Graduates of the UNC Master of Public Administration program gathered Saturday, December 14 to celebrate commencement. Friends, faculty, and staff convened to honor the 16 graduates as they begin the next phase of their public service journey.
During the ceremony, graduates were hooded and pinned by UNC MPA Director Willow Jacobson. In her remarks, she congratulated her former students on their successful completion of the program and urged them to remain passionate in their pursuit of public service—a hallmark trait of UNC MPA graduates.
“Congratulations to the Master of Public Administration graduates. Your dedication, hard work, and passion for public service have brought you to this momentous achievement,” she said. “The mission of the MPA program is ‘to prepare public service leaders and create useable knowledge that improves governance.’ The leaders graduating today join an amazing alumni base that continues to have meaningful and impactful change in the organization and communities in which they work. We are incredibly proud of you and excited to see the remarkable contributions you will make in the future.”
Congratulations to our December graduates:
Alexander Canan
Mariya Carrier
Stacey Conner
Natalee Dally
Laura Gomez-Nichols
Olivia Jessup
Jenna Kubiak
Malasia McClendon
Madeline Milligan
Cristina Ortiz
Thomas Persico
Mary Propst
Fernando Santillan
William Summer
Krystal Wallick
Audrey Wheeler
Read about two of our recent graduates – Madeline Milligan and William Summer as they tell us about their post-graduation plans and how the MPA has helped shape their career.
Hear from employers who recruit MPA students during the Employer Pitch Session, as part of the MPA Career and Networking Fair. Each organization will have the opportunity to share information about their work, organization, and positions they are hiring for now and in the future.
While this event is for current students in the program who will be entering the job market soon, this is a great opportunity for prospective students to learn more about the MPA job market and experience our career service offerings.
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from employers representing local governments, state governments, the federal government, non-profits, and private sector employers.
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
Ian Wheeler, 2nd year student
Hometown: Hampton, VA
Academics: Bachelor of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2013 and MA in Teaching and ESL Edication in 2015 from College of William and Mary.
We asked Ian a little about what he’s up to with his research assistantship.
Q: Why are you getting your MPA?
I am a dual-degree student in Library Science and I wanted an MPA to give me the leadership skills and understanding of public systems needed to serve citizens in library settings more effectively and efficiently.
Q: What are you currently working on for this assistantship?
Recently, Dr. Stephens recognized a need to explore the impacts of artificial intelligence on the public sector, so he taught an immersive, weekend-long intensive class on the topic this semester. I served as his teaching assistant and evaluated hundreds of articles as a part of our work together.
Q: How is it working with Dr. Stephens?
Dr. Stephens is an expert on mediation and conflict resolution. My major responsibility involves analyzing, summarizing, and synthesizing research articles pertaining to all kinds of citizen and government interaction including food policy councils, coproduction, and law enforcement advisory boards.
Q: What has this research assistantship experience opened your eyes to?
It has opened my eyes to the breadth of topics that can be covered under the umbrella of public administration. Further, I have learned how everyday citizens can impact public services through a variety of volunteer and advisory board roles.
Q: Where do you see your career going?
After graduation, I initially want to be a school librarian where I work with youth on civic engagement. Eventually, I would like to use the leadership skills I have developed in the MPA program to be a director of school libraries or youth services director for a large local or state library system.
Register for this event if you are interested in learning more about the MPA program at UNC. This session is for anyone exploring the MPA.
The event will be facilitated by our Director of Admissions, Cara Robinson and will include participation from two members of our UNC MPA community.
Kevin Fulbright: Digital Accessibility Program Manager for the Indian Health Service, current online student
David Cooke: City Manager for Ft. Worth, Texas, program alum
Topic areas that will be discussed include:
– What is the MPA, and who is it for?
– MPA vs. other degrees
– Why UNC?
– The student experience
– Program Outcomes and Career Services
– Application Process and Financial Aid
This event is an opportunity for enrolled public administration and public policy students around the Triangle to learn about the relevant work and opportunities at multiple North Carolina State Agencies.
Event collaborators are the North Carolina Office of State Human Resources and the career centers at UNC MPA School of Government, Duke Sanford School of Public Policy, Meredith College, NC State School of Public and International Affairs.
This event will take place at the Albemarle Building in Raleigh. Contact your career services professional for more information.
After a summer state government internship and a waste audit, Brianna Beadle is back to studying public administration.
By Joshua McCormack, University Communications, Wednesday, September 11th, 2024
For Brianna Beadle, public service has long been part of her identity.
After receiving a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Florida Atlantic University, Beadle took time off to work in the Florida Student Power Network, where she serves as part of their advisory board. She is now in Chapel Hill pursuing a dual master’s degree in public administration with the UNC School of Government and the city and regional planning department in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Despite the intense workload a dual master’s degree entails, Beadle was not interested in having a quiet summer. Instead, she spent most of her time interning with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.
“It was my job to research composting across the state and find how recycling can feed into our economy,” Beadle said. “I would talk to individuals at composting recycling facilities and ask how they believed they were affecting their community.”
Beadle says it was eye-opening to see how political machinations and cynicism among state residents influenced either a negative or indifferent response to composting in many communities. Certain projects, however, reminded her of the positive impact composting can have.
“I worked on a waste audit at the department’s building where we implemented a composting bin and then analyzed a day’s worth of trash,” Beadle explained. “We found out that after implementing the bin, we had reduced waste in the building over the summer.”
Beadle was also inspired by the hard work of the department’s team. When she wasn’t gathering statistics or doing field site visits to different North Carolina counties, she sat in on meetings listening to individuals talk about making a difference.
“One of the most impactful things was when I got to do a Q&A with the DEQ secretary Elizabeth Biser,” Beadle said. “Just having someone at her level say, ‘Hey, there’s a future for you on this career path’ was really important.”
Biser and others have provided inspiration for what Beadle can do after her time at Carolina. She has developed a passion for state government and believes this summer’s experience with the DEQ gave her an understanding of how environmentalism is feasible in our economy.
“I learned so much about how our climate and economy are intertwined,” Beadle said. “I’d love to have a role in telling people how renewable energy is feasible and how to embrace composting. I want to let people know there’s a way to slowly transition to better resources for our environment.”
This year at Carolina, Beadle is looking forward to expanding her knowledge in housing and community development. She will also serve as president of the MPA’s Diversity Committee, in which she hopes to showcase different career opportunities in public administration that celebrate diversity.
No matter what Beadle accomplishes during her time here at Carolina or in the years that follow, there can be no doubt that her work will be for the betterment of the community.
As the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill welcomes back faculty, staff, and students to campus, the School of Government’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program is busy at work welcoming new and returning students. With summer entering the rearview mirror, the School decided to check in with Dean Aimee Wall and MPA faculty to find out what they listened to and read to keep learning and engaged during the summer—right as they kick into a new academic semester.
Ricardo S. Morse, Professor of Public Administration and Government
“I’ve been really enjoying Simon Sinek’s ‘A Bit of Optimism’ podcast. He is an innovative thinker and great communicator and the conversations on his podcast always leave me with much food for thought.
“A highlight from this summer was a two-episode conversation with Adam Grant and Brené Brown, two scholars who have influenced my own work and for whom I have a lot of respect.”
C. Tyler Mulligan, David M. Lawrence Distinguished Professor of Public Law and Government
“I had some long drives to summer conferences and training programs, so I took the opportunity to discover some new podcasts. Bloomberg’s ‘Odd Lots’ podcast lured me in with an interview about a possible solution to the housing crisis—the recommendation turned out to be a federal guarantee of subordinated construction loans for housing, and I geeked out on details about the secondary debt market.
“Another podcast in the same vein is ‘Capitalisn’t’ with smart interviews conducted by a University of Chicago Business School professor and a business reporter. That podcast hooked me with an in-depth look at globalization.
“Finally, a little closer to home, I’ve enjoyed listening to interviews of North Carolina economic development professionals on the ‘The New Economic Developers on the Block.’”
Kimberly L. Nelson, Professor of Public Administration and Government
“I love to listen to the podcast ‘Stuff You Should Know’. It focuses on random topics that the hosts research and discuss. It could be history, science, or pop culture topics.
“Another listen was ‘American Scandal’. It is a history podcast that describes events such as government or corporate corruption cases.
“Trust is a Pulitzer Prize-winning fictional work that is difficult to describe. The story is told through four other fictional books about the life of a billionaire and his wife. The novel-within-a-novel concept is different from anything I’ve read before.”
Charles Szypszak, Albert Coates Distinguished Professor of Public Law and Government
“I’m currently reading three books, alternating among them. I am studying David Crowley’s Warsaw. Crowley is a professor of visual culture. I just returned from a work visit to Warsaw and was amazed by how much has changed since I was last there several years ago, and especially by how well it is blending modern development with a preserved sense of history.
“I mostly switch back and forth between this book and Yaz: Baseball, the Wall, and Me, an autobiography by Boston Red Sox star Carl Yastrzemski. When I was young, I was not a Red Sox fan, but growing up in a Polish-speaking household I heard of “Yaz” and he is often mentioned as a great player. Yaz grew up on a potato farm on Long Island and is known for the way he intensely practiced and mastered the fine points of fielding and hitting. I am mostly curious to hear how he described his challenges and successes.
“The third book is Richard Brzezinski’s Polish Winged Hussar, about calvary tactics of legendary warriors known for the “wings” worn on their backs, because I continue my interest in military history and tactics.
Aimee N. Wall, Dean
“I recently finished reading The Women by Kristin Hannah. The story’s focus on the friendships shared among women—in this instance, American women who served in Vietnam during the war—was incredibly moving and made me want to celebrate the many women in my life who have lifted me up and made me laugh.
“For podcasts, I really enjoyed ‘The Rest is History’, which offers bite-size history lessons and discussions, all with lovely British accents!”
The Promises and Perils of Artificial Intelligence for Public Administration and Government
Join David Yokum, JD, PhD, North Carolina’s Chief Scientist in the Office of State Budget & Management and Professor of the Practice and Director of The Policy Lab at UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Data Science & Society, who will lead a panel discussion about AI’s current landscape as it relates to the policies and programs in public service and local government.
A reception will immediately follow the panel discussion.
Please register EACH individual who plans to attend.
Virtual attendees are invited to register here.
UNC MPA is excited to welcome 64 new students in fall 2024—with 29 joining the on-campus format and 35 enrolling in our online format. These students hail from Washington State to Washington D.C., representing different interests and academic backgrounds and professional goals.
They are unified in their pursuit for an excellent education among like-minded leaders who are committed to impacting communities, governments, and organizations that serve the public for the better. Meet a few of them below!
Carlos Morales
Hometown: Columbia, SC
Undergrad Degree and Alma Mater: BA in Public Health, with a major in Food Systems, Nutrition and Health and University of Washington
Areas of Interest: Food and Environmental Policy, rooted in social and racial justice
Q: Why the MPA? How did you decide it was the right degree for you and your career goals?
Over the past decade, I have been on a path of public service that has continually evolved, from owning a restaurant and serving community members to serving as a food educator with AmeriCorps and teaching kids how to grow and cook the food from the school garden. Next, I would find myself farming, learning regenerative practices, and working to reconnect to the land and my body. This path brought me to the local food bank in Bellingham, WA, where I would serve on the Board of Directors for the past two years, serving the community and trying to discover how we can better meet the needs of the people who use us a resource. All of these steps along the way were driven by relationship building, learning, and hearing one another’s journey. These experiences helped to reconstruct my focus and illuminate a new path forward, focusing on my goal of policy reform and having a seat at the table to imagine how we can deconstruct and reestablish policies that better serve the communities they are trying to impact. Gaining an MPA will help prepare me with the tools necessary to help facilitate, lead, and construct the change I’d like to see and will prepare me to be a public service leader and beyond.
Q: There are lots of places out there to get your MPA. How did you end up at Carolina?
I appreciate that Carolina’s MPA program has a focus on local government. To me, local government is where a lot of policy and programming gets to be practiced and implemented firsthand. Being involved with the public sector on a local level gives you the opportunity to have relationships with the community you serve and allows for more robust interventions and systemic change, identifying gaps and working together to bridge the change that’s needed. UNC’s dedication to the state and local government will give me the required knowledge and help illuminate each sector’s nuances, privileges, and barriers. Carolina will build my confidence around scalability and prepare me to help our systems better reflect the city and the people we serve.
Q: Is there a class or professor or experience you are looking forward to in the program?
I’m looking forward to getting to know our cohort and professors. One thing that stood out about the MPA program was how tight the cohort size was. I’m excited to develop my relationships with everyone, dive into discussions, and learn from one another.
Q: Last question for fun, what are you currently reading or listening to?
I’m currently reading What It Takes to Heal: How Transforming Ourselves Can Change the World by Prentis Hemphill.
Andrea Sheetz
Hometown: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Undergrad Degree and Alma Mater: Bachelors in Economics and Sociology from Elon University
Current job title/Employer: Workforce and Economic Development Administrator at Forsyth County Government
Areas of Interest: Public-private partnerships, strategic planning in local government
Q: Why the MPA? How did you decide it was the right degree for you and your career goals?
In undergrad I studied systemic social and economic disadvantages and often saw the public sector as a solution to those issues through policy revision and assistance programs, but only when led and managed effectively. In my current role, I collaborate with many businesses, educational institutions, and non-profits around helping the private sector find a talented workforce, ensuring jobs in our community are accessible through training programs, and that wrap-around supports are adequately funded and meeting the needs of their target population. I regularly make and see decisions around funding, policy language, and eligibility criteria that can determine a program’s success in helping the community. Earning an MPA will enhance my ability to affect change in my current community, hone my professional interests and talents to learn where I can be the most effective leader, and help me develop the skills and resources necessary to succeed in a variety of settings.
Q: There are lots of places out there to get your MPA. How did you end up at Carolina?
When working with County management on a new project or issue, one of the first questions our leadership asks is “What does the School of Government have to say about that?” I have frequently seen the School of Government serve as the preeminent expert on local government leadership and policy in North Carolina. It is clear this institution and program understands the importance of, continually invests in, and stays committed to public servants. I have been fortunate to find a variety of mentors in my organization and across my community whose perspective and dedication to public service I deeply admire, all of whom have received their MPA from Carolina. From my current director calling a former faculty member to get his advice on legal housing solutions, to classmates of a former County manager attending his retirement celebration, the relationships I am looking forward to building in this program will go beyond graduation and shape my career for years to come.
Q: Is there a class or professor or experience you are looking forward to in the program?
I am most looking forward to the applied research problem! There are many topics in my day-to-day work I want to dive deeper on and can’t wait to have that opportunity with the expertise of scholars and other practitioners.
Q: Last question for fun, what are you currently reading or listening to?
Recently my music has been a rotation of Lord Huron, Maggie Rogers, and the new Glass Animals album. I just finished reading Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro and am in the middle of Real Americans by Rachel Khong.
Kara Morton
Hometown: Milton, Florida (currently resides in Raleigh, NC)
Undergrad Degree: BS Criminal Justice, concentration in Homeland Security
Alma mater: North Carolina Central University, Eagle Pride!
Civilian Job Title: Federal Police Officer for the Department of Veterans Affairs, United States Army Reserves Seargant First Class (SFC)
Areas of Interest: Military Police & Anti-Terrorism/ Force Protection Advisor
Q: Why the MPA? How did you decide it was the right degree for you and your career goals?
My earliest memories are of my parents’ selfless service to others, which sparked a desire in me to serve others from a young age. My experience in the U.S. Army and law enforcement has not only deepened this commitment but also ignited a passion for public service leadership. With an Master’s in Public Administration (MPA), I aim to become a skilled leader prepared to apply policy that effectively addresses complex issues in public service. My ultimate aspiration is to join the Department of Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC), where I can leverage my unique blend of military, law enforcement, and academic expertise to recommend and implement vital security policies that benefit both the private and public sectors.
Q: There are lots of places out there to get your MPA. How did you end up at Carolina?
Easy question! Carolina has a rich history of public service and reputation of leadership excellence and policy. From the faculty to advisors, and even alumni- I am confident that I am among likeminded driven leaders who are committed to my academic and professional growth. The thought of being apart of a supportive and collaborative community, excites me as I look forward to the fall semester.
Q: Is there a class or professor or experience you are looking forward to in the program?
Absolutely, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to attend Leadership Courses under Dr. Morse, an expert in Public Administration and Leadership and to be a part of the MPA Immersion experience. The immersion experience will provide a valuable opportunity to network and learn from seasoned professionals, who currently work in the government sector.
Q: Last question for fun, what are you currently reading or listening to?
Currently, I’m reading The Serving Leader Jennings and Stahl-Wert (2016), which has been a really impactful book for me. I’ve only made it to the fourth chapter so far, but I’m already seeing a lot of relevance to my own leadership style and goals.
Noah Champion
Hometown: Ellenboro, NC
Undergrad Degree and Alma Mater: Bachelor of Arts in History, North Carolina State University
Current job title/Employer: Procurement Intern with the North Carolina Department of
Administration
Areas of Interest: Local Government & Economic Development
Q: Why the MPA? How did you decide it was the right degree for you and your career
goals?
Throughout undergrad, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in public service and find
a way to better my community but I tossed around how. Following an internship with the City of Gastonia, I fell in love with local government work and discovered the MPA. After extensive research, I realized how versatile the degree is and how I could make a real impact on my community and others. Along with that, the degree itself will allow me to pursue a career where I feel fulfilled in the work that I am doing.
Q: There are lots of places out there to get your MPA. How did you end up at Carolina?
After discovering that I wanted to pursue a career in government I began to research MPA
programs. When I saw that Carolina was ranked #2 in local government management it was the obvious choice. However, what sealed the deal for me was the community that I not only read about on student blogs and reviews of the program but also what I experienced at the MPA Open House. During this event, I was able to hear about the cohort community along with interacting with prospective students, professors, and some alumni. These interactions proved to me how engaged the community is at Carolina and how I wanted to be a part of it.
Q: Is there a class or professor or experience you are looking forward to in the program?
From the outside looking in I am extremely excited about jumping into coursework while also getting to know the 2025 & 2026 cohorts. With my coursework, I am looking forward to taking some electives in economic development and potentially making it my concentration. One course I’m especially excited about eventually taking is Community Development and Revitalization Techniques with Professor Mulligan. This topic interests me especially because my county’s economic growth has been tepid for as long as I can remember and I would like to explore ways to potentially remedy that problem. Along with coursework, I am looking forward to the MPA Immersion and seeing how AI is going to potentially revolutionize public sector work.
Q: Last question for fun, what are you currently reading or listening to?
This summer, I have slowly been reading “A People’s History of the United States” by Howard Zinn. I picked the book up both out of genuine curiosity and because it focuses on wiring a history from below, an area of historical writing that I find fascinating. Along with reading, I have been listening to both Elton John’s album “Madman Across the Water” and Rod Stewart’s album Every Picture Tells a Story on repeat.