Justin Guinta

Hometown: Monroe, CT & Storrs Mansfield, CT
Alma mater: University of Connecticut (UConn)

Undergraduate Degree(s): BA – Sociology, BS – Psychological Sciences, BA – Individualized: Criminal Behavior. Minors in Literary Translation and Public Policy

Q: What are your areas of interest in the program or career goals? 

Through the MPA program, I hope to gain further leadership experience in the public sector and understand the best management practices for government-based agencies. I aspire to work in law enforcement with a long-term goal of working in leadership. Along the way, I will use research to back my decision-making to increase equity, reduce corruption, and make our communities a safer place for all to call home.

Q: How did you discover the MPA degree?

My undergraduate studies (both inside the classroom and in professional experiences) allowed me to explore and identify pressing problems in government and society as a whole – it became clear to me that the next step is to learn how to properly address these issues. Pursuing a Master of Public Administration allows me to bridge theory with practice and provides me with the flexibility to gain professional experience while furthering my studies.

Q: Why did you decide to get your MPA at UNC? 

I originally did not think that UNC would be my home for the next two years until attending Admitted Students Day in March, and there were many reasons that led to my decision. First, a state as large as North Carolina allows for collaboration on all levels of government – Connecticut doesn’t have county government, so even that is a big change for me. I also chose UNC as the School of Government has a strong emphasis on practical experience and professionalism, both through employment and the mentorship program. The final selling point for me was both hearing and seeing how tight knit the cohorts are; community is a huge factor for me and I’m glad I am finding mine here!

Q: What are you reading/listening to this summer?

I’m a big fan of graphic novels, so I’m currently re-reading Daytripper by Gabriel Bá and Fábio Moon. I listen to a lot of music and I’d like to believe that I have a very diverse taste – anything from folk, indie, country, or even Brazilian pop. This summer, some of the many artists I’ve had on repeat are Chance Peña, Noah Kahan, Cody Carnes, Remi Wolf, Tyler Childers, Hans Williams, and Wilderado.