When Atticus Graysmith entered the UNC School of Government program, he thought it would also be perfect for his mother, Nicole Graysmith.
By Josh McCormack, University Communications and Marketing
Many parents support their children’s academic goals at Carolina, but few join them on the journey.
Nicole Graysmith ’94 ’99 (JD) is doing just that, pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree from the UNC School of Government alongside her son, Atticus.
What began as an offhand suggestion turned into a full-fledged family affair.
Atticus Graysmith, a 2024 NC State graduate, came to Chapel Hill to study information science at the UNC School of Information and Library Science. Passionate about community engagement, he decided to pair that with a master’s degree from the UNC School of Government.
After earning her law degree from Carolina, Nicole Graysmith worked as a legal aid attorney in the environmental justice field. A few years after becoming a mother, she switched to working for a family IT business while teaching and taking on nonprofit work.
When Atticus Graysmith enrolled in the MPA program, he saw how the curriculum would benefit his mom. Now, more than three decades after finishing her undergraduate studies in Chapel Hill, she’s enrolled as a Tar Heel yet again.
“Once Atticus got into the MPA program, he came to me and said, ‘Mom, I think this would be perfect for you,’” she said.
Though he encouraged his mom to consider public administration, he was surprised when she applied.
“At first I thought it was kind of crazy,” he said. “My mom already had a law degree. But once she explained to me why she wanted to do it and how she wanted to get back into full-time nonprofit work, it made sense to me. It also excited me because now I get to go on a journey with my mom.”
While the two share similar course loads, he takes classes on campus, and she, balancing work and other nonacademic responsibilities, studies remotely. Still, they connect over coursework and daily conversations.
“We’ve actually gotten to do some of the same assignments, and it’s been funny to hear how we tackled them differently,” Nicole Graysmith said. “One assignment we both had was to write a memo advising Gov. Stein on how to deal with problems at the DMV. Maybe I’m too wordy, but I wrote four pages, and I think Atticus wrote a page and a half.”
Nicole Graysmith said that while their differences sometimes make her laugh, she’s proud of her son’s ability to form his own opinions and ideas.
When asked about his mother’s perspectives on assignments, Atticus Graysmith’s response was more succinct.
“It’s alright,” he joked. “She’s wrong a lot of the time.”
Jokes aside, Atticus Graysmith is grateful to share this experience with his mom. It’s the latest chapter in a long family history with Carolina: Nicole Graysmith’s father and husband are both alumni, and her youngest daughter, Rosemary, is a first-year student. The family has also lived in Chapel Hill for years, mere minutes away from campus.
“We’re a Chapel Hill family,” Atticus Graysmith said. “It feels right that we’re all here, getting an education together.”
As an economic development specialist, Alyssa Blair Zimmerman is adding to their legacy of public service.
By Caroline Daly, University Communications and Marketing
Alyssa Blair Zimmerman is married to a U.S. Army veteran and comes from a family ingrained in public service.
Her dad served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 13 years and as a police officer for five. Her mom, her “biggest role model,” works for a Veterans Affairs hospice center.
Zimmerman, who will receive her Master of Public Administration degree at Carolina’s Winter Commencement ceremony Dec. 14, is carrying on that public service mission in her own way. She earned her degree from the UNC School of Government while working full-time as an economic development specialist for Franklin County.
“My mom puts her life and soul into her work and cares about her patients,” Zimmerman said. “It’s the same with me when I’m meeting with a small business owner who’s telling me their whole life story and why they’re doing what they do. They put their blood, sweat and tears into a business, and I’m going to do everything I can to help them succeed. I’m very passionate about local government and how that government continues to serve the community.”
Zimmerman graduated from UNC Greensboro in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and exercise science. Her studies helped her discover a love for policy and conflict management, something that inspired her to study abroad in Germany and South Korea. Then she decided to go to graduate school, earning a dual master’s degree from UNCG in peace and conflict studies and international development.
After graduating, Zimmerman interned for Special Olympics North Carolina, then worked for the City of Oxford as an executive administrative assistant, then a communications specialist and later a downtown development main street director.
In February 2024, Zimmerman took on her current economic development role, focusing on business recruitment and retention, and community and workforce development initiatives. She supports local businesses and economic development efforts in Franklin County, showing employers why it is an attractive place to grow.
“I’m very much community minded; I love people. So, for me, economic development isn’t necessarily about the businesses. It’s about the people behind the businesses,” said Zimmerman. “I would say my sweet spot is working with small businesses and local shops because hearing their stories is what motivates me to be better at what I do.”
Zimmerman said the MPA program takes a deep dive into the practical side of what she does each day and puts it into perspective of why government is very important. “The classes I enjoyed the most were leadership development and organizational theory of open government management. All my classes shaped my understanding and eagerness to continue forward with becoming a city manager or working in management in some type of fashion.”
Zimmerman hopes to use her new skills to become a city manager one day.
“The program has helped me feel more confident going into different situations and being able to handle a situation no matter what it is, whether it’s dealing with a business or with the public,” said Zimmerman. “I’ve also gained more knowledge in terms of North Carolina laws that the state uses, general statutes and what is expected of local employees.”
Wherever she goes, she’ll carry on the lessons learned from her family.
“That’s where I see my life having meaning and where I see the best place for me to raise my voice to help other people,” said Zimmerman. “My family has instilled public service in me since I was a kid. Now, it motivates me because I think the community deserves to have good public officials.”
by Katie Geith
The UNC Master of Public Administration program celebrates the kickoff of the first cohort of students to pursue their MPA degrees through “Service to Service”, a program connecting veterans and military families with education pathways and careers in public service. Launched in October 2024 by the Volcker Alliance and We the Veterans, 12 schools were selected to be part of the program to recruit participants, provide networking opportunities and professional development, and facilitate job placement in state and local government upon graduation.
The UNC School of Government is uniquely positioned to set up the initiative for success. Nearly 15 percent of the School’s MPA student body are either active duty, veterans, or serving in the National Guard. Additionally, North Carolina has one of the largest military footprints in the United States, with over 89,000 active-duty personnel serving at bases across the state. With our mission of preparing public service leaders, our dedicated career services team, and 43 percent of our alumni network working in state or local government, the program is thrilled to be among the chosen schools for interested students.
UNC MPA’s inaugural cohort includes 12 new students, the largest cohort of all the University partners. The national cohort includes 40 students including military service members, retired veterans, and military dependents/spouses. An orientation was held in mid-September at the Ohio State University to kick off programming. Students were able to meet with each other, hear from a panel of other service members who transitioned into state and local government careers, and receive guidance from academic advisors on ensuring a smooth transition into graduate school.
Below, two participants in the program share their stories.
John Terziu
Why did you decide to join the Service to Service initiative?
Since retiring, my heart has been set on finding a way to keep serving, not just in theory, but in a way that lets me stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those who share the same calling. Service to Service felt like the perfect opportunity to do exactly that: to be back among my brothers and sisters in arms, united by a common mission and a relentless drive to make a difference. This isn’t just a program for me; it’s a chance to live out my purpose again in the company of those who know what it means to sacrifice, lead, and serve.
What draws you toward a career in public service?
For me, the answer is simple: people. I believe deeply in helping people, lifting them up, solving their problems, and making their lives better. Public service gives me the chance to channel my energy and capabilities into something far bigger than myself. It’s about impact. It’s about using every ounce of energy I have to ensure that communities thrive, and people feel seen, heard, and valued.
What was orientation like in mid-September?
I walked into that room and immediately felt like I was surrounded by the highest caliber of people this world has to offer. Every single person was educated, driven, mission-focused, and deeply inspired. The air carried the weight of purpose. It reminded me of being back in uniform, where excellence was the standard and you could feel the energy of a team that refused to settle for less than greatness.
What are you most looking forward to during this experience?
The people, without question. To be surrounded by such highly intellectual, passionate individuals is an honor. But more than that, I look forward to being part of a team again that doesn’t allow differences to divide us. Instead, we embrace diversity as our strength. We come from different walks of life, with different beliefs and values, but at the end of the day, we are united by one thing: the mission. And when you bring that kind of unity and focus together, there is nothing we cannot achieve.
Erin Mathis
Why did you decide to join the Service to Service initiative?
I joined on a recommendation from Cara Robinson and Elizabeth Langefeld when I was first accepted to the UNC MPA program. Prior to that, I did not really know much about it.
What draws you toward a career in public service?
My experiences as a kid drive my interest in public service now. My father retired from an enlisted career in the Air Force when I was eight and did not work until I turned 16. My mother worked a minimum wage job. My mother suffered a debilitating injury at work, which left her permanently injured and unable to work. Due to the income reduction, my family qualified for free breakfast and lunch programs at school. I cannot overstate how much of a difference the free and reduced lunch program made for me. Now that I am older and in a very different situation financially, I want to play a role in ensuring that others are able to receive necessary assistance like I had.
What are you most looking forward to during this experience?
I am most looking forward to the opportunities to meet other people interested in public service who have different experiences than my own.
Sarah Dhunjishaw is originally from Colorado and received her undergraduate degree from Queens University. She is a 2nd year oncampus student interested in local government and is currently working on her Professional Work Experience with Wake County Budget Department.
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The North Carolina Local Government Budgeting Association awards two scholarships every year to attend their summer conference. This year, it was held July 9th-12th in Asheville, North Carolina for a weekend of learning, networking, and all things budgeting.
Sarah’s interest in budgeting developed after she discovered her interest in local government. Sarah was formerly a Lead for North Carolina Fellow who returned to the School of Government to obtain her MPA because ‘it felt like the right next step, and I always knew a Masters would help open career doors a bit wider for me’.
While Sarah discovered local government through the LFNC program, she has always had a public service mindset and had originally planned to go into nonprofit work. Through her local government experience, she began to learn the vastness of how local governments impact. As she explains, “Local government isn’t for a specific population. It serves everyone in a geographic area. So anyone within the geographic area, regardless of your socioeconomic status or specifics that a nonprofit might normally target, local government encapsulates all of those people.”
She began to see how the budgets told a story about where a community wants to go. “I want to be the person that’s working behind the scenes, telling the story, and helping people get the funding so they can implement the programs they want to do.” She has also enjoyed getting the chance to work with departments that serve the areas of education, public safety, social services, and other community services like parks and recreation and libraries.
First year students are required to take a budget and finance class, and Sarah used that class to help her figure out where she wanted to do her PWE. She chose to study Wake County’s local government budget as part of a class project which she said helped her land the Wake County Professional Work Experience this summer.
Over the next year, Sarah is gearing up to finish her MPA and hopes to continue her professional career in a budget office after she graduates.
As a graduate student that is interested in pursuing a career in local government budgeting, this experience at the NCLGBA conference was incredibly valuable to her. Through formal sessions at the conference, she was able to dig deeper into the current local government budget landscape in North Carolina and gained valuable takeaways on how to respond as a budgeter in this political atmosphere.
“The personal and professional development that I received from the sessions and networking events has helped prepare me for my future as a young professional in local government. I have left the NCLGBA conference inspired, motivated, and more knowledgeable about my chosen career path. I am so grateful to the NCLGBA for the scholarship and opportunity to attend such a transformational conference!”
The theme of this year’s Deil S. Wright Public Service Forum is emergency management. Organized by School of Government faculty member Crista Cuccaro and offered In conjunction with the UNC MPA Immersion course on Emergency Management, this year’s Deil S. Wright Public Service Forum will feature an engaging discussion on the topic with experts and practitioners in the field.
The Deil S. Wright Public Service Forum will again be linked to the UNC MPA program’s Immersion course, this year on Emergency Management. The Forum will be a panel discussion moderated by Norma Houston that focuses on relationships and coordination between local, state, and federal governments for successful emergency management.
Speaking about emergency management from the local government perspective will be UNC MPA alumna Christina Farrell ’92, First Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Emergency Management; Will Ray, North Carolina Emergency Management Director; and Erik Hooks, former Deputy Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
In person registration for School of Government community members and #uncmpa program alumni. Reception to follow.
Virtual registration available for prospective students and those interested in emergency management.
Meg is a current student from Naperville, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. She graduated from Butler University in Indianapolis where she studied Political Science, Geography & Global Societies, and Peace & Conflict Studies.
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Q1: Why are you pursuing an MPA?
I chose to pursue an MPA because I have always been drawn to high-impact work that shapes communities in meaningful ways. Through my experiences working with local governments, nonprofits, public-private organizations, and private companies in college, I recognized the value of an MPA in bridging my work in these sectors and equipping me with the skills to advance my career. I chose UNC because of its welcoming community, the School of Government’s strong reputation both in North Carolina and nationally, and the opportunity to be part of a growing region with dynamic economic development and local government opportunities.
Q2: Can you share a bit about your background before joining the program?
Before joining the program, I gained diverse internship experiences. My first internship was with Project C.U.R.E., an international nonprofit, where I researched potential funders and drafted letters of intent to secure grant funding for medical supplies distributed to Ukraine and other countries in need. I also interned with the City of Indianapolis, where I worked across multiple departments, including the Office of Education and Innovation, the Department of Metropolitan Development, and the Office of Public Health and Safety. I then joined VOX Global, a public affairs agency, where I supported over 25 accounts, ranging from national banks to local nonprofits. Finally, I interned with Downtown Indianapolis Inc., where I contributed to the establishment of an Economic Enhancement District and led a survey assessing the impact of events on local businesses.
Q3: What has been the most valuable course or experience in the MPA program thus far?
One of the most valuable experiences in my MPA journey has been the opportunity to apply public administration theories to real-world challenges. Whether it’s engaging stakeholders or developing strategic policies, the program has provided a hands-on understanding of how effective leadership and collaboration drive meaningful change. A key part of this has been the variety of guest speakers in different classes, who bring class concepts to life and demonstrate their real-world applications in the public administration field. This exposure to practitioners has deepened my understanding of course material and reinforced the program’s practical focus. Building on this, the most impactful experience so far has been attending the NCEDA Career Trek. This event featured panels of incredibly knowledgeable professionals who provided context for much of what I learned in my Managing Economic Development elective in the fall. I also formed connections with professionals who have become mentors and have supported me with class projects. These relationships have been invaluable in shaping my academic and professional journey.
Q4: How do you balance the program with other commitments?
I have found it manageable to balance coursework with personal and professional opportunities. The class schedule provides ample time to fully commit to assignments while allowing flexibility for networking, attending conferences, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance—whether that means going to UNC sporting events, spending time with friends, or working out. This flexibility has enabled me to attend the ICMA National Conference, where I connected with local government professionals from across the country, and the NCEDA Career Trek, which deepened my understanding of economic development in North Carolina.
Q5: What is your favorite part about the program?
My favorite part of being in the UNC MPA community is, broadly, the people. This program has given me meaningful friendships that I truly cherish and know will be long-lasting. We are also fortunate to learn from professors who are both experts in their fields and dedicated mentors, making classes engaging, fun, and impactful. Additionally, the strong alumni network has been an invaluable part of my experience—alumni have been incredibly generous, offering guidance, support, and insights that have enriched my journey in the program.
Q6: What is your advice to someone considering the program or graduate school in general?
To anyone considering this program, my advice is to stay open-minded and curious. You may enter with a clear career path in mind, but some of the most valuable growth comes from exploring new perspectives and opportunities. Build relationships with peers, professors, and alumni, and take advantage of the opportunities that come your way. Staying flexible will help you make the most of this experience and uncover new passions along the way. I also thought two years would feel long, but now that I’m nearly halfway through, I can say it flies by—so embrace every moment and enjoy the journey!
Q7: What will you be doing this summer?
I’m spending my summer with the Granville County Manager’s Office, where I’m supporting County Administration in coordinating agency activities and aligning departmental work with the vision of the Board of Commissioners. I’m also assisting individual departments—especially economic development and budget—through various research projects, data analysis, content creation, and more. The role allows me to contribute to ongoing initiatives while gaining a deeper understanding of how county government operates across departments.
Outside of school, I enjoy barre and other fitness classes, exploring new coffee shops and restaurants, attending sporting events, listening to The Mel Robbins Podcast, and traveling whenever I can.
Joshua Baird loves working in local government. He is using his engineering expertise to enhance infrastructure, implement environmentally sustainable practices and ensure the town’s water and sewer utility is both efficient and fiscally responsible. Queue in the MPA from UNC where he is gaining long-range planning skills and big picture decision making-skills to help support his areas of responsibility.
Read more about Joshua Baird’s role and his decision to pursue the MPA from UNC.
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
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.
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.