Avangelyne “Angel” Padilla

Angel is from Jacksonville, NC and earned a Bachelor in Social Work with a Minor in Africana Studies from UNC Charlotte.

Q1: Angel, you are finished with your MPA!  Congratulations, how does it feel?

It feels great! As a first-generation college student, I always knew I wanted to go to college, but it did not always feel possible. So to not only earn my bachelor’s degree, but to go on to get my MPA – it is a huge accomplishment. The program was definitely challenging in a good way, so I’m definitely a bit relieved, but mostly just proud and excited for this next chapter.

Q2: Tell us about your initial decision to pursue an MPA.  Did you consider other grad degrees?

I had considered a Master’s in Social Work and even thought about going to law school. Ultimately, I felt that an MPA was a better fit for my current interests and career goals. I chose UNC’s MPA program specifically because of its strong focus on local government – at the time, that was the only level of government I hadn’t had experience in yet, so it felt like the right next step. That said, I haven’t ruled out law school entirely; I may still pursue a law degree in the future!

Q3: What surprised you most about being a student on-campus?

What surprised me most was the difference between the undergrad and graduate student experience. In undergrad, it felt a lot easier to get involved on campus and in the community. But in grad school, even as an in-person student, it was still a challenge to stay engaged outside of class. With the heavier workload and balancing jobs, there just wasn’t as much time . That said, my colleagues in the UNC MPA program did an amazing job addressing that challenge. They were really intentional about planning cohort-wide and program-wide events to help us build community and stay connected with one another.

Q4: Can you tell us about a favorite class, specific project or experience, or meaningful professor in the program, and what you gained from it?

Dr. Pasha comes to mind, not just because of his Foundations class and the speakers he brought in to share their lived experiences, but also because of our work together during my research assistantship. He gave me the opportunity to gain practical experience and really see how the concepts we learned in class apply in the real world. He was not only a great teacher, but also a great supervisor, and I truly appreciated the chance to learn from him in and outside of the classroom.

Q5: What advice do you have for those considering going back to school or starting a career in public service?

For anyone considering a career in public service, I’d really encourage taking time to reflect and research whether it’s the right fit for you, and to think about how you want to serve. Public service can be incredibly meaningful, but it can also be emotionally demanding. It’s important to consider what kind of work you want to do, what kind of impact you hope to have, and what challenges you might face along the way. Whether it’s through nonprofits or a certain level of government, knowing your “why” can help guide your path and make the experience more sustainable and rewarding.

Q6: What are you looking forward to in your career?

I’m really looking forward to continuing to learn and grow; there’s still so much I haven’t experienced yet. I’m excited about the opportunity to take on new challenges, deepen my skillsets, and keep figuring out where I feel I can make the most impact.

Q7: And a fun question to end with.  What are you reading or listening or looking forward to most this summer?

This is my first time not being in school or juggling a bunch of commitments alongside work, so I’m looking forward to having some actual free time. I’m excited to enjoy the warm weather, explore the Triangle more, and hopefully pick up a few new hobbies!