On May 10, 2020, the UNC MPA program welcomed 78 new members into it its alumni ranks. These students have successfully completed their coursework and defended their portfolios for the 2019-20 academic year.
Due to the ongoing closure of the University’s campus for non-essential business, springtime graduation celebrations took place virtually. As Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz has promised students that they will not miss such a pivotal part of their UNC experience, plans are in the works to host graduates back on campus for a postponed ceremony. The MPA Program will share more information as soon as it is available.
We would like to congratulate the 81 individuals who successfully completed their coursework and defended their portfolios this academic year! Welcome to the Carolina MPA alumni family — we look forward to your continued engagement and support!-Joe Moore ‘05, President of MPA Alumni Association Board
Shervin Aazami
Carol Abken
Veronica Akhter
Hallie Allen
Lorraine Allen
Greg Antoine
Jennifer Arnold
Adrienne Augustus
Christy Baucom
Gary Beck
Thomas Bennett
Jennifer Betz
Courtney Cagle
Adam Caldwell
Jordan Cansler
Richard Carey
Nicholas Cerra
Mimi Clemens
Ric Cloninger
Courtney Cooper-Lewter
Charlene Cowell-Prim
Andrew Cutler
Manisha Dass
Carol Davis
Catesby Denison
Jaime DiLauro
Rachel Downey
Brandon Edwards
Ryan Eppenberger
Brynn Fann
Brian Farmer
Korey Fisher-Wellman
Jennifer Fox
Ashleigh Genevich
Lindsey Glover
Regina Hall
Sarah Hanson
Christopher Hatton
Alexandra Hulten
Matthew Hutton
Sharon Jessup
Christopher Kanavy
Lance Larsen, Jr.
Tammy Laurence
Sydney Lawrence
Stuart Leonard
Amber Lombardi
John Lowery
Alice Mahood
Sarah Manion
Dan May
Laura McCauley Enloe
Erika McKenzie
Alice McMillan
Mike Moynahan
Brian Murphy
Molly Murray
Karson Nelson
Hannah Nystrom Earnhardt
Megan Oleynik
Tereasa Osborne
Ashley Ownbey
Earl Park
Sarah Pence
Maddison Powers
Emily Schultz
Madeline Shea
Michael Silverman
Courtney Skeete
Miles Spann
Jeffrey Stapler
Rik Stevens
Lisa Turlington
Matthew Van Epps
Katherine Weihe
Glenn Woodrum
Ruiting Yang
Jahaziel Zavaleta
This past June, the UNC School of Government successfully hosted the 2019 Public Management Research Conference (PMRC). It is the leading public management and administration research conference and the keystone event of the Public Management Research Association (PMRA). PMRC brings together scholars from across the country and around the world to learn from each other and make professional connections.
Hosting PMRC is a significant opportunity for any institution to showcase their academic impact on this field of study. This year’s event showcased the School of Government to its professional peers from a faculty scholarship and research perspective and from a venue and campus perspective. Dean Mike Smith said, “It is a brilliant example of how our work depends on the talent and hard work of so many different people—faculty and an exceptionally talented and committed professional staff. In other words, we are successful because we operate as ‘One School.’”
The Path to Hosting
Becoming the host institution for PMRC 2019 was not easy. The School submitted its first proposal in 2014 to host the event in 2017. The case had to be made that the Knapp-Sanders Building could support more than 400 outside guests and that the UNC-Chapel Hill campus—and the Research Triangle in general—would be an attractive place for visitors to come from all over the world. A second proposal in 2017, led by faculty members Leisha DeHart-Davis, Whitney Afonso, Willow Jacobson, Rick Morse, and Bill Rivenbark, secured the 2019 sponsorship.
The Largest Event at the School
Although the School hosts numerous courses, programs, and events throughout North Carolina and beyond, PMRC was the largest multi-day program held at the School itself. About 450 conference participants, representing more than 140 institutions and 19 countries came to the School for four days of academic sessions, workshops, meals, and receptions. The Joan H. Gillings Center for Dramatic Art, the UNC School of Law, and the Carolina Inn also provided space to accommodate the crowds.
An Academic Slam Dunk
The School of Government faculty prepared an extraordinary line-up of speakers and a rich platform for this multidisciplinary exchange. Many of them appeared on panels to present their own work and as gracious moderators and hosts throughout the four days. The receptions and entertainment—including a bluegrass band, an improv comedy performance, and of course, barbecue—also did not disappoint. During the conference, DeHart-Davis was elected vice president of PMRA; she will ultimately become president. This conference touched each staff division at the School and many people were involved in making it a success. Outgoing PMRA President and University of Kansas Professor Rosemary O’Leary said the conference was “superb, excellent, first class, intellectually-stimulating, and fun… It was a complete ‘slam dunk’ in every way. You have set the bar high for those who follow.”
The UNC School of Government’s Master of Public Administration program is ranked among “America’s Best Graduate Schools” by U.S. News & World Report. The program improved two positions since the 2020 rankings, ranking 19th overall in the public affairs category and maintaining its ranking as second in the nation in the local government specialty area.
The program also retained its status as 15th best in the public management field. The 2021 list marks the third consecutive improvement for the program’s overall ranking in the public affairs category.
In addition to ranking master’s degree programs in public affairs, this year U.S. News & World Report ranked master’s degree programs in social work, public health, health care management, physician assistant and rehabilitation counseling, and doctorate degrees in veterinary medicine.
Find all of the U.S. News & World Report rankings online and learn more about other graduate programs at UNC-Chapel Hill and their rankings.
Justin Stirewalt’s grandfather, retired First Sergeant Robert C. Lawson, served in the North Carolina State Highway Patrol for nearly 30 years, from 1973 to 2001. During his first year on the job, Lawson came to the then Institute of Government to train at the 54th North Carolina State Highway Patrol Basic School.
More than 40 years later, Stirewalt is studying under the same roof, of sorts, as his grandfather once did, as an MPA@UNC student. “I’ve got a picture of his class of graduates from the Patrol School program standing in front of Knapp-Sanders, and it’s really humbling to think that I’m now following in his footsteps,” said Stirewalt.
In addition to continuing his family’s legacy of education at the School, Stirewalt has built a career that mirrors his grandfather’s dedication to public service. Following his graduation from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2007, he went to work for the Surry County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy sheriff. During nearly a decade of service, he’s worked his way up through the ranks to become a detective.
The spectrum of crimes Stirewalt investigates is wide-ranging, covering everything from mailbox tampering to homicide. Regardless of the type of case, however, Stirewalt said that his responsibility remains the same. “It’s my duty to help protect this community,” he said. “And I would never want to do anything to betray the trust of the people I serve—the citizens of Surry County.”
In service of this mission, Stirewalt has often turned to the School’s publications for guidance. “Working in law enforcement really shows you the value of the School,” said Stirewalt. “From North Carolina Crimes to legislative updates, the School of Government has practically been a daily resource for me.”
But Stirewalt felt that the School’s potential to serve and enhance his career could extend beyond its publications. He applied and was accepted into the MPA program, proudly embracing the opportunity to return not only to his alma mater, but also to the institution where his grandfather trained four decades ago.
Since enrolling in the fall of 2016, Stirewalt has found not merely a balance between his career and his coursework, but also a connection between the two. “The courses—particularly on public service leadership and organizational theory—have really exposed me to a broader range of leadership styles,” he said. “I’ve learned how to lead in different ways, and appeal to each of my colleague’s strengths and deficiencies.”
Like his grandfather before him, Stirewalt is striving to be the best public servant he can be for his community. With the help of the MPA program, he believes that lofty goal is well within his reach. “Growing up, I always admired how the other officers respected my grandfather not just for the job he did, but also how he did it,” he said.
“We only get one chance to build a reputation in public service, and I’m learning the tools to build one my grandfather can be proud of.”
Justin Stirewalt received the 2017 Megan Cornog Memorial Highway Safety Scholarship from the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center. Read more at the Center’s website.
This profile was written by Andy Bradshaw and originally appeared in the winter 2018 issue of IMPACT. To view previous issues of IMPACT, visit the UNC MPA website.
UNC Master of Public Administration faculty member Kimberly Nelson has been selected to edit State and Local Government Review (SLGR), the premier journal of scholarship on state and local governance. Along with co-editor Eric S. Zeemering, the UGA School of Public and International Affairs Master of Public Administration Director, Nelson will curate the journal and develop its distinctive voice in the areas of state and local government politics, policy, and management.
With the help of an expanded and diversified editorial board, Zeemering and Nelson plan to develop a robust article submission process for the journal and increase the population of peer reviewers. They also plan to increase outreach to professional and academic associations.
For Nelson, this is an invaluable opportunity to further serve the journal’s mission by bridging the gap between practice and policy.
“I’m very excited to take on this role, because SLGR fills such an important niche in public administration and government scholarship,” said Nelson. “State and local governments are closest to the people and improving these governments can lead to meaningful differences in the people’s everyday lives. I look forward to helping connect research with practice in a way that’s rarely seen in academia.”
Historically, the pages of the journal illuminate the challenges faced by state and local policy makers and public managers. Now, as scholars think about the policy and management challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, the political polarization that strains policymaking at all levels of government, and ongoing pressure for innovation in our federal system, Dr. Zeemering hopes SLGR will be among the first journals they think of as a source for high-quality research.
“Particularly now, scholars need journals to operate efficiently and provide valuable feedback during the process of peer review,” said Zeemering. “We are dedicated to managing a professional and constructive peer review process. We believe authors, reviewers, and readers will be excited about the changes coming to the journal.”
As co-editors, Nelson and Zeemering will work in tandem toward this goal – strengthening a collaborative bond between their respective institutions.
“Eric and I will work as partners, restructuring the journal, promoting it, and determining the content,” she said. “We also see this as an opportunity to develop a partnership between two institutions that are leaders in state and local government education and scholarship.
Founded by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government of the University of Georgia, State and Local Government Review is the official journal of the Section on Intergovernmental Administration and Management (SIAM) of the American Society for Public Administration. Peer-reviewed and published quarterly, the Review welcomes manuscripts that focus on state and local governments and those that explore the intergovernmental dimensions of public sector activity. The journal includes general interest research articles, perspectives essays from leaders in state and local government, field notes (including traditional research notes and examples of innovation from practitioners), and response essays. As they move forward with their planned changes, Nelson and Zeemering will enhance the journal as a venue for dialogue among scholars and public service professionals in state and local government.
State and Local Government Review is published by SAGE Journals.
The School of Government is pleased to welcome Shayla Douglas into its Master of Public Administration program. Prior to joining the program this semester, Douglas was part of the inaugural cohort of Lead for North Carolina (LFNC) Fellows, serving in the community of Pembroke in 2019-20.
As a new student in the program, Douglas has been honored with the J. Edward Kitchen Scholarship. This award honors Kitchen, a graduate of the program who served as president of the Alumni Association as well as the School’s Foundation Board of Directors. Kitchen is a longtime supporter of the program and spent 30 years working for the City of Greensboro, where he eventually served as manager.
Kitchen is an avid supporter of LFNC and played an instrumental role in ensuring the program had a successful first year. It’s only fitting that the recipient of his namesake award not only shares a degree but also a dedication to serving communities across North Carolina.
Now in her first semester of study, Douglas plans to study in the program’s second-ranked local government concentration and specialize in City and Regional Planning. Douglas said her fellowship experience solidified her passion for local government and created a path for her to expand it upon in her postgraduate education.
When Douglas first became aware of the LFNC program, she said she considered herself a “perfect fit” and applied to join its first cohort. Douglas was promptly accepted into the program and matched to work as an LFNC Fellow in Pembroke, where she served as an assistant to the town manager. In this role, she assisted with the implementation of the town’s Americans with Disability Act (ADA) transition plan and worked on behalf of the municipality with the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund.
“These projects involved multiple citizen input sessions, which showed me the impact and influence that local governments have on citizens,” said Douglas.
In addition to these duties, Douglas independently managed large-scale projects, varying from chairing committees to boosting response rates among the town’s residents to the 2020 U.S. Census.
During her residence in Pembroke, Douglas said the town—both its local government employees and residents—made her feel welcome.
“From my first day they made Pembroke feel like home,” said Douglas. “It was very meaningful for me to have these relationships as a 20-year old out in the world alone for the first time.”
Her experience working in local government ultimately inspired her to apply to the UNC MPA program. When recounting the inspiration LFNC brought to her, Douglas said it was invaluable in illustrating the importance of centering young people around the mission of good governance.
“To me, it showed that young people do have a passion for local government and will be the change that local governments need to see,” said Douglas.
Prior to her time in Pembroke, Shayla interned for Democracy Matters and presided over a local chapter of the organization at UNC-Chapel Hill while an undergraduate student. She later earned a bachelor’s degree from the University in political science and history.
After completion of the MPA program, Douglas plans to work as a city or county manager. She expressed a dedication to keeping an open mind that the local government field may ultimately lead her down a different path, and is also considering working in the parks and recreation or clerkship. Regardless, her dedication to serving local government will persist.
“I plan to continue a career in local government and bring positive change to my community,” said Douglas.
The School is excited to welcome Shayla Douglas into its family and looks forward to equipping her with the tools needed to have a lasting impact on local governments across the state.
This story was written by Kathryn Paquet and appeared in the Summer 2020 edition of the iMPAct Alumni Newsletter
Enrolling in a graduate program is a leap of faith. But that’s nothing new for MPA@UNC student Jeana Taylor, who spends her evenings with a troupe of jumping and soaring acrobats in Cirque du Soleil’s “KÀ” production.
Born in Alton, Illinois, Taylor and her family moved to northern California when she was in third grade. She received an undergraduate degree in theater from UCLA and went on to work in film and television, taking a particular liking to comedic acting. In 2008, she received a call from a casting director who had seen her work online. He was interested in booking her an audition for a new Elvis-themed Cirque du Soleil show.
“It was so suspicious that I actually contacted my agent and said, ‘Hey, can you find out if this is legit?’” Taylor recalled. “It never occurred to me that they would reach out in such a way.”
While she didn’t get cast in that production, Taylor was added to their casting database. Less than a year later, she received a call that they were looking to replace an actor in “KÀ,” their wildly popular show at the Las Vegas MGM Grand Hotel. This time, she got the part.
She has now been in the role for nearly 11 years. “We have people come who are celebrating birthdays and anniversaries. I’ve seen a bride and groom in the front row of the theater. We’ve gotten notes from audience members who brought their kids who were struggling with cancer, and this was their night of escapism.
For some people, it’s just an hour and a half, and they walk away, and that’s it. But for others, it’s the mostbeautiful, astonishing thing they’ve ever seen. To be a part of that, this imaginative piece of work, is exciting.”
In the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election, Taylor felt shaken by what she saw unfolding around her.
“I saw the election as something that really tore at the bonds of community,” she said. “I had this feeling that I was not doing enough— that I could do more.”
In 2017, she founded the group Everyday People Taking Action, a Las Vegas-based organization that aims to inform citizens and promote participation in the political process.
The organization’s work initially focused on tracking and providing information on the bills the Nevada Legislature introduced during the 2017 session. In the lead-up to the 2018 midterms, the group expanded upon that idea by hosting issue-based political house parties.
“It became, ‘Okay, you want to hear about gun safety. Here’s a legislator talking about what they want todo with it at the legislative level,’” Taylor explained. “‘Here’s the person from Moms Demand Action who is talking about what they’re doing at the advocacy level. If this is an issue that interests you, here’s how to get involved, and here are the people who are working on it.’”
Taylor soon realized she’d found a passion that gripped her just as much as acting. Rather than leaving advocacy to her free time, she decided to make it part of her career. After researching MPA programs, she landed on UNC’s online MPA program. With two kids and a hectic work schedule, the online format was exactly what she was looking for.
“I’ve gotten online in full-face makeup, my hair in pin curls for class, and then I’ll go and get changed and do the show,” she said.
Taylor’s experience as a performer allows her to bring a unique perspective to the virtual classroom. She can thrive in a fast-paced, ever- changing environment—a skill many public managers are striving to learn as populations grow more diverse and policy problems more complex.
“Theater is unique in that it’s a microcosm of collaboration,” she said. While many of her classmates are used to working in organizations with formal hierarchies and strictly defined roles, Taylor is accustomed to a more dynamic environment, where thinking on the fly is the law of the land.
“The structure they bring is helpful to me, and I think my ability to be flexible adds something for them,” she said. “I’m more comfortable living in a chaotic world.”
After earning her degree, Taylor plans to explore nonprofit arts management. She sees herself running a children’s arts program or moving into a management role at Cirque du Soleil.
“Public administration is a newer direction for me, and I had to really think, ‘Well, I made art and theater my career because that was my passion, and that’s what I love to do, and that’s what I could do hours of without feeling like I had done hours of it,’” she said. “Why abandon it? I can bring it to the table.”