Join us for a UNC MPA General Information Session to learn more about our program, including our curriculum, student experience, and the wide range of career paths our graduates pursue. This session provides prospective students with an inside look at our supportive community, engaged faculty, flexible program options, and the co-curricular and professional development resources that help our students thrive. Whether you’re just beginning to explore graduate study or considering your next step in public service, this is a great opportunity to discover how UNC MPA can help you achieve your career goals.
Join us for an application workshop to talk through tips for putting together a strong application file for the UNC MPA program. Topics will include how to present your academic record effectively, crafting a personal statement, selecting strong recommenders, and avoiding common mistakes applicants make. There will be time for your questions, too!
Whether you’re just starting your application or in the final stages, this session will help you feel prepared before you hit submit.
Originally posted by Pam Moore, School of Government, September 9, 2026
Few people can say they’re skilled helicopter pilots. Fewer still can say they’ve carried out high-stakes search-and-rescue missions—or coordinated them.
Greg Waugh (MPA ’22) can say all of that. And on August 14, 2026, he added another accomplishment: taking command of U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Ventura.
His Coast Guard career gave him the technical skills and experience the role requires. But Commander Waugh credits UNC’s MPA program with giving him the organizational and leadership capabilities to meet the demands of a senior Coast Guard command position.
From Pilot to Leader
At 12, Waugh set his sights on becoming a pilot. “I remember seeing airplanes and helicopters flying around and decided that was something I wanted to do,” he recalled.
As an undergraduate at the Coast Guard Academy, he “fell in love with the Coast Guard’s missions,” he said. Once he graduated, he was commissioned as an officer. Two years later, he trained as a helicopter pilot, which qualified to fly search and rescue missions.
Waugh continued moving up the ranks, with a four-year stint on a counter-narcotics squadron, a role as executive assistant to an admiral, and later positions as operations officer and chief pilot at the Coast Guard’s San Diego air station.
As he advanced, Waugh knew he wanted to broaden his expertise beyond aviation, but to do that, he needed a graduate degree. While some of his peers pursued an MBA or an advanced engineering degree, an MPA was the clear choice for Waugh. “I knew it would apply both to my Coast Guard career as well as my potential future in government or nonprofit sectors.”
Choosing UNC
For Waugh, coming to UNC was a no-brainer. The university’s reputation was a draw, as was the fact that UNC was “clearly a military-friendly school,” he said. When researching his options, UNC also made clear that his tuition would be fully covered under the GI Bill.
UNC’s MPA program stood out for another reason: It was one of the few virtual programs with a live component. “I actually wanted to meet and connect with my cohort. With many programs, you write a check, submit some assignments, and you get a degree, but I was looking for more than that.”
More Than a Degree
UNC gave Waugh everything he came for—and more, including the flexibility to continue serving the military. “Occasionally I had to miss a class or needed to extend a deadline due to the Coast Guard, and everyone was super understanding and supportive of that.”
Just as importantly, multi-day on-campus intensives gave him the connection he had been looking for. During visits to Chapel Hill, Waugh met faculty members, heard guest lectures, and bonded with classmates outside the classroom—including over Coach K’s last regular-season Duke game, which he and members of his cohort watched together on Franklin Street. Those experiences deepened both his connection to the program and his commitment to public service.
Landon Lynch (MPA ’22), a Coast Guard Employee and Labor and Employee Relations Specialist and a classmate and friend of Waugh sees that commitment in Waugh’s career. At a challenging moment for public servants, Lynch said, Waugh has shown “the adaptability and the steadfast nature to stay and to want to rise and to want to be a leader.”
The relationships Waugh formed at UNC have also lasted well beyond graduation. He remains part of a group chat with classmates working across a range of industries, including Lynch, where they regularly turn to one another for professional advice and support.
Building the Skills to Lead
Courses in professional communication and mediation helped him speak and write more effectively, navigate conflict, and empower others. “I developed the skills to help people resolve their differences and move forward without having to file formal complaints,” he said.
The program also changed the way Waugh thinks about leadership. “Giving people, especially the younger generation, an opportunity to speak their mind, can create opportunities for growth.” Recalling a time when one of his direct reports shared his perspective on a challenging situation, Waugh said, “it was almost like a light switch. Now he’s performing at a high level.”
Meanwhile, the data analysis skills Waugh honed in the MPA sharpened his ability to leverage metrics to better serve the Coast Guard’s objectives. “As a senior officer I may need X, Y, or Z, for my air station. Being able to use data to explain the ‘why’ to senior leadership is a huge asset.”
Taking Command
Waugh was appointed to lead Air Station Ventura earlier this year by the Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Southwest District (covering California, Arizona, Nevada). Now, Waugh is responsible for the entire operation.
As air station commander, Waugh’s responsibilities are vast. His previous roles centered on carrying out search-and-rescue missions and, later, directing them.
“I’m responsible for the entire air station: three helicopters, 120 people, a $1.5 million budget,” said Waugh. “If things go south, the questions will be asked not of individuals but of the commanding officer.”
While Waugh acknowledges the pressures of the position, he relishes the opportunity to serve the members under his command. “It’s on me to give my team everything they need to complete their mission, plus the resources to advance their careers and take care of themselves and their families.”
Ultimately, Waugh hopes to create a culture where his team can see and pursue their own paths to leadership. “I want people, particularly the pilots, to want my job in the future,” said Waugh. “I want the ‘coasties’ under me to succeed. I want to promote a culture where they can achieve their personal and professional goals.”
Photographed above from left to right: Commander Amanda G. Sardone, Rear Admiral Jeffery W. Novak, Commander Gregory C. Waugh
Join us for a UNC MPA General Information Session to learn more about our program, including our curriculum, student experience, and the wide range of career paths our graduates pursue. This session provides prospective students with an inside look at our supportive community, engaged faculty, flexible program options, and the co-curricular and professional development resources that help our students thrive. Whether you’re just beginning to explore graduate study or considering your next step in public service, this is a great opportunity to discover how UNC MPA can help you achieve your career goals.
Join us for a UNC MPA General Information Session to learn more about our program, including our curriculum, student experience, and the wide range of career paths our graduates pursue. This session provides prospective students with an inside look at our supportive community, engaged faculty, flexible program options, and the co-curricular and professional development resources that help our students thrive. Whether you’re just beginning to explore graduate study or considering your next step in public service, this is a great opportunity to discover how UNC MPA can help you achieve your career goals.
Join us for our UNC MPA General Information Session to learn more about our program including our curriculum, student experience, and the wide range of career paths our graduates pursue. This session provides prospective students with an inside look at our supportive community, engaged faculty, flexible and customizable program options, and the co-curricular and professional development resources that help our students thrive. Whether you’re just beginning to explore graduate study or considering your next step in public service, this is a great opportunity to discover how the MPA can help you achieve your career goals.
By Hattie Lecka
As student interest in public service careers continues to grow at UNC-Chapel Hill, the School of Government is responding with a new academic pathway designed to prepare undergraduates for the work ahead. Beginning in fall 2026, the Law, Government, and Public Service Minor will give students a rigorous, practice-grounded foundation in the legal frameworks and institutional structures that shape how government and nonprofit organizations serve the public.
The program—taught by School faculty Dylan Russell, Chuck Szypszak, Jacqui Greene, and Shea Denning — is open to students across all majors and disciplines, whether they are considering law school, careers in public administration, or simply want to better understand how government affects everyday life. Faculty member Bill Rivenbark, who helped lead the creation of the minor, answers questions below about what inspired it, how it is structured, and what it means for the next generation of public leaders.
What inspired the creation of the Law, Government, and Public Service Minor at this moment in time?
Our aim is to fill a gap among UNC’s current minors, which are not specifically focused on understanding and analyzing the laws and structures that support government and nonprofit organizations. At the same time, strong student demand is clear: each year, our undergraduate course in State and Local Governance maintains a waiting list, reflecting growing interest in public service careers. This minor gives students a deeper understanding of how government and public-serving institutions work and knowledge that is valuable across a wide range of careers.
How does this program reflect UNC’s broader mission of public service?
UNC’s mission is to serve as a leading global public research university, fostering a culture of excellence in teaching, research, and public service. This minor aligns directly with that mission by preparing students to engage thoughtfully and effectively in public service, while also supporting the School of Government’s goal of strengthening state and local government across North Carolina.
How would you describe this minor to students who may not have initially considered careers in government or public service?
This minor is designed not only for students interested in law school, graduate programs in public administration or public policy, or careers in public service, but also for those who are undecided. It’s intended to be versatile. It gives all students valuable insight into how government and nonprofit systems operate, and how these systems affect their communities and professional fields.
How is the minor structured, and how do the courses work together to shape the student learning experience?
The minor requires 15 credit hours of permanent-numbered undergraduate coursework. Students complete two core courses that establish the essential foundations of the program, then choose three electives—at least one of which must be coded “GOVT” in the course registration system—allowing them some flexibility to tailor the experience to their interests.
Students come away with an understanding of the basic sources and structures of law, from constitutional and statutory law to case law, and they learn how to craft, analyze, and evaluate legal arguments. The curriculum also helps students apply theories that explain how government and nonprofit organizations meet public needs and how they interact at the local, state, and national levels.
How do School of Government faculty bring real-world public service experience into the classroom?
Our faculty engages in practical scholarship that helps public officials and citizens understand and strengthen state and local government. They bring extensive practical experience to the classroom. They offer annual trainings, publish books and reports, and advise public officials throughout North Carolina. This allows them to teach both the theory and practice of public service, giving students insight into how government and nonprofit organizations operate in real-world contexts.
What impact do you hope this minor will have on the next generation of public leaders?
The minor is designed to help undergraduates develop the aims to prepare students with the core skills and knowledge needed to become future public service leaders. By developing their ability to analyze complex issues and understand how institutions operate, the program equips graduates to take on public-facing roles and contribute effectively to government and nonprofit organizations. We hope this minor prepares graduates to lead with a strong understanding of how to make a meaningful impact in their communities.
The UNC School of Government is proud to celebrate the recognition of its Master of Public Administration program in the latest U.S. News & World Report “Best Graduate Schools” rankings.
Now in its 29th year, the UNC-Chapel Hill MPA has earned a 20th-place national ranking, placing it among the top public affairs graduate schools. The program’s strengths go beyond its overall ranking. UNC MPA maintains its prestigious second-place national ranking in the local government management specialty area—a position that demonstrates deep, longstanding expertise in one of the program’s signature disciplines. The program also increased its standing to 9th in the nation in public management and leadership and 15th in public finance and budgeting, moving up one and three spots, respectively.
These results recognize the program for its consistent performance at an elite level overall and across a range of critical specialty areas in public affairs education.
“We are honored to see the UNC MPA program recognized among the nation’s best public affairs programs. These rankings reflect the dedication of our faculty, students, alumni, and partners—whose commitment to public service excellence continues to elevate our program,” said Willow Jacobson, UNC MPA director. “The work of our faculty truly shapes the field of public administration in both theory and practice, and our students and alumni live our mission of being outstanding public service leaders.”
The rankings, released April 7, 2026, assess programs in the School of Government and the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Public Policy.
This year’s list saw many UNC-Chapel Hill graduate programs receive high rankings.
Find all of the U.S. News & World Report 2026 rankings online.
Join us for our UNC MPA General Information Session to learn more about our program including our curriculum, student experience, and the wide range of career paths our graduates pursue. This session provides prospective students with an inside look at our supportive community, engaged faculty, flexible and customizable program options, and the co-curricular and professional development resources that help our students thrive. Whether you’re just beginning to explore graduate study or considering your next step in public service, this is a great opportunity to discover how the MPA can help you achieve your career goals.
In this pre‑recorded Career Spotlight conversation, Allison Binkley and Shauna Hines‑Farmer, shared insights into career development, employer engagement, and the many ways the UNC MPA career team supports students as they prepare for impactful public service careers.
This career‑focused session offered prospective students an inside look at the MPA curriculum, career outcomes, and the supportive community that defines the program. Whether exploring graduate study or considering the next step in public service, viewers gained a clearer understanding of how the UNC MPA prepares graduates for meaningful and versatile careers.