Lorenzo Pedro, UNC MPA current student
Dr. Maureen Berner, and UNC MPA student and current physician, Dr. Amro Ilaiwy were published in the North Carolina Pharmacist, official journal of the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists. The Journal is a resource for pharmacists and health professionals in North Carolina, providing drug and practice information from across the state and around the world.
Their piece, “Who Gets What? Drivers of Emergency Room Use and Access to Medication Assistance Programs in North Carolina.”, is an analysis of Prescription Assistance Programs in North Carolina and their effect on healthcare use based on the volume of local emergency room visits.
“Having professors collaborate with students with a wide variety of backgrounds, just getting started on their careers or seeing how to apply their current specialty in a new way via applied research projects is a win-win-win for students, faculty, and communities in North Carolina” said Dr. Berner.
Dr. Ilaiwy was the driving force behind this publication, and Dr. Berner aided in the research process.
“As a physician who provided care to many patients via the Cumberland County Medication Access Program (CCMAP), I saw tremendous value in gaining better understanding of how these programs work and identifying opportunities for improvement. Dr. Berner inspired me to conduct a program evaluation as part of the PUBA720 class in hopes of bridging the knowledge gap both on a local and state level” Dr. Ilaiwy states.
Two major findings came out of this research. The first finding was that residents within rural counties utilize emergency services at a higher volume than residents in urban counties. Dr. Ilaiwy describes this discovery can be attributed to lack of access to urgent care or primary care facilities in rural areas. Moreover, residents of rural counties are less likely to have adequate or health insurance in general. The second finding presented in the publication was there appeared to be no association between increased access to medication assistance programs in rural counties and lower ER visit volumes per capita.
Dr. Ilaiwy warns, “One caveat to note here is higher numbers of MAP sites within a county may simply reflect declining insurance coverage and increased need for prescription assistance.”
This collaboration allowed Dr. Ilaiwy to develop a deeper understanding of program evaluation. He was also able to gain experience working with, collecting, and analyzing data.
“Students like Amro support my love of working with our students as much as (I hope) my working with him has allowed him to advance is passion for helping people live better and longer lives” states Dr. Berner.
by Stephen Wright
This year, an MPA student with a record of service and dedication to the public interest was recognized with the prestigious Harvey Beech Scholarship.
As a child welfare advocate and online student in the Master of Public Administration program here at the School of Government, Angelica Foster feels that the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and especially the UNC MPA program, was the only choice she could have made in pursuit of her master’s degree. To her, becoming a 2024 recipient of the UNC Harvey Beech Scholarship solidified that choice and builds upon the legacy of the first African American to graduate from the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Law.
The Harvey Beech Scholarship is awarded annually to UNC-Chapel Hill students interested in careers in law. Recipients are selected based on academic progression, GPA improvement, and contributions to campus life. Only five Carolina students receive the award per year.
The award is named for Harvey Beech, who was born in Kinston, North Carolina, in 1923. He attended Harris Barber College in Raleigh and later Morehouse College in Atlanta alongside Martin Luther King, Jr. In 1950, Beech was asked to join a court case that would ultimately lead to him and four other African American students being admitted to UNC School of Law in 1951. Beech graduated in 1952 and had a successful career as a criminal defense and personal injury lawyer for more than 35 years, becoming a well-regarded civic leader in his hometown of Kinston. Beech would ultimately pass away in 2005, having paved the way for other African American students to attend and transform UNC-Chapel Hill.
Foster saw a kinship with Harvey Beech’s advocacy and serves as a child welfare advocate herself. Her belief that no child should go through the pains of abuse and mistreatment, along with deeply personal experience with the issue, informs her desire to one day serve as a family court judge and be avoice for children. For her, public service means becoming a “force for leadership and change,” rising to occasion and paving the way forward.
For Foster, receiving this scholarship is more than a means of furthering her own public service goals; it is a testament to all that African Americans have done, and must still do to create a place for themselves at Carolina.
“My ancestors built this university but could not attend it,” said Foster. “They built this university and did not have a choice. Harvey Beech paved the way forward.” She also highlights that as a Black woman, “It’s not about glass ceilings, it’s almost like cement; it’s just that much harder. I do this because my ancestors could not, and to pave the way for my own daughter and others to come.”
We look forward to celebrating all of your accomplishments! The ceremony will start at 10 am in the Frank Porter Graham Student Union Auditorium, with lunch to follow for graduates and their guests in the Knapp-Sanders Dining Room.
Join UNC MPA in Raleigh to (re)connect with MPA alumni, students, prospective students, faculty, and staff for drinks, lite bites, and great conversation for our Happy Hour Hub at Trophy Brewing on Morgan Street. First round and nibbles are on us, register HERE!
Trophy Brewing
827 W Morgan Street
Raleigh, NC 27603
If you would like to help organize a Happy Hour Hub in your community, contact Brandon Foster at foster@sog.unc.edu or 919.962.0426.
This January the UNC MPA program welcomed 21 new students into the program.
Read about a few of them below.
Hometown: Morganton, NC (currently resides in Durham, NC)
Alma mater: UNC Greensboro
Lorenzo Pedro, UNC MPA current student
Degree: BA Psychology, minors in Photography and Spanish
Current Job Title:
Legislative Liaison for the North Carolina Department of Transportation
What are your areas of interest in the program?
My primary areas of interest involve enhancing my leadership skills to succeed in diverse professional environments while leveraging my background in curating and drafting legislation to deepen my understanding of policy implementation within an MPA program. This knowledge can be applied effectively in both the private sector and across different levels of government.
Why did you decide to get your MPA at UNC?
I chose UNC’s MPA Program because it is nationally recognized and offers students the opportunity to interact with professors and instructors who have extensive knowledge and real-world experience in public administration. The program’s flexibility caters to professionals like myself, allowing us to utilize our skilled backgrounds to engage in meaningful discussions and connect with fellow students. Moreover, UNC promotes an environment that encourages understanding of diverse perspectives, ultimately broadening our awareness of what is important in public administration.
Hometown: Charlotte, NC (currently resides in Washington, D.C.)
Alma mater: Tulane University
Degree: BA Sociology, Jewish Studies, minor in Political Science
Current Job Title:
Associate Regional Director for BBYO
What are your areas of interest in the program?
When researching graduate programs in my area of interest, I immediately noticed that MPA at UNC truly has it all. The program’s focus on developing public service leaders despite their current occupation or interests stood out to me. As an aspiring nonprofit executive, I was originally hesitant to be entering a government-focused space, but upon looking through the curriculum and meeting my peers, I knew MPA@UNC was the right fit. I am confident I will gain skills in nonprofit management, organizational theory, financial management and general public service while learning from peers and instructors who serve in an array of public service jobs.
Why did you decide to get your MPA at UNC?
What stood out to me most about MPA@UNC was their focus on people. During my interview, Cara Robinson, director of admissions, mentioned that they are one of the few virtual graduate MPA programs that goes through an interview process. She explained that the reason for this is because, despite being completely virtual, they want to build a strong cohort of driven leaders. Graduate school, like undergrad, should not only be about learning texts and completing exams, it should also focus on the ability to engage and learn from classmates with varying backgrounds on a personal level. MPA@UNC is unique as it found a way to accomplish this completely virtually, allowing students to continue their full-time careers while getting the most out of a graduate program. I look forward to the ways in which MPA@UNC will allow me to grow as a public service leader.
Hometown: Currently resides in Fort Huachuca, Arizona
Alma mater: Florida State University
Degree: BA International Affairs
Current Job Title:
Military Intelligence Officer, United States Military
What are your areas of interest in the program?
My greatest areas of interest at this time are the degree concentrations in local government and nonprofit management. As I plan my transition from the military and into the real world, I find myself drawn to fields where I can still find purpose in serving the community and supporting the common good. Both the local government and nonprofit fields allow me those opportunities, and though I’ve learned a lot from my time in the military, I admittedly possess a lot of knowledge gaps regarding nonprofit and local government affairs. I look forward to learning all I can about both fields while enrolled with UNC.
Why did you decide to get your MPA at UNC?
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is known throughout the country as a prestigious institution and from my experience carries an even higher degree of prestige throughout the southeastern United States. This level of institutional renown and the local government program’s top national ranking made the MPA@UNC an easy choice when it came time to decide where to enroll.
Thursday, February 2, 2023
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Tate’s Craft Cocktails
279 W. 4th Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
If you’re in town for the NCCCMA Winter Seminar, or if you are simply in town, join us for our first Happy Hour Hub of 2024! There is no charge but PLEASE let us know you’re coming by registering HERE. If you would like to help organize a Happy Hour Hub in your community, contact Brandon Foster at foster@sog.unc.edu or 919.962.0426.
Thursday, February 1, 2024 – 7:30 a.m.
M.C. Benton Convention Center, Gaines 2
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
This annual event hosted during the North Carolina City-County Managers Winter Conference is a great opportunity to (re)connect with MPA alumni, faculty, and staff, and to meet current students.
You don’t need to be registered for the conference to attend the breakfast, however, you do need to register by going HERE, scroll down and click the Register Now button below City and County Management Seminar. You may need to create a login and password but once you’ve done that, you’ll see an option to register for the breakfast.
If you are having any issues, you can reach out to Brandon at 919.962.0426 who can help you through the process.
This December the UNC MPA program will be welcoming 17 new graduates into our alumni community.
Read about a few of them below.
Amanda Wesson, UNC MPA Class of 2023
Hometown: Wake Forest, NC
Alma mater: North Carolina Central University
Degree: BA Psychology, MEd Communication Disorders
What’s your current title, and what do you do?
I am a speech-language pathologist of over a decade who most recently assessed preschoolers as part of a transdisciplinary team for a local school system. In this work, I used play therapy techniques to elicit responses for assessments to help determine young children’s needs. I also recently worked as an early childhood policy analyst with a non-profit organization. There, I helped coordinate events for legislators, synthesized information and provided policy considerations on various topics related to child care and early education.
What are your plans after graduation?
I recently signed on with Wake County Budget and Management Services to become a Budget and Management Analyst beginning in January! There, I will work closely with department staff to evaluate funding and program requests, collaborate to develop alternatives, and recommend approaches that align with the County’s overall objectives. I plan to engage in continuous learning activities and also hope to maintain my license and certification as a speech-language pathologist.
Looking back on who you were at the start of the program to who you are now, how have you changed?
Wow, it feels like so long ago, but I began this process as a direct provider and clinician. I knew I had a heart for public service and always strived to produce outcomes for public benefit. My experience led me to look at each case with an individualized lens. With the knowledge and connections I’ve gained from this program, I now have a head for public service—I’ve gained technical skills, theoretical frameworks, and practical experience. More than that, I’ve opened up myself to all the possibilities and ways I can contribute to my community and the communities of those I serve.
What is one class, one project, one faculty member, one experience, one discussion, or some other aspect of our program that had an impact on you and proved to be meaningful in your professional life?
I entered this program with a general idea of which direction I thought it would take me. However, I became interested in budget and management while taking PUBA 731 – Public Financial Management, taught by Monica Allen. I assumed it would be merely accounting, but it is much more comprehensive. It encompasses data, strategy, stakeholder and citizen engagement, problem-solving, and writing—many of the things that attracted me to the field of speech-language pathology. In taking this course, I realized how I could make a more significant impact at a macro level to support systems that provide education, public health, and human services.
A brief quote or piece of advice for those considering the UNC MPA or a career in public service?
The UNC MPA program has been instrumental in shaping my journey from a seasoned speech-language pathologist to an emerging public administrator in budget and management services. Embrace the opportunity to broaden your horizons, as the skills and insights gained here will empower you to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.
Shane Rudloff, UNC MPA Class of 2023
Hometown: Denver, CO
Alma mater: Ohio State University
Degree: BS International Relations
What’s your current title, and what do you do?
I am currently a Senior Grant Writer at a nonprofit called Growing Home in Westminster, CO. I build relationships with funders and secure grants for our programs which include a food pantry, a community garden, housing assistance, and early childhood education resources.
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation I’d like to pursue a career in local government, preferably at the City Manager’s Office where I can interact with all kinds of stakeholders that work with government. I live by learning and enjoy observing the contexts and perspectives of different experts and professionals in the public sector.
Looking back on who you were at the start of the program to who you are now, how have you changed?
Looking back at who I was before I started the program, I’d say I’m much more cognizant of the inner workings of how the government operates. I was originally aware of the surface level details (elections, bills becoming law, politics, etc.), but now I understand there’s more that goes into getting things done (budgets, hiring the right people, working with private contractors, etc.). I have a more holistic view of how the public sector works.
What is one class, one project, one faculty member, one experience, one discussion, or some other aspect of our program that had an impact on you and proved to be meaningful in your professional life?
I would say that one class/experience that really stood out to me during my time at UNC was the immersion. I loved the opportunity to get to meet some of my peers in person which is a rarity for an online student. There I was able to meet some incredible professionals and people, and I am still very close friends with some of my classmates.
A brief quote or piece of advice for those considering the UNC MPA or a career in public service?
This is a pathway that provides an opportunity to help shape the way communities, states, and nations operate. It will make you a person people turn to when they are looking for solutions, and you will do little things daily that contribute to improving something. I take pride in that fact, and that is what public service is all about.
Joanthan Hill, UNC MPA Class of 2023
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Alma mater: Duke University
Degree: Public Policy and History
What’s your current title, and what do you do?
My current title is Executive Director of Keep Charlotte Beautiful. I’m a full-time employee of the City of Charlotte, but it’s a little like running a nonprofit within the city government. The program has a City Council-appointed board, its own social media channels, and conducts some fundraising. An AmeriCorps service member (whom I manage) and I run numerous, community-driven initiatives related to litter prevention, waste reduction, and beautification.
What are your plans after graduation?
Throughout the MPA program, I’ve been able to apply lessons learned from class to greatly expand the programming scope and offerings of Keep Charlotte Beautiful. I hope to continue that after graduation. Two of my goals for the coming year are to launch a resident-operated ‘Friends of Keep Charlotte Beautiful’ spin-off nonprofit to enable easier fundraising for the program and to implement an in-depth litter study using our city’s Solid Waste Services department and students from UNC-Charlotte.
Looking back on who you were at the start of the program to who you are now, how have you changed?
When I applied for the program, I had just learned that I had received funding to hire an AmeriCorps service member for the first time, and wanted to hone in my leadership skills. The MPA program has enabled me to do that and more. In some instances, the MPA program enabled me to put a theoretical name to practices I was already implementing. In many others, it enabled me to consider new ideas and new ways of managing. I have become a more strategic-thinking, results-driven, and public-oriented manager because of it.
What is one class, one project, one faculty member, one experience, one discussion, or some other aspect of our program that had an impact on you and proved to be meaningful in your professional life?
As I mentioned to my oral exam panel, the idea of inspiring a shared vision from Kouzes and Posner’s The Leadership Challenge has stuck with me. Much of the work I do is collaborative, but a lot of it is driven by me, rather than being driven with the help of others. That message has reoriented my focus towards public engagement. In other words, I have what I think are a lot of great ideas, but they may not be what the public wants or even needs. Deploying a consensus-driven approach to tackling wicked problems provides for a more meaningful solution while broadening my perspective as a public servant.
A brief quote or piece of advice for those considering the UNC MPA or a career in public service?
Always consider how you might apply the lessons learned in class to your day-to-day work. Putting those theories to practice not only helps you learn more about them, it enables you to determine what works best for you.
Julia Murphy, UNC MPA Class of 2023
Hometown: Pittsfield, MA
Alma mater: Providence College
Degree: BA in Political Science, Minor in Public and Community Service Studies
What’s your current title, and what do you do?
I am a Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary at the United States Department of Commerce. I directly support the Deputy Secretary by overseeing his external engagements, supporting the day-to-day operations of the office, and advising on policy matters. As a political appointee in the Biden-Harris Administration, most of our work is centered around advancing and implementing the President’s priorities.
What are your plans after graduation?
I’m only three months into my current job so I’m hoping to stay for a while! I was working in the Massachusetts State Legislature when I began the program, so making the leap to the federal government and working in the executive was a goal that I had for a while and I’m grateful I was able to achieve while obtaining my MPA.
Looking back on who you were at the start of the program to who you are now, how have you changed?
My time in the program has reaffirmed that I want to be in public service for as long as I can. Taking classes while getting real-world experience allowed me to develop a public administration lens that I use every day to think about challenges, potential solutions, and how to move the needle forward. My decisions are directly informed by the frameworks and practical applications that I encountered in my courses. My ability to communicate concisely and effectively has significantly improved, and taking a deep dive into my leadership abilities has given me tremendous confidence both personally and professionally.
What is one class, one project, one faculty member, one experience, one discussion, or some other aspect of our program that had an impact on you and proved to be meaningful in your professional life?
This is such a hard question because I have genuinely learned so much from every professor, class, and classmate I’ve had! I think back to Prof. Julie Bregman’s Institutions and Values course that I took in my first semester of the program where we talked about equity as a core and competing value of public administration. When talking about equity versus effectiveness, I remember having a lightbulb moment where I said something along the lines of, “If programs aren’t working for the people they are intended to serve equitably, are they effective at all?” From this point forward, equitable public administration has been top of mind for me and has driven my focus areas in the program and the way that I think about the world, and is something I hope I can continue to foster as a public service leader. Government is a powerful tool to help people, and I would push back on anyone who claims that you can’t have equity and efficiency at the same time. It may not be easy, but it is our job as leaders to find a way forward.
A brief quote or piece of advice for those considering the UNC MPA or a career in public service?
The answer to both is simple — do it! There are a lot of complex challenges that our world faces and we need bold, courageous, thoughtful, and visionary leaders to take those challenges on. The UNC MPA equips you with the tools to tackle those problems, and you learn from the best and brightest faculty and classmates. Public service is an honorable undertaking and allows you to make an impact on other people’s lives in a way that other professions don’t offer. The MPA program was one of the best choices I’ve made and I feel incredibly well-prepared for wherever my path may take me.
This Fall we welcomed 29 new students into the online format of our MPA. They come from different geographic regions, bring varied interests and experiences, and we are so happy they chose us. Read about 3 of them here!
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Alma mater: UNC-Chapel Hill
Degree: Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy
Where were you before you joined the MPA program?
I attend the online MPA@UNC program from Nashville, Tennessee where I lead education and outreach efforts for Metro Nashville Waste Services, a division of metropolitan government. I develop waste reduction programs and promote resilient waste, recycling, and composting collection for Nashville residents.
I was born and raised in San Diego, California and I attribute my passion for local environmental regulation from growing up surrounded by these policies in my own community. I took this passion with me to Chapel Hill when I attended Carolina for my undergraduate studies in Public Policy and Environmental Studies. I would not be where I am without the expertise and guidance from UNC Public Policy faculty, and I am thrilled to be returning virtually to Carolina to further my skills for public service.
What are your areas of interest in the program?
I was drawn to the MPA@UNC program because of its clear focus on building public service leaders. I have already enjoyed meeting fellow public servants in my first semester classes – some of my classmates are city planners, librarians, civil affairs officers, municipal information technology managers, and elected officials. I enjoy opportunities to get to know my classmates and learn from their specialized experiences within public service.
I also plan to concentrate in Local Government, which includes coursework such as City and County Management, Productivity Improvement in Local Government, and Governmental and other Nonprofit Accounting and Reporting. I look forward to learning a deeper understanding of local government structure and function through this coursework.
Why did you decide to get your MPA at UNC?
Through my combination of undergraduate and professional work experience in waste reduction, I envision a career path for myself championing solid waste regulation to serve communities across the United States. The MPA@UNC curriculum provides the academic and public service framework that will position me for greater professional success in this field.
It is an honor to be furthering my public administration education at my alma mater and the country’s first public university. I value that Carolina faculty are committed to understanding and improving government.
Hometown: Richmond, Virginia
Alma mater: Hampton University
Degree: Bachelor’s degree in Finance
Where were you before you joined the MPA program?
Before I joined the MPA program I was doing a few things. First, I am currently a Bank Examiner at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. Second, I am a JV Football Coach at Glen Allen High School. For me this is my day-to-day life, and those two roles definitely keep me busy.
What are your areas of interest in the program?
There are many things about the program that interest me but so far my intro to public administration course has kept my attention the most. To see the connection between how governments interact with each other has super interesting and has opened my eyes to the roles we can play in public administration.
Why did you decide to get your MPA at UNC?
I decided to get my MPA from UNC because I have always wanted to be a Tarheel. My parents used to bring to the football games as a kid and I loved the Tarheel spirit. In addition to that, my mentor at the Federal Reserve went through the MPA program here and loved it! So I truly only had one option.
Hometown: Royal Oak, Michigan
Alma mater: Michigan State University
Degree: Bachelor’s degree in Social Relations and Policy
Where were you before you joined the MPA program?
I graduated from Michigan State University in 2014 with an undergraduate degree in Social Relations and Public Policy. I then began working at a high school in Detroit through the College Advising Corps, an AmeriCorps program. After my AmeriCorps service ended, I moved to Washington, DC, where I began working in program operations at the Relay Graduate School of Education—a nonprofit institution of higher education that provides a variety of professional development programs to teachers and school leaders across the country. I now live back home in Metro Detroit.
What are your areas of interest in the program?
I have greatly enjoyed the trajectory of my career thus far, working in direct community outreach, program operations, and partnership development. I am eager to get better at the work that I have been doing and to learn how to be a stronger leader at public service institutions. The MPA@UNC covers topics that I am interested in—for example, how can I be a strong organizational leader, particularly in the nonprofit space? How can I better collect, interpret, and react to data? How can I be a good steward of public dollars?
Why did you decide to get your MPA at UNC?
The MPA@UNC was my top choice when looking at graduate programs. This program is offered online, which would allow me to stay in Michigan, stay in my current role, and ensure a strong alumni network both in and out of North Carolina. The interactive structure of the program ensures that I will have the opportunity to engage in the material, not just complete asynchronous assignments. Finally, I was excited at the opportunity to visit campus and meet fellow students at an Immersion weekend on campus.
Students take a sip from The Old Well on the first day of classes on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. August 21, 2023.
(Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)
The waning days of August bring new academic terms for students enrolled in both the on-campus and online formats of the UNC Master of Public Administration program. UNC MPA students represent a wide range of professional experiences, academic disciplines, interests, and career ambitions—but all are bound by a common interest in public service.
Below, we caught up with some of the newest Tar Heels joining the program this fall both in-person and remotely. Read on to meet a few of these current and future public service leaders.
Hometown: Denver, North Carolina
Alma mater: UNC-Chapel Hill
Degree: Bachelor’s degree in psychology and English with a minor in creative writing
Where were you before you joined the MPA program?
Prior to returning to UNC, I was participating in a two-year fellowship with the Town of Spencer through the School of Government called Lead for North Carolina. I am continuing to work for the Town while I complete my MPA.
What are your areas of interest in the program?
My primary interests are community development, resident-retaining downtown development, public art, and placemaking projects. I am currently in the process of developing a downtown mural walk in Spencer that will encourage visitors to the North Carolina Transportation Museum to come across the street and engage with the community.
Dual degree with City/Regional Planning
Hometown: Coral Springs, Florida
Alma mater: Florida Atlantic University
Degree: Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in political science
Where were you before you joined the MPA program?
Before graduating (from FAU), I was involved with two organizations: Color of Change and Florida Student Power Network. These groups are what really got me involved in community organizing and gave me a first-hand view of problems in my community. I saw how little trust community members had in the government to enact effective change and wanted to act as a bridge between community needs and actions. After graduating, I continued working with those organizations as well as others, where I got to lobby in Tallahassee with state legislatures, participate in monthly citizenship drives to help immigrants in South Florida gain citizenship, and other community organizing efforts.
Why did you decide to get your MPA at UNC?
I knew I wanted to stay in the South to see how other states were handling their own issues and how those solutions could translate to Florida, so that is what drew me to North Carolina. UNC’s MPA program emphasizes practice and theory in a way that is unique from other programs; that made me confident that I would be equipped upon graduating with the skills I need to be an effective advocate for the communities that I want to fight for. I am most interested in community and economic development at either the local or state levels because of my specific focus on being an advocate for the most disenfranchised groups in Florida.
Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina
Alma mater: Appalachian State University
Degree: Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice
Why did you decide to get your MPA at UNC?
During my time as an intern with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, I was able to interact with high-achieving department officers, many of whom I found had something in common: a master’s degree in public administration. After this experience, I realized to become the best law enforcement officer I could be, as well as reach the highest levels of law enforcement, I too would need to attain an MPA.
I initially had many questions about how I would fit into UNC’s MPA program, as a career in law enforcement is atypical of UNC MPA students. (Director of Admissions) Cara Robinson answered all my questions and put me in contact with current students, who assured me that the program would be beneficial to my career aspirations. A constant refrain that I heard attached to the UNC MPA program was that once you were a part of the program as a student, the program would do everything in its power to help you succeed. This gave me a great sense of comfort with the program and made the decision to attend UNC a simple one.
What are your areas of interest in the program?
I am interested in a career in federal law enforcement after the MPA program. Leadership is invaluable to law enforcement. Being able to communicate professionally, work within and lead a team, and inspire fellow officers and citizens are all critical components of leadership in policing and are skills that I am confident will be sharpened through the MPA program.
Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama
Alma maters: Mississippi State University (B.A., M.A.), University of Southern Mississippi (MLIS)
Degrees: Bachelor’s degree in English, Master of Arts, Master of Library and Information Science
Why did you decide to get your MPA at UNC?
I decided to get my MPA at UNC because I want to build my leadership skills and learn more about how to build strong foundations for public organizations. I have seen what solid ground-level support can do for an organization, and I want to become that source of support in the organizations where I work. I am also really interested in building community both within organizations and between public entities and their communities. I love this work and want to build my strategic planning, organizational management, and personnel management skills.
What are your areas of interest in the program?
I am currently the library director at the Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library, a municipal library in Clayton, North Carolina. I am especially interested in organizational management, internal communications, and community engagement. I believe that organizations that focus on building strong, connected teams are effective and responsive to the public.