by Katie Geith
New UNC School of Government faculty member Dylan Russell was recently recognized with three distinguished honors, which underscore his contributions to public service, higher education, and leadership at UNC-Chapel Hill and across North Carolina.
In March, Russell was inducted into the Order of the Golden Fleece, Carolina’s oldest honor society.
Founded in 1904, the Order fosters connections among students, faculty, and alumni and selects members based on extraordinary service to the university in scholarship, motivation, creativity, loyalty, and leadership in academic and extracurricular pursuits. Russell was nominated by Richard Stevens, former state senator, UNC MPA alumnus, and Chair Emeritus of the UNC Board of Trustees.
“I believe deeply in the promise of UNC-CH and what it means for North Carolina,” said Russell.“To be inducted into the Order of the Golden Fleece—and to join the ranks of giants from the School of Government like Mike Smith, John Sanders, Albert Coates, and Anita Brown-Graham—is a profound honor. Their commitment to service and leadership has shaped this state, and their example continues to inspire me every day. I’m humbled to carry that legacy forward and grateful to be part of a tradition that recognizes the power of public service to unite, elevate, and transform communities through Carolina’s work.”
Also this year, Russell received the Chancellor’s Award for Student Undergraduate Teaching, which honors outstanding faculty and teaching assistants who demonstrate excellence in instruction and impact on student learning. The Student Undergraduate Teaching Awards were established to recognize outstanding undergraduate instruction by both faculty and teaching assistants. Teaching nominations are reviewed based on demonstrated and consistent teaching excellence, success in positively affecting a broad spectrum of students both in and outside the classroom, and the creation of a dynamic learning environment.
Russell was recognized for his work teaching State and Local Government (PUBA 401), a service-learning course placing undergraduate students in nonprofits and local governments across the state. In the class, students work with community partners to create policy briefs that address issues faced by the community. The course also serves as a gateway to public service careers: six of Russell’s former students have gone on to enroll in the UNC MPA program, and many now serve in local government leadership roles across the state.
One nomination for the award read, “Russell embodies the highest standards of undergraduate teaching excellence. Through his commitment to experiential learning, mentorship, career preparation, and fostering an inclusive and dynamic classroom, he inspires students to pursue meaningful careers in public service.”
In May, Russell received an award from Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL) or top influencers in local government. ELGL is a national organization that celebrates innovation in local government. The award honors public sector professionals making a difference in their communities and who demonstrate joy, creativity, connection, dependability, and equity through their work and public activities. Russell was one of three honorees from UNC, alongside UNC MPA alumnus Pat Madej and PELA graduate Jonathan Russell.
About Dylan Russell
Dylan Russell joined the School as a teaching assistant professor in May 2025. He serves as the faculty co-lead of Lead for North Carolina at the UNC School of Government. Lead for North Carolina facilitates high-impact fellowships for recent graduates in local government throughout the state. Under Dylan’s leadership, Lead for NC has connected over 150 young leaders with fellowships and secured over 10 million in funding to support these initiatives. Dylan’s research explores strategies for workforce development, talent retention, and institutional capacity in government organizations.
James Quackenbush embarked on his Master of Public Administration (MPA) journey at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in January 2020. With a two-decade-long career in law enforcement, he sought to broaden his understanding of public service beyond policing. Initially enrolled in an emergency management program at Arizona State University, he transitioned to UNC’s MPA program, drawn by its practical and comprehensive approach to public administration.
At the time, Quackenbush was serving as a lieutenant in Portland, Oregon. He later moved to Boise, Idaho, and eventually settled in Washougal, Washington, where he currently serves as the police chief.
Reflecting on his career trajectory, he noted, “I went from a 1,200 to 1,500 full-time employee agency, to 400, to now I’m down to like 30.”
This progression to smaller agencies provided him with unique insights into the varied operations of different municipalities.
Balancing full-time work with academic commitments, Quackenbush opted for a slower pace in his studies, typically taking one class per semester.
He emphasized the importance of this approach, stating, ” I feel like I was able to really, truly absorb and really dive into the information.”
This method allowed him to apply his coursework directly to his professional responsibilities, enhancing his capabilities in areas such as budgeting, staffing models, and capital projects.
Quackenbush found that the MPA program’s curriculum was highly applicable to his work.
He remarked, “I’m hard pressed to think of something that I didn’t find a way to tie into the work that I was doing.”
The skills he acquired made him a valuable asset in administrative roles, leading to increased responsibilities and recognition within his field.
Among the courses he took, the budgeting classes stood out as particularly impactful. He also appreciated the law class, which expanded his knowledge beyond criminal law to include personnel law and collective bargaining: areas crucial for effective management. Quackenbush credited professors like Chris Cody for their support and expertise, noting Cody’s willingness to assist students and his proficiency in guiding them through complex concepts.
Participating in an immersion experience focused on economic development further enriched Quackenbush’s education.
He valued the opportunity to collaborate with peers in person, stating, “It was just great to be in a room with everybody.”
This experience, along with hybrid classes, enhanced his engagement with the program and provided practical applications of his studies.
For prospective students, Quackenbush advises prioritizing self-care and maintaining a manageable workload.
He suggests, “I would encourage making sure you’re taking care of yourself and keeping things balanced.”
This approach, he believes, allows for a deeper understanding of the material and a more meaningful educational experience.
Quackenbush’s journey through the UNC MPA program exemplifies the integration of academic learning with professional practice. His commitment to public service and continuous growth underscores the value of lifelong learning in enhancing one’s ability to serve and lead effectively in the public sector.
For the tenth year, UNC MPA students in PUBA 723: Human Resource Management stepped into the role of public sector leaders during the HR Fire Drills exercise, a high-intensity simulation designed to test their ability to navigate complex personnel challenges. This hands-on experience was judged by Katherine Cathey, Person County Manager; Bob Hornik, Hillsborough Town Attorney; Jen Della Valle, Hillsborough Administrative Services Director and UNC MPA alum; Duane Hampton, Hillsborough Police Chief and UNC MPA alum; and Matt Efird, Hillsborough Assistant Town Manager.
Students were evaluated on their ability to exchange information, operate under pressure, assess various approaches, guard against confirmation bias, and analyze the broader implications of HR decisions on an organization. Each team assumed the role of a management team, making strategic decisions for the scenarios presented.
UNC MPA alum and Hillsborough Town Manager Eric Peterson first introduced the HR Fire Drills through UNC’s ICMA student chapter. Recognizing the value of this exercise, he collaborated with Dr. Leisha DeHart-Davis to formally integrate it into the PUBA 723 syllabus. Peterson developed the exercise based on real-world HR challenges he encountered throughout his career, aiming to prepare students for the complexities of public sector personnel management. Dr. Dehart-Davis described the Drills as giving “MPA students a sense of how challenging public sector HR can be.”
The HR Fire Drills challenged student teams to tackle real-world workplace scenarios, including addressing workplace violence, handling discrimination allegations, and determining the next steps for an employee on probation. Each team was required to assess the situation, weigh potential consequences, and present their decisions to a panel of experienced professionals. After presenting their recommendations, students received valuable insights and feedback from the judges, who shared how these situations had played out in real life. This allowed for a dynamic discussion on alternative approaches, best practices, and the complexities of HR decision-making in the public sector.
Current MPA student and HR Fire Drills group winner Rachel Wooster described the experience as “a great opportunity to understand how a manager would handle difficult (but common) HR situations. It was extremely helpful to hear different perspectives on addressing such challenges.” She also highlighted the strong sense of community and alumni connections within the UNC MPA program, which provides invaluable opportunities like this. Wooster, along with teammates Noah Champion, Javier Limon, and Josie Zakrzewski, proudly took home this year’s trophy.
By simulating the high-stakes decision-making process of HR professionals, the HR Fire Drills continue to equip UNC MPA students with critical thinking and leadership skills essential for managing real-world personnel issues in the public sector. The exercise not only reinforces the importance of sound judgment and ethical decision-making but also provides students with firsthand experience in handling complex, high-pressure situations. Through direct engagement with experienced public administrators, students gain deeper insights into the nuances of HR management, preparing them to navigate challenges they will face as future leaders in government and nonprofit organizations. This hands-on approach reflects UNC MPA’s commitment to blending academic rigor with practical experience, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to lead and serve in diverse public administration roles.
Alum Matt McKirahan came into the role as town manager ready to lead. With a background in marketing, his time in the MPA program and numerous local government roles including stints with the City of Ft. Lauderdale, City of Raleigh, and the City of Pinehurst, this double Tarheel faced a community in need two months after he was hired. Read about his work with emergency responders to prioritize the needs of community members in response to Hurricane Helene.
Held in conjunction with the NCCCMA conference in Winston-Salem. Whether you are attending the conference or not, join other MPAers at Tate’s Craft Cocktails for some lite bites, a tasty beverage, and great conversation.
This event is open to friends of the UNC MPA program including faculty, alumni, and current students. Regsitration required.
Where: Tate’s Craft Cocktails
279 W. 4th Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Catch up with fellow alumni, faculty, staff, and meet current students at the annual UNC MPA Alumni Breakfast held during the NCCCMA Winter Conference in Winston-Salem.
This event is open to UNC MPA faculty, alumni, and current students. Registration required.
Where: Benton Convention Center
301 W. 5th Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Connect with MPA alumni, students, faculty, and staff for drinks, lite bites, and great conversation in Winston-Salem for our annual Happy Hour Hub held in conjunction with the NCCCMA Winter Seminar.
Meet us at Tate’s Craft Cocktails – 279 W 4th St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
We recently had the pleasure of connecting with Elizabeth Anderson, a UNC MPA/MSW dual degree alumnus and a dedicated advocate for education and youth development. Anderson serves as the Director of the North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs (NC CAP). In our conversation, we explored her journey into nonprofit work, the vital role after-school programs play in children’s education, and how she mobilized her MPA/MSW degree to shape her career path.
Q: Can you tell me a little about your current role?
Absolutely! I am the Director of the North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs (NC CAP), which is a statewide afterschool network in North Carolina. It’s a coalition of partners from nonprofit organizations, government agencies, public schools, and more. We work together to ensure access to high-quality out-of-school time learning opportunities. NC CAP is part of the Public School Forum of North Carolina, which focuses more broadly on education advocacy in the state. However, my role is specifically focused on after-school and summer programs, as well as any learning opportunities that take place outside the classroom. Considering that kids spend about 80% of their time outside the classroom, we focus on ensuring those hours are filled with enriching learning experiences.
Q: That’s incredible! What are some specific programs or initiatives you’ve worked on at NC CAP?
We do a lot at NC CAP! One of our programs focuses on supporting professional development for out-of-school time providers. For instance, we have a STEM Hub that helps providers, who may not have a background in STEM, feel confident in delivering high-quality STEM programming. We also host advocacy events, like our upcoming “Lights on Afterschool,” where we bring together elected officials, students, and stakeholders to raise awareness about the importance of afterschool programs.
Additionally, we prepare talking points and policy agendas to empower other advocates to push for more public investment in out-of-school programs. We also serve as a research clearinghouse for best practices and conduct landscape analyses of what out-of-school programs are available in different regions of North Carolina. Lastly, we convene stakeholders—whether through regional meetings or our annual conference—to discuss how to improve the out-of-school time system.
Q: What is your most recent ‘win’ at work?
I think in the past year or so my favorite “win” happened in Western NC, where we conducted a landscape study of afterschool programs and launched the Western NC After 3PM Collaborative – a collective impact and peer learning group for youth development professionals – in partnership with the Dogwood Health Trust. We used Community Based Participatory Research methods to get really deep community engagement in our landscape study. The connections we made & relationships we built when we traveled in Western NC for the study helped make the launch of our Collaborative successful. Our work is all about genuine connection and relationships and I think we’ve had a lot of success building those relationships through WNC After 3PM Collaborative in Western NC. Those relationships have been critical as we work to support afterschool programs and the kids and families they serve in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene and we would not be able to provide the kind of support that we have been providing post-hurricane if we had not had those strong relationships in place.
Q: You have such a diverse set of responsibilities! What was your educational and professional journey to this role?
My bachelor’s degree was in journalism, and after graduating, I moved into nonprofit work, focusing on youth development. My first big step in education was working in the education department at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in New Mexico. That experience led me to take on more roles in out-of-school time, including working as a site director for various programs and as a coordinator with Communities in Schools of New Mexico. In these roles, I was embedded in the public school system and coordinated wraparound services for both schools and individual students.
Through these experiences, I began to see how broken many systems were, and I wanted to work on a broader level to create systems that actually serve kids and families. That’s when I decided to pursue an MPA and MSW through the dual-degree program at UNC.
Q: What is one current challenge or thing you’re working towards?
We are working on building our capacity as a Statewide Afterschool Network and growth is hard! There is so much that we want to be doing and could be doing, but there are always growing pains when you work to expand. You have to think about how to grow that in a way that is sustainable and aligned with mission and vision. It can be a little bit messy – but very worth it in the long run.
Q: How was balancing the MPA and MSW programs at UNC?
It was definitely a challenge! There was a lot of negotiation, especially with aligning the Public Work Experience (PWE) for the MPA with the second-year practicum for the MSW. However, I received great support from both the MPA and MSW programs. There was also some coursework overlap between the two programs, especially since I focused on macro practice in social work.
I found the combination of both degrees incredibly helpful. The MPA gave me a broad understanding of cross-sector collaboration, which is critical in my role now, while the MSW provided me with deeper content knowledge on child welfare, poverty policy, and supporting kids and families.
Q: Did you always know you wanted to work in youth development?
I knew I wanted to support kids and families, but I wasn’t exactly sure what that would look like. During my Master’s program, one of my practicums was with UNC Refugee Wellness, which had me working with refugee mental health. For a while, I thought I might want to work with immigrant and refugee children, but my long history in education led me back to that field. The dual-degree program helped elevate my capacity to work at a systems level, particularly in bringing together nonprofits, government agencies, and other partners for a common goal—supporting kids.
Q: What advice would you give to prospective or current MPA students?
Stay open-minded. Many people come into the program thinking they know exactly what they want to do, but your interests and career goals can evolve. For example, I took a performance management class that I didn’t think I would ever need, but now I use those skills every day! The MPA program prepares you as a generalist, which is great because it opens a lot of doors and gives you options when you finish.
Q: How was the transition from full-time work to being a full-time student?
It was a good change of pace. My time in the workforce helped me contextualize a lot of what I was learning in class. I had real-world experience that gave me a frame of reference for concepts like change management and organizational theory. I also wouldn’t have chosen the MPA program if I hadn’t spent those years working directly with kids and families. That hands-on experience helped me realize that I wanted to do systems-level work, and it set me on the right path.
Q: What is your favorite part of being a UNC alumnus?
Connecting with other UNC Alumni in different settings, both professional and personal, and always feeling superior during basketball season.
The UNC MPA program will host a Happy Hour Hub in conjunction with the ICMA conference in Pittsburgh, PA. (Re)Connect with MPA alumni, students, faculty, and staff for drinks, lite bites, and great conversation. This event is open to faculty, current students, alumni, and program friends.
This event will take place at The Yard, 11 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
Join students, alumni, faculty, staff, friends, and their families for some tasty food and great conversation at the annual UNC MPA Alumni Kickoff Picnic. This event is free, and please bring your families, roommates, etc.!
This event will take place at the School of Government in the Dining Room.