Hometown: Monroe, CT & Storrs Mansfield, CT
Alma mater: University of Connecticut (UConn)

Undergraduate Degree(s): BA – Sociology, BS – Psychological Sciences, BA – Individualized: Criminal Behavior. Minors in Literary Translation and Public Policy

Q: What are your areas of interest in the program or career goals? 

Through the MPA program, I hope to gain further leadership experience in the public sector and understand the best management practices for government-based agencies. I aspire to work in law enforcement with a long-term goal of working in leadership. Along the way, I will use research to back my decision-making to increase equity, reduce corruption, and make our communities a safer place for all to call home.

Q: How did you discover the MPA degree?

My undergraduate studies (both inside the classroom and in professional experiences) allowed me to explore and identify pressing problems in government and society as a whole – it became clear to me that the next step is to learn how to properly address these issues. Pursuing a Master of Public Administration allows me to bridge theory with practice and provides me with the flexibility to gain professional experience while furthering my studies.

Q: Why did you decide to get your MPA at UNC? 

I originally did not think that UNC would be my home for the next two years until attending Admitted Students Day in March, and there were many reasons that led to my decision. First, a state as large as North Carolina allows for collaboration on all levels of government – Connecticut doesn’t have county government, so even that is a big change for me. I also chose UNC as the School of Government has a strong emphasis on practical experience and professionalism, both through employment and the mentorship program. The final selling point for me was both hearing and seeing how tight knit the cohorts are; community is a huge factor for me and I’m glad I am finding mine here!

Q: What are you reading/listening to this summer?

I’m a big fan of graphic novels, so I’m currently re-reading Daytripper by Gabriel Bá and Fábio Moon. I listen to a lot of music and I’d like to believe that I have a very diverse taste – anything from folk, indie, country, or even Brazilian pop. This summer, some of the many artists I’ve had on repeat are Chance Peña, Noah Kahan, Cody Carnes, Remi Wolf, Tyler Childers, Hans Williams, and Wilderado.

Hometown: Charleston, West Virginia

Alma mater: Emory University

Undergraduate Degree(s): Bachelor of Arts in English and Film & Media

Q: What are your areas of interest in the program or career goals?

I am a dual degree student, so I will be pursuing an MPA alongside a Master of Science in Library Science (MSLS) with the UNC School of Information and Library Science. My career goal is to be a leader in a public sector field that assists and works with public libraries, whether I end up working in local government, state government, or even in a public library. I am deeply passionate about literature and the arts, and I am even more passionate about serving the public. Having the opportunity to earn an MPA alongside an MSLS and to combine my interests is a dream come true!

Q: How did you discover the MPA degree?

After I graduated from Emory University, I moved back home to work for the State of West Virginia. I was a full-time Library Assistant for the West Virginia Library Commission, the state governmental agency that assists all West Virginia public libraries, helping in areas such as funding, electronic resources, and consulting services. Every day I was inspired by the enthusiasm and determination of all the librarians and library directors I interacted with. Whether I was answering phone calls, attending conferences, or visiting public libraries, I realized how important the work I was doing was to the local communities of my home state. My drive for a leadership position grew exponentially. So, I started looking for masters programs related to my career interests, and when I saw the UNC MPA degree had a dual option with a MSLS, I knew UNC would be perfect for me!

Q: Why did you decide to get your MPA at UNC?

Along with the dual degree, I really love the MPA Program’s strength in the field of local government. Ideally, I want to work for the public at the closest level possible–I believe the closer to your local community you are, the better you can serve it. The MPA Program also combines academic theory with real-world practice, which is a smart approach to public sector work. The MPA at UNC is a balanced program that includes different aspects of public administration without diminishing any of them. I am also very excited to be working as a Graduate Research Assistant for an MPA professor for the year and to get even more hands-on research experience!

Q: What are you reading/listening to this summer?
This summer I have been really diving into Claire Keegan’s work–I just finished Foster and I have started Small Things Like These. I love her succinct yet picturesque and intentional writing. I have also been reading Juneau Black’s Shady Hollow, a magical mystery with talking woodland creatures! For music, I have been listening to a lot of Lorde, The Marías, and Bon Iver.

Q: What was the path you took to get to where you are now? 

My path was not super linear. After undergrad, I tested the waters in some other fields, including law. It didn’t take me too long to realize that I wanted a career path more aligned with my personal passion of serving the public. I followed the advice of a mentor to look up people with careers that I admire and to see what kind of credentials they had. That’s when I kept coming across something called an MPA. It was the first time I had heard of this degree and was pleased to see that Carolina (my alma mater) had this as an option. The next thing I knew, I was applying for the online option, which allowed me to continue to work while earning my degree. In the blink of an eye, I had earned my degree and was working in local government, which was my goal when I started this journey. 

Q: Have you pursued any other certifications since your MPA? 

Since earning my degree, I have received a Certificate in Insights for Innovation (through IDEO U). This certificate is focused on using human-centered design approaches. I also earned my Black Belk from the Denver PEAK Academy. 

Q: Is the field you are working in now relevant to your MPA degree? 

Yes, it’s directly related. My focus is on strategic planning and continuous process improvement in local government. 

Q: How did the MPA program specifically prepare you for future work experiences or inform what you do now? 

The MPA Program helped me uncover my passion for things like local government and organizational theory. Importantly, it also helped me identify my strengths and understand the contributions I could bring to any organization. Throughout the program, I was exposed to many different case studies, lessons, and practical experiences that helped me build a solid foundation that would allow me to understand and approach complex challenges. This is critical to my current work. The Program’s emphasis on leadership development and the importance of adaptability have also been key in my career path. I could go on and on about how the MPA Program helped to prepare me and am happy to connect with anyone who would like to hear more, but I’ll end here by saying that the thing that I think truly makes this specific MPA program unique is the way that it helps you build a network of peers and mentors. When I entered the Program, I didn’t expect to make a lot of friends or connections – especially being in the online program. I’m still blown away by the MPA family I’m surrounded by today. I have so many friends and mentors that I’ve made through this program who have helped me beyond belief. The network is never-ending, and even though I’m a few years out of the program, I continue to be connected with new folks who are seasoned and recent graduates. 

 Q: Have you been able to fulfill goals formulated while in the MPA program? If so, how? 

Definitely. I wasn’t sure how likely it would be that I would end up in local government. I was open to work in other levels of government, the nonprofit sector, and the private sector; however, my real goals were to one day work in the local government setting in an area that was meaningful to me. A few short months after graduating the Program, I was able to achieve both of those goals. 

 Q: Any other items you wish to share!  

I’d just like to add that I have no regrets about pursuing my MPA from UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Government. It’s a truly outstanding program with the best support system. The faculty, staff, students, and alumni are all amazing and I’m forever grateful for my past and continued experience with the Program. 

Dylan Russell is the executive director of Lead for North Carolina at the UNC School of Government and a co-founder of Lead for America. Lead for North Carolina places students in high-impact fellowships in local government across the state. He has secured over $6 million in private support to advance Lead for North Carolina’s mission and has placed 110 young people in local government fellowships across the state. Dylan also launched the NC COVID-19 Student Response Corps with the Office of Strategic Partnerships and placed 300 student interns in local governments and nonprofits across North Carolina. Prior to serving as executive director, Dylan was a development officer at the School of Government, a policy analyst at the NC Department of Public Instruction, a fifth-grade public school teacher, a White House intern, and a member of the Board of Trustees at Appalachian State University. Dylan served as president of the Graduate Student Body at UNC and president of the Student Body at Appalachian. Dylan was awarded the Robert E. Bryan Public Service Award from the UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor and the Plemmons Leadership Medallion by the Appalachian State University Board of Trustees.

Russell is an instructor in the UNC School of Government’s Master of Public Administration program. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University, an MPA from UNC-Chapel Hill, and is pursuing his Ph.D. at North Carolina State University.

The UNC MPA Program gave Dylan the tools, network, and skills he needed to launch Lead for North Carolina and co-create Lead for America. The UNC MPA Program was where he first studied the silver tsunami and human capital pipeline concerns in public management. The School’s commitment to bridging scholarship to practitioners inspired Dylan to create a similar model to connect future talent with high impact positions in local government. The faculty’s mentorship, guidance, and support were and continue to be critical in Lead for NC’s operations.

The program helped prepare me for my career by orienting me to some of the common problems that North Carolina local governments, and those around the country, are currently wrestling with. In addition, I gained the skills and tools to make myself valuable in my career hunt after graduating. These tools include important communication skills, leadership principles, financial management, and understanding organizational dynamics. The program allowed me to network and build relationships with my cohort, who are part of the next generation of public administration leadership, and faculty at the School of Government, both of whom I still frequently consult with and seek assistance from in my professional career. Lastly, the program staff are a tremendous resource that helped me navigate academics, job searching, student life, and general guidance.