Laney Madison

Hometown: Georgetown, Kentucky 

Alma Mater: Centre College in Danville, Kentucky 

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Politics 

Where were you before you joined the MPA program? My work has focused on creating communities where children and families flourish. Over the past five years, I have served at research organizations focused on increasing opportunity and improving health outcomes for young people and communities. 

What are your areas of interest in the program? I am particularly interested in diving deeper into community and economic development. Specifically, I want to understand the mechanics of how to increase economic opportunity at the local level. I believe the skills-based focus of the MPA program will allow me to hone in on how I can increase efficiency, spark innovation, and ensure sustainability.  I am committed to growing my skills and knowledge so I can be a leader that increases prosperity for young people.

Why did you decide to get your MPA at UNC? I thoroughly appreciated UNC’s School of Government’s focus on serving the state of North Carolina through training and research through programs like Lead for North Carolina (LFNC). When learning more about the partnership between LFNC and the School of Government, a quote has stayed with me: “It’s the marriage of what our institutions need and what our young people want.” Finding a school that not only identifies problems but also collaborates with local communities to create solutions sealed the deal for me.