This post was written by first year student, Julia Warren.
My experience this first year was incredible to say the least! This journey so far has been extremely rewarding. The MPA Program at UNC-CH is truly exceptional, and I know I made the right decision by accepting my admission into the program. While attending graduate school is no easy feat, I was eager for a challenge academically. Getting my MPA is the best decision I have ever made because I can already tell it has helped me professionally for my future career.
My classmate Matt Begley had a similar experience when he stated, “When I first applied to the program, I only knew that I was looking to develop a career in public service. I did not expect to meet as excellent colleagues as I have and receive the chance to work and help as many different organizations as I have. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to attend the UNC School of Government, and I am excited to see where this path takes me.” – Matt Begley, MPA Candidate.
All of my courses this year were truly captivating. The course work is designed to be applied to real-world scenarios. First year student Skye Allan stated, “The MPA Program has helped me take the practical knowledge I’ve gained working in local government and understand the framework and theories that make it all happen” . Stephen Wright elaborates further on how the program is helping to interpret his experiences in the public sector. “Coming from the Lead for North Carolina Fellowship, the MPA is helping me take what I learned working in the field and breaking down and reworking it in the classroom. This is preparing me for leadership position in the future.” – Stephen Wright, MPA Candidate.
One of my favorite courses was PUBA 710 Organizational Theory taught by Dr. Willow Jacobson. I learned so much from this course, and it introduced me to an excellent non-profit that I am eyeing for future work. This course requires a semester-long project in which you conduct interviews with an organization of your choice and write two essays diagnosing that organization based off of class concepts. Another course that I thoroughly enjoyed was PUBA 723 Human Resource Management, taught by Dr. Leisha DeHart-Davis. The material for this course was very engaging and peaked my interest with its collaboration requirement. Our piject which you and a group of your peers worked together on supported a client of Dr. DeHart-Davis’ Local Government Workplaces Initiative. My team worked with Guilford County focusing on Employee Engagement.
The professors are all experts and practitioners within their respective niches in public administration. The environment in the MPA Program at UNC is unlike any other, and the expertise of the professors is unmatched. As my classmate Alyssa Pacheco found, “The professors in the program are some of the most brilliant public service minds and hearts. I love that they push us to be better in not just what we learn, but what we do, how treat others, and support our community. That’s the crux of our field.”
Our cohort is nicknamed the “clapping cohort” as we are always cheering on each other, professors, and faculty. The atmosphere within the School of Government is the most supportive I have ever been part of. There are no rankings, and it is not a competitive environment like some other graduate schools. We all just want to see each other thrive and be the best public servants they can be.
This summer I will begin my Professional Work Experience in May at the Recycling Partnership. This experience will allow my to apply the skills I have learned in Analysis and Evaluation I and II. It will also be my first time working in a non-profit, which I am very excited about. I am incredibly grateful for being granted this opportunity which may have not been possible without joining the MPA Program at UNC.
I am currently working on a couple of projects including getting out the newsletter, collecting success stories for future reference, and creating a summary of key issues in the state budget. So far, I have found my Professional Work Experience to be an incredibly rewarding and flexible internship with the state government. I feel that I am putting my academic experience in the MPA program to use in the PWE and withnessing first-hand how public administration theories are implemented outside of the classroom. Classes like the budgeting class have been extremely helpful in navigating funding and economic policies. I would say the biggest challenge in completing any PWE is to make sure that you have great time management skills, which is a must when working and completing school work at the same time. I personally use google calendar and categorize my calendar based on the topic (i.e., work, school, appointments). I also keep a running task list based on the priority of the task. For example, the newsletter is due at the end of each month so I try to do it ahead of time especially when I also have coursework due. The PWE has been so helpful in learning more about how state government works and exposing me to networking and giving me opportunity to practice balancing being a student while holding two part-time jobs. I recently finished my mid-experience check-in and I am looking forward to applying what I have learned in the PWE to my Applied Research Problem course!
Andrew Stephen Wright is a current first-year student in the UNC MPA program. Born and raised in North Carolina, his tenure at UNC began as an undergraduate student, where he double majored in Peace, War, and Defense and History. After graduating in 2021, he joined the Lead for North Carolina fellowship program and worked in the Ashe County Government planning department for two years. He is interested in local government management.
Each year, the UNC MPA program sponsors students to participate in conferences—including the North Carolina City and County Management Association (NCCCMA) seminar—and other networking events that support their interests and enhance their learning.
by Andrew Stephen Wright.
The NCCCMA annual winter seminar is always an opportunity to engage with and learn from our state’s vast array of public service professionals. I’ve attended two years in a row, first as a Lead for North Carolina fellow with Ashe County and now as an MPA student at the UNC School of Government, and I can definitely say it’s an almost mandatory event for an aspiring public servant in North Carolina. This year’s seminar offered fresh opportunities to learn about the issues facing our local governments in 2024, with sessions ranging from harnessing AI to provide more equitable and efficient services to strategies for winning competitive federal grant funds.
Two sessions, in particular, stood out to me for how they play into the changing face of local governments across our state. The School of Government’s own Leisha DeHart-Davis gave an in-depth look into the role of emotional labor in the everyday work of public servants, a concept we had just begun to study in her PUBA 723 course at the school. The ability to project calm and manage one’s emotions is, without a doubt, an asset to public service organizations, and this session ended up building off our class discussions on how to manage emotional labor without burning out.
I also had the opportunity to attend a session on organizational resilience, which centered around how local governments can and should adapt to accelerating change in the field. Panelists shared their experiences with organizational and community change, sometimes with simultaneous changes. The experience in Canton, NC, stood out to me most. The town was faced with retooling its long-term vision to account for the impact of COVID-19, widespread storm flooding, and the closure of a packaging plant vital to the local economy, all within two to three years. Bouncing back from these events alone would have been difficult enough, but all simultaneously seemed nearly impossible. It showed me that it takes a particular level of commitment and buy-in from the government and the community not to back down in the face of incredible adversity.
The public learning sessions were not the only high point of the seminar though. Our MPA students had several unique opportunities to engage with public servants from across North Carolina, thanks to the work of the School of Government and NCCCMA in tandem. The alumni breakfast was a chance for past and present students to meet, eat, and, for many of us, job hunt in the context of our shared MPA experience. Every MPA student is looking for a job, and many alumni were there with openings to match. Later that same day, students had the chance to sit down for discussions on how to succeed in local government, including skills and tips on building up competitive resumes and cover letters.
The NCCCMA seminar is quickly becoming one of my favorite annual events, as it allows me to network and develop knowledge alongside public servants from various backgrounds, work experiences, and locations. At the same time, everything feels rooted in doing the best for North Carolina and its residents, and we can walk away knowing we’re building a toolbox that we can take with us into public service, whether we’re students just starting down the path, or long-time career professionals keeping ahead of the game. Without a doubt, I look forward to the 2025 event and the fresh ideas and opportunities it will bring.
Tell us about yourself, and what are your motivations for getting your MPA at UNC?
My name is Chris Bouzane, I’m originally from Peabody, Massachusetts but was raised in Wake County. I graduated from UNC-Greensboro in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science. I was motivated to pursue an MPA because of a professor I had in my last semester at UNCG who introduced me to the field of public adminstration. When searching for a program right for me, I reached out to mentors from undergrad and work; the common thread between them all was UNC-CH so it was a natural fit to follow in their footsteps.
What are your future career goals?
I am what our program calls a “Generalist”. When thinking about my future, I’ve always seen myself working within the public sector. Truthfully, I’m not too sure where exactly that means. I’ve worked in State Government and enjoyed it immensely. This program tailors us for towards local government but also provides us with a breadth of knowledge and expertise in local and non-profit. That was a strong factor towards enrolling in the UNC MPA program for me. Regardless, I hope to work in a role that tackles tough challenges and yields the greatest public good.
What is your favorite course this semester? Are there any projects/topics you are looking forward to this semester?
Last semester my favorite course was “Law for Public Administration” due to our professor (shoutout Szypszak) and the course material we covered. Although it’s very early in our semester, I’ve really enjoyed Public Budgeting and Finance. It’s a bit out of my comfort zone but I know it’s a course that will equip me with the necessary skills for moving forward in life.
What has surprised you most since the start of the program?
What surprised me the most since the start of the program is just how close our cohort has gotten. I truly think it’s the program’s greatest strength. It’s nice going through the exact same classes with everybody in our first year; and has allowed me to develop lasting friendships.
Is there any advice you would give to someone thinking about attending graduate school?
Be certain that you want to get a graduate degree. Maintain a healthy work-life-study balance. Explore every single interest that you have. Enjoy the time that you’ll spend in your program. Eat healthy.
Who is this program for?
I’d say this program is for anyone who is passionate and motivated by public service. Although this program has a strong focus on local government, public service comes in all shapes and sizes. A common thread among everyone in the program is our dedication towards building a better future grounded in good government.
This post was written by 1st year student Julia Egger.
Making the decision to attend graduate school was very daunting. I was both nervous and excited on my first day at UNC. I was not sure what to expect or even if I had made the right decision. Walking into Knapp-Sanders for the first time as a student officially was surreal. I was anxious about what the program had in store for me, and wondered what I would get out of it.
As we all gathered in the classroom on the first day, I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be. Everyone was so kind and welcoming. Each one of my classmates are so talented and intelligent. We all quickly became friends, and we get together regularly. From cheering on the Tar Heels at Kenan Stadium to Karaoke at Lindas. We have made strong lasting bonds with each other.
I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be.
The coursework is challenging yet rewarding. The material is incredibly engaging, and the courses shape you into a public service leader. I have learned so much about working in the public sector from our experienced faculty, as well as the practitioners that they invite to the classroom as guest speakers. The faculty, professors, and your peers all want to see you succeed. The UNC MPA program is designed to help you grow professionally and academically. The program offers countless opportunities to network, learn, and hone your professional skills.
This semester was very enlightening about what it means to be a public administrator. I originally was not sure what I wanted to do with the MPA, but over this semester I have grown interested in nonprofit management. My favorite course this semester was PUBA 709 Foundations of Public Administration. Dr. Obed Pasha re-designed this course for my cohort, and he did an exceptional job. The class discussions we had on the theories of public administration was extremely fascinating. I am looking forward to taking PUBA 710 Organizational Theory next semester with Dr. Willow Jacobson.
I cannot believe that my first semester is almost over. It feels like the first day was just yesterday. I have made so many friends and have had so many amazing experiences in just three months. I am so excited to continue this journey with my peers, and I cannot wait for next semester.
My name is Marshall Grayson and I am currently completing my third semester in the UNC MPA online program. I have really enjoyed the program so far and cannot wait to continue my studies throughout the next year. While I am open to working in a variety of public sector environments, I am most interested in the communications, management, and budget fields. I am currently a full-time student, but I am excited to share that I will serve as the LEAD for NC Fellow in the Town of Hillsborough’s Finance and Budget Department starting in August! I cannot wait to get started, and I look forward to the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in Hillsborough.
I have always been interested in a public sector career path, specifically looking to work in the local government field. My local government goals led me to begin my MPA last August, directly out of undergrad at Elon University. I started at Elon in 2019, meaning my freshman spring and “college experience” as a whole was largely cut short due to the pandemic. After moving online at the end of my freshman year, I decided to take an optional remote sophomore year as well due to family concerns. This time in online education helped me develop a greater respect for digital communications and remote/hybrid systems. I honestly believe that without this meaningful time, I would not be in the online MPA program today! While this was a difficult experience to work through, it gave me more time with my family, provided stronger time-management skills, and helped me to fully focus on my undergraduate studies, allowing me to graduate with three degrees in Strategic Communications, Policy Studies, and Political Science in just three years!
I am so thankful for the great connections I have made throughout the MPA program so far. I have had classes with so many different professionals from around the world with a variety of backgrounds, skills, perspectives, etc. I have greatly enjoyed the diversity of experiences that the UNC MPA program has given me in just the last year. Classes alongside meaningful work opportunities, like my PWE this summer, have provided me with a good foundation for a future public sector career. I am currently completing an internship with the NC Association of Fire Chiefs, helping research fire tax districts throughout all 100 NC counties. As I work through my third semester and my PWE, I am excited to share more with you about all that I have learned and how these experiences impact what public service means to me.
We love getting to know our students. They are diverse, smart, and representative of why public service leadership is a great career path. Read on to hear more about Julia Egger, one of our new on-campus MPA students!
Welcome to the Carolina MPA program Julia! Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am originally from Scranton Pennsylvania, but I have lived in North Carolina since 2015. I got my associate’s degree from Wake Technical Community College, and my bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University. My favorite hobby is rock climbing both indoors and outdoors.
What made you decide to pursue the MPA? Was public service or leadership a part of your upbringing, or was it something you were exposed through school and other work experiences?
I have always wanted to pursue a career in public service. Growing up my family was not very fortunate, so I know from personal experience the importance of public service work. I decided to pursue the MPA to give back to my community. I eventually want to use my degree to start my own nonprofit organization.
As you probably know, the MPA is a very versatile degree. There is no ‘1’ career path. Looking forward to your future and your time in the program, what do you look forward to learning or improving about yourself or a specific community or issue.
I look forward to improving my leadership skills during this program. I am also excited to learn about nonprofit management as that is my career goal. This program also offers numerous networking opportunities with alumni and public officials, and I cannot wait to seize those opportunities.
What is the last thing you read?
The last thing I read was part of Hans Rosling’s book Factfulness. The book discusses how our perspective on the world has been distorted by the media’s portrayal of affairs. Rosling also teaches the reader on how to differentiate misinformation from truth.
What was the highlight of your summer?
The highlight of the summer was my vacation to Florida. I spent time on a gorgeous island with clear water and saw manatees for the first time. I also got to go to Universal Studios and I got ride the Harry Potter attractions.
What has surprised you the most since classes started?
How close I have already become with my entire cohort. We have not known each other very long and we already have countless outings planned together.
What advice would you give to someone who is just graduating undergrad and thinking about graduate school?
If you are considering going to graduate school, I would first do research on the program you are interested in. I would also meet with your advisor to see if graduate school would be a good fit for you. Then I would meet with the admissions director of your program of interest and ask them questions that pertain to what you want to get out of the graduate school experience.
What motivates you?
I am motivated by my eagerness to learn new things, problem solve, and overcome challenges. I also strive to make a difference beyond my own personal gains.
Local government isn’t entirely new to me. I started work in local government through an internship during my undergrad and worked for several years for a county government in New York State. Now, as I undertake the MPA program at UNC, my passion for local government has only grown stronger. Through my experiences, I have learned that what seems to really matter, especially early in a local government career, is simply showing up – saying “yes” as often as you can. I have done this and so far, it has provided me with invaluable experiences and knowledge that I hope to carry forward someday as a city, town, or county manager. There are a few points specific to my time at UNC that I’d like to highlight as opportunities I am grateful for.
Through my previous professional experience and my time at Holly Springs, I have gained several valuable insights.
A cohesive team is essential.An organization is only as good as the people in it. At all levels of the organization, from top leadership down to front-line staff, individuals matter. While recruitment and talent acquisition is important, it is equally vital to ensure that the team is composed of individuals with positive energy. One person can bring down the energy and direction of an entire department or organization. Coworkers are a central factor in what makes work either dreaded or enjoyable. Here in the budget office, my coworkers Corey Petersohn (UNC MPA ’16), MaryBeth Spoehr (UNC MPA ’22), Greg Sponseller, and Catherine Clark (UNC MPA ’01) all share a level of positivity and connectedness that I appreciate.
A team is brought together through the culture of an organization. There is a balance between too serious and productive and too laid back and unproductive. Neither end of that spectrum is ideal, and I think both tend to drive down enjoyment and motivation. The manager at the top of a municipal organization can have a huge impact on setting the tone.
A growth mindset in local government can serve as a motivational force for employees and can help buffer against difficult times. Holly Springs is a rapidly growing town, with new residents and businesses moving to the Town every year. That allows for an exciting, yet challenging atmosphere as Town staff plans for and adapts to this change. The leadership’s unwavering belief in a brighter future for Holly Springs fosters a sense of excitement among the entire organization.
My experience working with the Town of Holly Springs this summer has been fulfilling, and I’m thrilled to continue in a part-time capacity during the upcoming academic year. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work on diverse and interesting projects with such a great team. It’s worth noting that my immediate director, two coworkers, and even the town manager are all proud UNC MPA graduates! I hope my fellow MPA students have had rewarding experiences through their PWEs this summer.
Through my Professional Work Experience (PWE) with the Town of Holly Springs Office of Budget, Innovation, and Strategy, I have been involved in a variety of interesting budget and sustainability projects. It’s hard to believe that we are already approaching the halfway point of the summer!
One sustainability initiative I am working on is helping the Town work to achieve Sol Smart Gold-level designation. SolSmart is a “national program that helps cities, towns, counties, and regional organizations become solar energy leaders.” The Town recently earned the silver-level designation, and the sustainability coordinator tasked me with devising a plan to achieve gold. I developed an action plan for the sustainability office, communications department, and development services department to achieve gold designation while also offering a potential path toward the platinum-level designation. Before that work, I assisted the sustainability coordinator in developing an Excel tracking sheet for departments to use for monitoring progress made on the Town’s sustainability plan. As I wrap up those sustainability projects, I am excited to hit the ground running working on researching sustainable purchasing policies and how Holly Springs can develop such a policy.
In addition to sustainability work, I am assisting in developing department business plans – helping edit slide decks and participating in training sessions with individual departments. This experience has introduced me to numerous leaders throughout the Town and has helped me more deeply understand how Town departments function and relate to each other. I have also researched paid parental leave policies and I am currently working on developing a revenue manual (shout-out to Dr. Afonso’s class!).
Other than interesting and rewarding projects, perhaps the most enjoyable part of my experience this summer has been getting to know my colleagues. The department is small, yet very capable, kind, and supportive. Recently, the team went with our families to an NC Courage game in Cary.
The experience here continues to solidify my desire to work in local government long-term. I hope my fellow MPA students are enjoying their PWE experiences too. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone this upcoming Fall!
by UNC MPA student Shane Digan
Hello all!
My name is Shane Digan and I am completing my Professional Work Experience (PWE) with the Town of Holly Springs, NC Budget, Innovation, and Strategy Office this summer as I pursue my MPA degree.
I am originally from upstate New York, growing up in Tivoli and graduating from the State University of New York at Oneonta with a degree in Geology and International Studies. I remained in Oneonta for three years after graduating in 2019 working for the Otsego County Planning & Solid Waste Department. I started as an intern while a student and progressed to Planner-Trainee, Planner, and finally Solid Waste Coordinator. While in Oneonta I also served on the Oneonta Planning Commission.
Otsego County hired its first-ever administrator while I was employed there, which helped spark my interest in local government management. I had considered pursuing the planning field further or even state government, but as I learned more about the role of an administrator or manager, I realized that is what I wanted to do. That decision led me to UNC-Chapel Hill. My experience at the School of Government has further cemented my interest in local government management through courses, professors, ICMA, conferences, and peers. I live in Carrboro with my girlfriend Sierra and volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America.
I am currently gaining valuable experience through my work with the Town of Holly Springs. The Town is going through an exciting period, experiencing rapid population and economic growth. While this is great news for the Town, it creates stresses on services that weren’t designed to support such a large base. It is exciting to see how the Town is working to address this growth by expanding services and capital projects. I am personally working with a small but capable team on a variety of projects. I assisted in getting the FY 2023-2024 budget through approval, developed a method to track progress on the Town’s sustainability plan, researched parental leave policies, and am working on developing a sustainable purchasing policy and assisting departments in creating business plans. I have also had the opportunity to visit other departments and learn about what they do—including code enforcement, police, fire, finance, and development services. As the summer progresses, I will continue to work on departmental business plans and sustainability projects, among other assignments. I am excited to attend the North Carolina Local Government Budget Association (NCLGBA) Summer Conference in Beaufort in July.
Working for Holly Springs has been a great experience so far, and I’m sure it will continue to be. The Town has an excellent staff—plus, many are Carolina MPA graduates!