UNC School of Government faculty member Margaret Henderson retired from her full-time position in September 2023 after more than 20 years of service to the University and the State of North Carolina.
“Margaret is a symbol of what the School of Government can and should be,” said Aimee Wall, dean of the School. “The caring, depth, honesty, and integrity she possesses are what we all strive to embody in our work. She is a true public servant, and it is difficult to imagine the School without her.”
Henderson’s career embodies the public service mission of the School and the University. Before she arrived at Carolina, she spent 20 years in human services, including work in state and local government and the nonprofit sector. These experiences included service as the executive director of the Orange County Rape Crisis Center.
An expert in facilitation and human services, Henderson leveraged her scholarship to work as a leading actor in the fight to protect vulnerable North Carolinians. In recent years, her workfocused onassisting local governments in their efforts toaddress and stem human trafficking and elder abuse. She lent herexpertise to countless organizations dedicated to this work, including the North Carolina Human Trafficking Commission, NC Stop Human Trafficking, the University’s Project No Rest, and the School of Government’s Adult Protection Network.
In April 2023, her dedication to service was recognized by the University community as she received the Office of the Provost Engaged Scholarship Award for engaged research.
“I have spent 24 years collaborating with Margaret on projects and with clients,” said Lydian Altman, teaching assistant professor at the School. “In her quiet manner, she drops pearls of wisdom into almost every conversation. She offers the opportunity to see things differently and more holistically—how to appreciate and seek out the differences that enrich our work and add meaning to our lives.”
Henderson possesses a unique depth of knowledge on the practical challenges and opportunities of cross-organizational collaborations. She directed the Public Intersection Project, researching and communicating strategies to strengthen these relationships. Her scholarship, teaching, and facilitation helped governments, community programs, and nonprofit organizations bridge divides and generate more effective solutions to public problems.
A UNC MPA graduate, Henderson later taught in the program for more than 20 years. She has co-authored articles that appeared in Popular Government, ICMA’s IQ Report and PM Magazine, American Review of Public Administration, PA Times, and the FBI Law Enforcement Journal. Beyond published scholarly works, Henderson provided foundational resources for local governments. Most recently, these include sheets with basic facts about sex and labor trafficking, blog posts about recognizing trafficking indicators, and discussion guides for trafficking prevention strategies.
Henderson’s background in collaboration allowed her to identify new connections and pathways for local government cooperation in the fight against human trafficking. One such example is a bulletin generated by Henderson and colleague Kirk Boone, “Property Tax Officials Can Help Recognize Human Trafficking Indicators.”
Henderson’s influence can be seen across the state and in the halls of the Knapp-Sanders Building. A devoted colleague and friend, her collaboration and leadership fostered new connections and made the School a better place to work. Most recently, she served as a co-chair of the School’s Committee for an Inclusive Workplace.
The School of Government thanks Henderson for her dedicated service to clients, students, and the State of North Carolina and wishes her the best in retirement.
Over the past academic year, UNC MPA piloted the Student Professional Development Grant program. This initiative provides up to $250 to every student for professional development expenses such as conference attendance, professional meetings, workshops, or professional organization membership. This funding is in addition to program-sponsored professional development like registration for the North Carolina City and County Management Association Winter Seminar and School of Government courses.
During the pilot year, the program had nine students apply for and be awarded funds. Students used the funds for experiences ranging from leadership summits and registration costs, to travel expenses for conferences. To receive funding, students must apply for development opportunities, discuss how the experience fits with their professional goals with Allison Binkley, the Associate Director of Career Services & Professional Development, and then reflect upon the experience afterwards. The sponsored experiences provided tremendous value for the students and a few shared their thoughts on the experience:
“I was able to network and meet with alumni, learn about skills needed for MPA students, and attend coaching sessions with current managers.” – Shane Digan
“Prior to the conference, I knew almost nothing about the structure and behavior of a budget office. The conference sessions introduced me to concepts like zero-based budgeting and participatory budgeting. The sessions were helpful, but nothing compares to connecting with budget professionals from across the state.” – Scott Powell
“I attended presentations ranging from the Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, regional artists, and community development advocates, to public art funders. I also networked with arts administrators from across the South. Some of my takeaways include: grant processes for public art (specifically focusing on the story to be told with the art rather than the artists’ resume. Start with a letter of intent before accepting full proposals), considerations for equitable pay for guest artists from near and far, and how to engage communities who have been impacted or will be impacted. These takeaways were important to me as I consider foundation funding, leading proposal reviews, and equitably building community through the arts.” – Lauren Duncan ‘22
After a very successful pilot year, the MPA program is excited to continue to continue this initiative for a second year and encourage professional development relating to students’ unique interests.
UNC MPA student Melissa Cordell has recently launched the Women in NC Government, available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Each month features a new profile of a remarkable woman in government making a positive impact on their community. Be sure to check it out! The first episode is with UNC MPA alumna, Cecily Hamilton who serves as the Strategic Initiatives Analyst for the City of Durham, NC!
Melissa started this project as good government is a passion of hers. She hopes this can lead to more innovations in government work, serve as an inspiration for professionals, and recognize amazing women in a wide range of public service roles in our state.
Melissa received her undergraduate degree from UNC Chapel Hill in Women’s and Gender Studies and is a current UNC MPA student in the online format. She just started a new role with the Congressional & Public Affairs Staff in the Office of Public Affairs & Consumer Education for USDA-FSIS.
The UNC School of Government’s Master of Public Administration Class of 2023 gathered with faculty, family, friends, and staff on May 13 to celebrate their graduation from the program. The ceremony, held at the William and Ida Friday Center, honored 64 graduates, both in-person and online students.
Honoring graduates
UNC MPA Director Willow S. Jacobson and School of Government Dean Aimee N. Wall welcomed and congratulated graduates for their achievements.
Carl W. Stenberg, James E. Holshouser Jr. Distinguished Professor of Public Administration and Government, presented the Wright Research Paper Award, honoring the legacy of its namesake—former faculty member and public administration visionary Deil S. Wright.
Stenberg presented the 2023 honor to Ben Lasley for his applied research project on Exploring Criteria for Assessing Collaborative Practices and Performance. Following graduation, Lasley will continue his career as an Environmental Protection Specialist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Exploring what is meaningful
Peggy Merriss ’82, Executive Director for the Georgia City-County Management Association, served as keynote speaker and discussed the importance of graduates exploring what work will be purposeful and fulfilling to them.
“Think about what meaningful work is to you and why you want to do it so that you have a guiding principle and true north—because while there are plenty of days ahead of you, there will be some that are extremely challenging,” she remarked.
Merriss encouraged graduates to think beyond the basic and simple, to search for what is meaningful, and to commit to creating positive change.
She closed remarks by urging the public service leaders sitting before her to contribute to making this positive change for all community members they serve.
“It is incumbent [of them] to do it not just for some people, but for the most people in the most equitable, engaging, way.”
Student takeaways
Following the ceremony, graduates Danielle Badaki, Sherese Bonner, and Ben Lasley expressed what they will take away from the MPA program.
“This program has taught me the power of relationships, the ability to work across boundaries, and a passion for helping others,” said Lasley. “I’m incredibly thankful that I found a wonderful support system in our cohort—lifelong friends.”
Bonner, a Presidential Management Fellow at the U.S. Department of Commerce, shared her gratitude for the program laying the groundwork to build a successful public service career.
“This program taught me how to translate my passions into purpose. As a result of the exposure I received in public administration through my jobs, professional work experience, and coursework, I now have a more defined career path that will set me up for success in the future.”
Badaki, a client specialist for Fountainworks, reflected upon the strength of community within the program.
“The MPA program allowed me to cultivate relationships and build critical skills to become a public servant. Through this program, I was able to build a community that supported me short-term, in my education, and long-term, through my career.”
The School of Government and UNC MPA program extend their congratulations and warm wishes to all graduates of the Class of 2023.
When it was time for Maggie Bailey ’21 to look for her first post-MPA job, she didn’t have to look far. She found the right fit within the walls of the School of Government, joining the School’s Criminal Justice Innovation Lab as its second project manager. The role was a natural transition for Bailey after serving as a research assistant in the Lab as a student.
“The Lab has afforded me the opportunity to leverage skills I gained in the MPA program,” Bailey said. “The program does a great job bridging theory and practice. The practitioner’s lens is evident in all the work the School of Government does. It’s exciting to work on projects that directly support stakeholders and inspiring to see how those stakeholders make measurable changes.”
The Lab is one of 10 entrepreneurial initiatives at the School. These specialized, public-service oriented units focus on a variety of critical issues, including public service leadership, criminal justice, economic development and community revitalization, and environmental finance. They generate local government fellowships, produce public policy analysis, and educate public defenders. As this work expands and grows, these initiatives are forging deep connections with UNC MPA alumni and students to support their efforts.
Jess Dorrance (’04) returned to the School in 2021, joining the ncIMPACT Initiative as research director after working at the UNC Center for Community Capital. Returning to the School to work on research and evaluation was “such an easy decision” for Dorrance. With ncIMPACT and UNC’s Carolina Across 100 initiative, Dorrance has the chance to continue deploying skills she first learned as an MPA student.
“The curriculum, the things I learned, and the relationships that began with MPA have carried through the years,” Dorrance said. “At its essence, our work at the ncIMPACT Initiative is about collaboration. That was such a big part of MPA: working collaboratively with groups, with cohort members, and directly with organizations or communities to help them solve problems or address issues.”
MPA students engage in the work of entrepreneurial initiatives by serving as research assistants, graduate assistants, or conduct their Professional Work Experiences (PWEs) with initiatives, generating practical scholarship that leads to real-world impacts in North Carolina communities. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship that expands the work of initiatives, provides unique, hands-on learning experiences for students, and allows public officials to gain the resources they need.
“Our students move foundational research forward and take on projects that help us be responsive to stakeholder needs,” Bailey said. “Students learn about criminal justice in North Carolina and work on projects directly affecting people’s lives. We’re lucky to have programs like UNC MPA as partners.”
Bailey and Dorrance join other MPA alumni providing leadership to innovative entrepreneurial initiatives at the School. That list includes Dylan Russell ’17, executive director of Lead for North Carolina; Emily Williamson Gangi ’01, policy engagement director for the ncIMPACT Initiative; and Lydian Altman ’84, teaching assistant professor for the Center for Public Leadership and Governance. Each program benefits not only from the expertise of these alumni, but also from the practical skillset of the MPA students supporting them.
“Our team is fairly small, which allows us to be adaptable and responsive,” Dorrance said. “But we are tasked with completing a significant amount of work with limited staff capacity. The MPA students help boost that capacity and bring their enthusiasm, skills, and diverse perspectives to enhance our work.”
The School of Government is pleased to congratulate North Carolina native and UNC MPA graduate Philip Rogers ‘05 on his election as 12th chancellor of East Carolina University. Rogers’s appointment was formalized by the UNC System Board of Governors on December 17, 2020.
“Given my previous experience at ECU and the wide array of authentic relationships I’ve maintained with university stakeholders through the years, I am confident in my ability to be an asset to the university and region from day one,” Rogers said in a release from ECU. “It is also vital to lead with a listening ear and servant’s heart when considering the top priorities to address together as a university.”
Rogers graduated with his MPA from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2005. He earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Wake Forest University and a doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania.
“Philip’s election as 12th chancellor of East Carolina University is not by accident,” said MPA Program Director William Rivenbark. “From the time he matriculated as a student, Philip wanted to pursue a public service leadership position with passion. He also understood the importance of embracing a lifestyle of ethics, integrity, and hard work to serve others in our society. His role at ECU is an embodiment of our program’s mission statement to prepare future public service leaders. We are very proud of him.”
In nominating Rogers for the position, UNC System President Peter Hans described Rogers as “a driven leader who brings energy and vitality to ECU. He has broad national higher education experience and deep local roots in Greenville. Philip is invested in ECU for the long haul and will bring steady, stable leadership.”
Rogers previously served as chief of staff at ECU from 2008–13. Most recently, he served as senior vice president of learning and engagement for the American Council on Education (ACE) in Washington, D.C. While with ACE, he was responsible for the organization’s academic, research, and innovation strategy. Rogers is slated to begin his duties as ECU chancellor on March 15, 2021.
UNC MPA alumna and former School of Government Foundation Board member Elizabeth Biser ‘17 has been appointed Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Biser took her oath of office on July 1, 2021 in Raleigh.
“I am honored and humbled to lead the agency charged with providing environmental stewardship for the health and prosperity of all North Carolinians,” Biser said in a release announcing her appointment. “I look forward to working with key leaders, stakeholders and people throughout North Carolina to fulfil this important mission.”
Biser will be charged with oversight of North Carolina DEQ, which protects the state’s environment and natural resources. Its programs seek to safeguard air, water, land, coastal fisheries, and the public’s health; the agency also offers technical assistance and encourages responsible behavior and respect toward the environment. Her appointment is subject to confirmation by the North Carolina Senate.
Biser was appointed to the position by Governor Roy Cooper in late June. She most recently served as president of Biser Strategies LLC and senior policy advisor for The Recycling Partnership.
“Elizabeth Biser is a strong leader who has experience with this environmental agency and knows its critical work in North Carolina,” Cooper said upon Biser’s appointment.
Biser is a double graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, holding a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Public Administration. She has a strong background in environmental affairs. In addition to her work at Biser Strategies LLC, she served as vice president of policy and public affairs at The Recycling Partnership, government relations and policy director for Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard LLP, and as director of legislative and intergovernmental affairs at the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (the predecessor of DEQ). Biser served on the School’s Foundation Board from 2019 to 2021.
When challenged to put theory into practice for his professional work experience requirement at MPA@UNC, Joseph Pierce knew exactly what he wanted to do. Committed to transparency in government, the Holly Ridge, North Carolina, town manager wanted to help citizens understand how their local government worked so they could make it work for them.
To advance this goal, Joseph created Citizen’s Academy, a six-week program aimed at educating citizens about the functions of their local government.
The program offers a high-level view of what administrators and the legislative body do to make the town continue to run, and allows citizens to meet with government leaders and department heads to ask questions about how spending priorities are set and decisions made.
“They can’t say enough about how much they appreciate it,” Joseph said of citizens and local leaders who use it. “I think that it has been the biggest tangible thing that I’ve been able to produce for the town.”
The academy may be one of the most tangible outcomes that came out of his experience with MPA@UNC, but Joseph says it’s not the only one.
“The typical online student is a practitioner,” he said. “They’re already in the field. They’re working. They’re doing something good with a nonprofit or for the public. So they have that practical experience that really adds a specific dynamic to the program.”
With 14 years in the military, 10 years in law enforcement, and an MS in Management Science behind him, Joseph brings a lot to that dynamic himself. Those years in law enforcement—including a stint as assistant police chief—taught him how to navigate the political environment while interacting with the public and elected officials.
“I was able to direct, guide, and manage a group of people in a sometimes very volatile environment,” he said.
As he looks forward to graduating in May 2018, Joseph says his family and MPA@UNC’s online format made it possible for him to continue working while pursuing his degree.
The father of four boys—ages 6 months to 7 years—says, “I didn’t do it alone. I can tell you that. I’ve got terrific in-laws who helped out with the baby. And my wife’s been a terrific supporter, juggling her work, finding babysitters, and covering when I was busy with work or school. We’re both UNC grads, so she understands the quality of the education here.”
After graduation, Joseph will take those lessons and the Citizen’s Academy concept with him to serve as the town manager of Burgaw, North Carolina.
Something about Chanitta Deloatch is infectious: you catch the public service bug just from listening when she speaks. When I met her during the MPA student orientation, I knew right away I wanted to talk with her.
Chanitta is from Murfreesboro, a small town in northeastern North Carolina with a population of just over 2,000. She describes the town as a place where “everyone knows everyone or they know someone in your family.” This small town upbringing gave Chanitta a strong sense of community, which has shaped her public service ideals. “I know how much was put into me by my community,” she says. “I want to give back.”
Chanitta loves to travel, and she has especially fond memories of her trip to Europe as a high school student. “As I look back, the trip was wonderful,” she says, “but the experience of getting there is what I remember most.” Her family could not finance her travels. Determined to go, Chanitta raised money by washing cars and writing letters to businesses and people in the community asking for their support. “My community gave me that opportunity,” she says.
Chanitta was raised by her grandparents. Her mother, with whom she had daily contact as a child, was a senior in high school when Chanitta was born. Chanitta has never met her father. She credits her family and church youth leaders for her own commitment to education and public service. “They always told me my options were endless,” she says.
Chanitta’s church community encouraged her to get involved in public speaking, and she was often asked to speak at
church events. “Those experiences gave me the opportunity to verbalize to other young people that they should always reach for the sky,” she says.
The first person in her family to go to college, Chanitta graduated from East Carolina University with a degree in criminal justice. In her studies, she was particularly moved by a juvenile justice course, especially when she learned about the high rate of incarceration among African-American males. “I chose a career in public service because I believe change needs to happen,” Chanitta says. “I believe the only way to do that is through the public sector.”
As an undergraduate, she interned with the court services branch of the NC Department of Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention in Pitt County, and she was hired as a juvenile court counselor upon graduation. Although she loved being a court counselor, Chanitta wanted more interaction with the clients she served. “With a case load of 32 children, one visit per child was about all one could do each month,” she says. “That just True Carolina Blue: Chanitta Deloatch wasn’t enough interaction to create the impact that I wanted to have.”
Chanitta found the MPA program’s dual-degree option with the School of Social Work especially appealing. It was a large part of her motivation in applying to UNC-Chapel Hill. “It meant a lot to me to be accepted at the University of North Carolina,” she says. “I believe the prestige of a UNC degree will go a long way in my career.”
Chanitta received a Nanette V. Mengel Scholarship from the MPA program. She is also a North Carolina Child Welfare Education Collaborative Scholar through the School of Social Work and is obligated to work in a local Department of Social Services for two years upon graduation. “Those scholarships made all the difference
to me,” she explains. “I could not have come to graduate school without financial aid. I really appreciate the support
I have received from the Mengel family and MPA alumni.”
Chanitta is looking forward to serving children and families, but she ultimately hopes to create and manage public policy. “The MPA degree is going to make that possible. I believe my options are endless after graduation. I don’t want to settle or restrict myself. At the end of the day, it’s not about the money, but the change I will be able to effect. For me, that is true happiness.”
This profile was first published in the Fall 2008 issue of Impact newsletter.
Tyler Thomas grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina, but calls Pembroke home. “Robeson County is where all of my family is from,” he says. “I have a large family with lots of aunts and uncles, three brothers—one is my twin—and two sisters. Most of our summers were spent in Pembroke.” Tyler explains that his family is part of the Lumbee tribe. “My mother took an active role in ensuring we maintained a connection to our roots,” he explains. “I appreciate that connection and really enjoy attending family gatherings and helping my grandmother in the garden. That’s when I hear great stories about our family’s past.”
Tyler has always had a passion for helping people, an example he learned from his mother, who is a retired elementary school music teacher, and his father, who works for Goodwill. “I have always had a desire to give back, especially in the American Indian community. The connection I feel to my Lumbee heritage is very deep.”
In his application for the MPA program, Tyler wrote, “Every time I visit down home, I pass a tall white-columned landmark, the heartbeat of the first state-supported university for Indians, UNC-Pembroke. There, in that moment of recognition, I feel a deep connection to my surroundings—Robeson County, the land of the Lumbees, and my beloved homeland. I have a commitment and desire to serve America’s ‘First People,’ and I believe the nation’s first public institution [UNC-Chapel Hill] can facilitate my accomplishing this goal.”
Tyler believes that the ethics training he is receiving in the MPA program will also help and guide him in his career. “Growing up, I witnessed and read about a lot of corruption, especially misuse of public resources,” he says. “I think I have the people’s best interest at heart, and I hope to one day be making ethical decisions to better the communities where I work and live.”
Tyler received a degree in exercise and sports science from UNC-Chapel Hill. While an undergraduate, he was president of the Carolina Indian Circle and a member of the American Indian Center’s Internal Advisory Committee. As part of his work at the University’s Office for Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, he encouraged high school students to attend college. At UNC’s Graduate School recruitment fair, he was drawn to the MPA program. “The values stated in the recruitment material really spoke to me,” he says, “and I find the MPA alumni network and small student cohort to be of real value. Also, I was interested in having a generalist degree. The skill set I acquire will be useful, regardless of where I go in my career.”
Tyler is part of a first-year team evaluating the Work Mentor Program for Builders of Hope, a nonprofit organization that provides affordable housing and job training. He is preparing for a summer internship with Robeson County local government and looking forward to helping his home county.
Tyler is a 2009–2010 recipient of a Hayman-Howard-Wright Scholarship.
This profile was first published in the Spring 2010 issue of Impact newsletter.