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

Korey Fisher-Wellman 2021

Burke County Director of Social ServicesBurke County GovernmentFirst and foremost the MPA from UNC helped to set me apart from other candidates, and was instrumental in helping me achieve my goal of becoming a county Director of Social Services. In addition, the program provided me with the framework and skills necessary to be an effective leader within the context of local government.

  • Local
  • Social Services

Hallee Haygood Class of 2021

Budget AnalystWake County“Carolina’s MPA prepared me for the workplace in a way that you can’t find anywhere else.”

  • Local
  • Finance and Budgeting

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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