Students at UNC MPA - Diverse & Committed to Public Service

UNC MPA students represent a variety of academic backgrounds and interest areas but are united by a desire to improve their communities through a career in public service. Some of our students choose to pursue a public administration degree before entering the workforce, while others seek to advance their career or change fields.

Meet Our Students

Our students are an accomplished and diverse group. Just over half of UNC MPA students are from North Carolina.

Student Life & Voices

Meet some of our students on our Student Voices page. We also invite you to learn more about student life and opportunities for engagement.

Student News

July 15, 2025

Current student Sarah Dhunjishaw is one of two students from North…

Sarah Dhunjishaw is originally from Colorado and received her undergraduate degree from Queens…

Student
General News

June 11, 2025

Student Spotlight on Meg McFadden

Meg is a current student from Naperville, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. She graduated from Butler…

Impact of Your Support Story
Student Profile
Student
General News

April 14, 2025

Water Resources Director using the MPA to help Town of Clayton

Joshua Baird loves working in local government. He is using his engineering expertise to enhance…

Student

Students at a Glance

167 Students Enrolled

59% Female Students

3.42 Average Undergraduate GPA

24% Underrepresented Minorities

48% Out-of-State Students

45 On-campus Students

What will you do with an MPA?

Program Outcomes

“The cohort experience is memorable. My classmates were some of the best and smartest people I’ve ever met. To be a part of that group is something special.”

—Thomas Bennett MPA ’20

“The greatest value I received from the MPA program was the connection with people, the connection with movers and shakers in government, the connection with people who see government as a proponent versus an opponent.”

—Marchell Adams-David ’92, City Manager, Raleigh, NC

Latest Student Blog Posts

July 18, 2025

Strengthening Strategy and Stewardship: Continuing My Summer with…

This blog post was written by current student Lilly Parker. In my first blog post, I shared…

Professional Work Experience (PWE)
NonProfit
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Policy
Non Profit
Students
Education

July 11, 2025

Recycling Project with NC DEQ

Meet Carlos Morales, a 2nd year student in the UNC MPA program. I grew up in Columbia, SC,…

Environmental Affairs
State Government
Students

July 11, 2025

Behind the Badge: Supporting Police Operations through Policy and…

This post was written by current student Tyler Holden….

Students
Professional Work Experience (PWE)
Administration
Community Engagement
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Policy

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