Sammy Bauer 2021

Community Education CoordinatorTown of Chapel Hill – Stormwater DivisionAmong other things, the UNC MPA program teaches you how to ask the right questions. This skill helped bridge my past experience as a social studies teacher with my current role as a professional science communicator. Generalist in nature, the multidisciplinary approach of the program will set you up for success in whatever field you land in next.

  • Local
  • Education

Faith Brodie 2021

Director of Public Housing, Chapel HillTown of Chapel Hill, North CarolinaMy MPA has afforded me the opportunity to present myself as the person most organizations are in need of. I acquired analytical skills as well as excellent communication skills.

  • Local
  • Housing

Dolly Clayton 2021

Stanly County Director of Social Services/Assistant Health and Human Services DirectorStanly CountyMPA@UNC has encouraged my growth as a courageous leader to support my long-term leadership career goal of engaging the public and promoting policies to positively impact local communities.

  • Local
  • Public Health

Joshua Fernandez

Budget and Management AnalystTown of Hillsborough, NC“I am so grateful to UNC MPA for the career I have. The MPA Program is truly a family, connecting decades worth of alumni, faculty, and staff”

  • Local
  • Finance and Budgeting

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Korey Fisher-Wellman 2019

Director of Social ServicesBurke County “The MPA program at UNC equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and leadership insights crucial for navigating the complexities of public administration. It was the cornerstone in preparing me to serve as a County Director of Social Services, where every decision impacts lives and every action drives community welfare.”

  • Local
  • General Leadership
  • Social Services

Jennifer Fox Class of 2019

Senior Strategy & Performance AnalystCity of Raleigh, Office of Strategy & Innovation“When I entered the Program, I didn’t expect to make a lot of friends or connections – especially being in the online program. I’m still blown away by the MPA family I’m surrounded by today.”

  • Local
  • General Leadership

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Hallee Haygood Class of 2021

Budget AnalystWake CountyThe MPA program helped me grow in so many ways. The skills I learned in analysis impact my day to day work. The program creates highly-trained and highly-skilled alumni, which has helped me to stand out in my office. Whether it was the Excel bootcamp or Professor Afonso’s budgeting course, everything I learned during my time as a student impacts my work now. Additionally, the network of friends and colleagues the program provides allowed me to make connections at my current job, and the internships I held during my time as a student. Carolina’s MPA prepared me for the workplace in a way that you can’t find anywhere else.

  • Local
  • Finance and Budgeting

Gary (Donny) Hicks 2021

  • Local
  • Economic Development

Catherine Hughes 2021

Emergency Management CoordinatorGuilford County Emergency Management

  • Local
  • Emergency Management
  • Law Enforcement

Esther Manheimer ’94

Mayor & AttorneyThe Van Winkle Law Firm, Asheville, North Carolina“In the MPA program I learned how to listen to and understand where others are coming from. These skills are required to be an effective leader—and are helping me to navigate my community into the future.”

  • Local
  • General Leadership

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Michelle Mills 2021

Community Engagement and Diversity CoordinatorAlamance County Sheriff’s OfficeI would have never guessed that my journey during the last few years would lead to county communications and then to community engagement and diversity! I am so grateful for the MPA program as it has opened up interesting and challenging opportunities!

  • Local
  • Communications

Adam Moore

Deputy Director of ElectionsDavidson County Board of Elections The MPA program provided me with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to operate my department efficiently and effectively. Keeping public administration values in the forefront of my mind allows me to serve the public ethically and lead my team towards being the best we can be for our citizens.

  • Local
  • General Leadership