.
In many communities, law enforcement officers are first responders to calls for service involving social issues like homelessness and mental health and substance use crises. In this free, 60-minute webinar participants will hear from law enforcement leaders and a behavioral health specialist about innovative alternative responder programs designed to reduce and improve law enforcement involvement in crisis calls. We’ll cover different program models, along with program benefits and challenges and implementation recommendations.
Although featuring North Carolina stakeholders, the content is relevant to communities nationwide.
Panelists include: Chief Reed Baer — Hickory, NC Police Department Chief Christopher Hatton — Sylva, NC Police Department Chief Celisa Lehew — Chapel Hill, NC Police Department Amy Griffith, Diversion Services Director – RHA Health Services, Burlington, NC
The webinar is part of the Alternative Responder Project, a partnership between the Lab and the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police. For more information about the project or the webinar contact Hannah Turner. |
Over the past academic year, UNC MPA piloted the Student Professional Development Grant program. This initiative provides up to $250 to every student for professional development expenses such as conference attendance, professional meetings, workshops, or professional organization membership. This funding is in addition to program-sponsored professional development like registration for the North Carolina City and County Management Association Winter Seminar and School of Government courses.
During the pilot year, the program had nine students apply for and be awarded funds. Students used the funds for experiences ranging from leadership summits and registration costs, to travel expenses for conferences. To receive funding, students must apply for development opportunities, discuss how the experience fits with their professional goals with Allison Binkley, the Associate Director of Career Services & Professional Development, and then reflect upon the experience afterwards. The sponsored experiences provided tremendous value for the students and a few shared their thoughts on the experience:
“I was able to network and meet with alumni, learn about skills needed for MPA students, and attend coaching sessions with current managers.” – Shane Digan
“Prior to the conference, I knew almost nothing about the structure and behavior of a budget office. The conference sessions introduced me to concepts like zero-based budgeting and participatory budgeting. The sessions were helpful, but nothing compares to connecting with budget professionals from across the state.” – Scott Powell
“I attended presentations ranging from the Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, regional artists, and community development advocates, to public art funders. I also networked with arts administrators from across the South. Some of my takeaways include: grant processes for public art (specifically focusing on the story to be told with the art rather than the artists’ resume. Start with a letter of intent before accepting full proposals), considerations for equitable pay for guest artists from near and far, and how to engage communities who have been impacted or will be impacted. These takeaways were important to me as I consider foundation funding, leading proposal reviews, and equitably building community through the arts.” – Lauren Duncan ‘22
After a very successful pilot year, the MPA program is excited to continue to continue this initiative for a second year and encourage professional development relating to students’ unique interests.
Join MPA alumni, faculty, staff, friends of the program and their families at the School of Government to welcome the newest cohort to the program and kick off the academic year at the annual UNC MPA Alumni Kick-Off Picnic! This is a family friendly event with tasty food and great conversation!
UNC MPA student Melissa Cordell has recently launched the Women in NC Government, available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Each month features a new profile of a remarkable woman in government making a positive impact on their community. Be sure to check it out! The first episode is with UNC MPA alumna, Cecily Hamilton who serves as the Strategic Initiatives Analyst for the City of Durham, NC!
Melissa started this project as good government is a passion of hers. She hopes this can lead to more innovations in government work, serve as an inspiration for professionals, and recognize amazing women in a wide range of public service roles in our state.
Melissa received her undergraduate degree from UNC Chapel Hill in Women’s and Gender Studies and is a current UNC MPA student in the online format. She just started a new role with the Congressional & Public Affairs Staff in the Office of Public Affairs & Consumer Education for USDA-FSIS.
The UNC School of Government’s Master of Public Administration Class of 2023 gathered with faculty, family, friends, and staff on May 13 to celebrate their graduation from the program. The ceremony, held at the William and Ida Friday Center, honored 64 graduates, both in-person and online students.
Honoring graduates
UNC MPA Director Willow S. Jacobson and School of Government Dean Aimee N. Wall welcomed and congratulated graduates for their achievements.
Carl W. Stenberg, James E. Holshouser Jr. Distinguished Professor of Public Administration and Government, presented the Wright Research Paper Award, honoring the legacy of its namesake—former faculty member and public administration visionary Deil S. Wright.
Stenberg presented the 2023 honor to Ben Lasley for his applied research project on Exploring Criteria for Assessing Collaborative Practices and Performance. Following graduation, Lasley will continue his career as an Environmental Protection Specialist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Exploring what is meaningful
Peggy Merriss ’82, Executive Director for the Georgia City-County Management Association, served as keynote speaker and discussed the importance of graduates exploring what work will be purposeful and fulfilling to them.
“Think about what meaningful work is to you and why you want to do it so that you have a guiding principle and true north—because while there are plenty of days ahead of you, there will be some that are extremely challenging,” she remarked.
Merriss encouraged graduates to think beyond the basic and simple, to search for what is meaningful, and to commit to creating positive change.
She closed remarks by urging the public service leaders sitting before her to contribute to making this positive change for all community members they serve.
“It is incumbent [of them] to do it not just for some people, but for the most people in the most equitable, engaging, way.”
Student takeaways
Following the ceremony, graduates Danielle Badaki, Sherese Bonner, and Ben Lasley expressed what they will take away from the MPA program.
“This program has taught me the power of relationships, the ability to work across boundaries, and a passion for helping others,” said Lasley. “I’m incredibly thankful that I found a wonderful support system in our cohort—lifelong friends.”
Bonner, a Presidential Management Fellow at the U.S. Department of Commerce, shared her gratitude for the program laying the groundwork to build a successful public service career.
“This program taught me how to translate my passions into purpose. As a result of the exposure I received in public administration through my jobs, professional work experience, and coursework, I now have a more defined career path that will set me up for success in the future.”
Badaki, a client specialist for Fountainworks, reflected upon the strength of community within the program.
“The MPA program allowed me to cultivate relationships and build critical skills to become a public servant. Through this program, I was able to build a community that supported me short-term, in my education, and long-term, through my career.”
The School of Government and UNC MPA program extend their congratulations and warm wishes to all graduates of the Class of 2023.
It has been a minute but we’re coming back to host a D.C. Happy Hour Hub! Come network with other UNC MPA’ers (and perhaps a prospective student or two) and have a beverage and bite on us.
When: April 26th, 2023
Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Where: Dacha Beer Garden, Washington D.C.
Registration is required. Please register HERE!
Connect with our community of distinguished leaders dedicated to service. MPA alumni, current students, prospective students, faculty, and staff are invited.
Grab a beverage and a lite bite and enjoy a great conversation in a virtual world!
When it was time for Maggie Bailey ’21 to look for her first post-MPA job, she didn’t have to look far. She found the right fit within the walls of the School of Government, joining the School’s Criminal Justice Innovation Lab as its second project manager. The role was a natural transition for Bailey after serving as a research assistant in the Lab as a student.
“The Lab has afforded me the opportunity to leverage skills I gained in the MPA program,” Bailey said. “The program does a great job bridging theory and practice. The practitioner’s lens is evident in all the work the School of Government does. It’s exciting to work on projects that directly support stakeholders and inspiring to see how those stakeholders make measurable changes.”
The Lab is one of 10 entrepreneurial initiatives at the School. These specialized, public-service oriented units focus on a variety of critical issues, including public service leadership, criminal justice, economic development and community revitalization, and environmental finance. They generate local government fellowships, produce public policy analysis, and educate public defenders. As this work expands and grows, these initiatives are forging deep connections with UNC MPA alumni and students to support their efforts.
Jess Dorrance (’04) returned to the School in 2021, joining the ncIMPACT Initiative as research director after working at the UNC Center for Community Capital. Returning to the School to work on research and evaluation was “such an easy decision” for Dorrance. With ncIMPACT and UNC’s Carolina Across 100 initiative, Dorrance has the chance to continue deploying skills she first learned as an MPA student.
“The curriculum, the things I learned, and the relationships that began with MPA have carried through the years,” Dorrance said. “At its essence, our work at the ncIMPACT Initiative is about collaboration. That was such a big part of MPA: working collaboratively with groups, with cohort members, and directly with organizations or communities to help them solve problems or address issues.”
MPA students engage in the work of entrepreneurial initiatives by serving as research assistants, graduate assistants, or conduct their Professional Work Experiences (PWEs) with initiatives, generating practical scholarship that leads to real-world impacts in North Carolina communities. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship that expands the work of initiatives, provides unique, hands-on learning experiences for students, and allows public officials to gain the resources they need.
“Our students move foundational research forward and take on projects that help us be responsive to stakeholder needs,” Bailey said. “Students learn about criminal justice in North Carolina and work on projects directly affecting people’s lives. We’re lucky to have programs like UNC MPA as partners.”
Bailey and Dorrance join other MPA alumni providing leadership to innovative entrepreneurial initiatives at the School. That list includes Dylan Russell ’17, executive director of Lead for North Carolina; Emily Williamson Gangi ’01, policy engagement director for the ncIMPACT Initiative; and Lydian Altman ’84, teaching assistant professor for the Center for Public Leadership and Governance. Each program benefits not only from the expertise of these alumni, but also from the practical skillset of the MPA students supporting them.
“Our team is fairly small, which allows us to be adaptable and responsive,” Dorrance said. “But we are tasked with completing a significant amount of work with limited staff capacity. The MPA students help boost that capacity and bring their enthusiasm, skills, and diverse perspectives to enhance our work.”
The School of Government is pleased to congratulate North Carolina native and UNC MPA graduate Philip Rogers ‘05 on his election as 12th chancellor of East Carolina University. Rogers’s appointment was formalized by the UNC System Board of Governors on December 17, 2020.
“Given my previous experience at ECU and the wide array of authentic relationships I’ve maintained with university stakeholders through the years, I am confident in my ability to be an asset to the university and region from day one,” Rogers said in a release from ECU. “It is also vital to lead with a listening ear and servant’s heart when considering the top priorities to address together as a university.”
Rogers graduated with his MPA from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2005. He earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Wake Forest University and a doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania.
“Philip’s election as 12th chancellor of East Carolina University is not by accident,” said MPA Program Director William Rivenbark. “From the time he matriculated as a student, Philip wanted to pursue a public service leadership position with passion. He also understood the importance of embracing a lifestyle of ethics, integrity, and hard work to serve others in our society. His role at ECU is an embodiment of our program’s mission statement to prepare future public service leaders. We are very proud of him.”
In nominating Rogers for the position, UNC System President Peter Hans described Rogers as “a driven leader who brings energy and vitality to ECU. He has broad national higher education experience and deep local roots in Greenville. Philip is invested in ECU for the long haul and will bring steady, stable leadership.”
Rogers previously served as chief of staff at ECU from 2008–13. Most recently, he served as senior vice president of learning and engagement for the American Council on Education (ACE) in Washington, D.C. While with ACE, he was responsible for the organization’s academic, research, and innovation strategy. Rogers is slated to begin his duties as ECU chancellor on March 15, 2021.
UNC MPA alumna and former School of Government Foundation Board member Elizabeth Biser ‘17 has been appointed Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Biser took her oath of office on July 1, 2021 in Raleigh.
“I am honored and humbled to lead the agency charged with providing environmental stewardship for the health and prosperity of all North Carolinians,” Biser said in a release announcing her appointment. “I look forward to working with key leaders, stakeholders and people throughout North Carolina to fulfil this important mission.”
Biser will be charged with oversight of North Carolina DEQ, which protects the state’s environment and natural resources. Its programs seek to safeguard air, water, land, coastal fisheries, and the public’s health; the agency also offers technical assistance and encourages responsible behavior and respect toward the environment. Her appointment is subject to confirmation by the North Carolina Senate.
Biser was appointed to the position by Governor Roy Cooper in late June. She most recently served as president of Biser Strategies LLC and senior policy advisor for The Recycling Partnership.
“Elizabeth Biser is a strong leader who has experience with this environmental agency and knows its critical work in North Carolina,” Cooper said upon Biser’s appointment.
Biser is a double graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, holding a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Public Administration. She has a strong background in environmental affairs. In addition to her work at Biser Strategies LLC, she served as vice president of policy and public affairs at The Recycling Partnership, government relations and policy director for Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard LLP, and as director of legislative and intergovernmental affairs at the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (the predecessor of DEQ). Biser served on the School’s Foundation Board from 2019 to 2021.