Ed Kitchen is an alumnus and longtime supporter of the MPA program at UNC-Chapel Hill. He served as president of the MPA Alumni Association and as president of the School of Government Foundation Board of Directors. He also served as president of the North Carolina City and County Management Association, is the vice president of the Joseph M. Bryan Foundation, and is active with several civic organizations including Gateway University Research Park and the Greensboro Economic Development Partnership.

All students are eligible for this scholarship based on their academic background and areas of interests upon their admittance into the MPA Program.