Carolina MPA Student Digest:
|
|
Carolina MPA Calendar
- April 2, 5 pm: Carolina MPA Alumni Happy Hour
- April 13-27: Spring Oral Exams
***** Please note that all other upcoming in-person events have been canceled or postponed. We will continue to update you on when they are rescheduled via the Digest.*****
|
|
We appreciate that all of the MPA students are now working under unprecedented circumstances. Please
check out the new resources page on the MPA Intranet
and let Program Staff know of any needs that arise. We know that it is disappointing that our events have been canceled, but we are here for you! We'll continue to have the Digest as a way of communicating good news. If you have any resources to share or news to celebrate, please send it in! It will be especially important for us to stay connected during this season.
Also, be sure to read all the way to the end of today's digest for great UNC academic and wellbeing resources and online events.
|
|
No matter where you are around the globe, the COVID-19 outbreak is impacting us all. Grab a snack, your favorite drink and lets come together to connect with fellow Carolina MPA Alumni, students, and faculty from across town or the world. No need to RSVP.
April 2, 2020
5:00-6:00pm, EST
We look forward to seeing you, significant others, children, roommates and pets, Thursday, April 2nd from 5 - 6pm.
Carolina MPA together. Carolina MPA strong.
|
|
MPA student and Sheriff of Avery (NC) County,
Kevin Frye, was recently featured on WBTV3 for implementing a delivery service for local senior citizens unable to shop for groceries during the COVID-19 outbreak. Deputies have used this as an outreach effort to check on their seniors and ensure they have food to eat.
Check out the article and video here. Thanks, Kevin!
|
|
|
|
|
Congratulations on your recent publications!
MPA Faculty
Dr. David Ammons was notified that he will receive an award at the upcoming American Society of Public Administration conference (ASPA), the
Joseph Wholey Distinguished Scholarship Award for contributions to the field of public sector performance. This award recognizes “outstanding scholarship on performance in public and nonprofit organizations.”
MPA Faculty
Dr. Carl Stenberg recently learned he will receive an award at the upcoming ASPA conference. He will receive the
Donald C. Stone Academic Award that recognizes people who have given outstanding services to ASPA, and it is given by the Section on Intergovernmental Administration and Management. Carl received the Stone Award for practitioner contributions in 1994, and now receiving the Stone Award focused on contributions by academics is an appropriate bookend for Carl.
Congratulations on your awards!
|
|
NEW Elective Highlight: Advanced Budgeting
|
|
PUBA 736: Advanced Budgeting and Financial Planning Analysis
Advanced Budgeting will be offered for the first time online during the next term on Wednesdays, 7- 9:30 p.m. EST beginning, May 6
th
. This 8-week, 1.5 credit hour online course will be a live-session only course with no asynchronous or end of term special project assignments.
Because the course has a condensed schedule and relies on a case-study approach, much of the work will be performed during the 150-minute long live sessions. The comprehensive syllabus provides a wide array of resources and in-depth information to help students navigate through the requirements of the course.
Advanced Budgeting covers the essential financial analyses needed to ascertain short- and long-term budgetary and financial sustainability for state and local governments. Variance Analysis, which calculates differences between budgeted and actual revenues and expenditures, is one of four fundamental financial analyses covered in the course.
Completion of PUBA 731 and basic spreadsheet proficiency is encouraged for students interested in taking PUBA 736. Equal emphasis, however, will be placed on organizational, communicative, collaborative and political analytical techniques during the 8-week course.
If you would like more information about PUBA 736, please contact course designer and instructor Dennis Strachota at drs@sog.unc.edu.
|
|
Carolina MPA alumni are making an impact across the globe. Use this
interactive map
to explore where our alumni are serving and to learn more about their professional roles.
If you find someone who is living or working in a professional role or sector of interest please let me know, as I would be more than happy to facilitate an introduction.
Informational interviews offer a valuable opportunity for you to
gain first-hand insight from members of the Carolina MPA community
so that you can assess whether particular career roles align with your interests and professional goals and gain tips on making the transition into the professional sector
.
Do not hesitate to let me know how I can continue to provide support.
Kristin
Kristin Pawlowski
|
|
- April 2, 12:15 PM EDT: Physics of Blackness: Beyond the Middle Passage Epistemology with Michelle Maria Wright
- April 2, 3:30-4:30 PM EDT: Virtual Social Circle for Graduate Students
- April 3, 12:15 PM EDT: Ethics Around the Table: Ethical Pandemic Control
- April 3, 3 PM EDT: Philosophy, Politics, & Economics in a Time of Pandemic
- Throughout April: Arts from Home: A Spotify Playlist & Writing Competition from Arts Everywhere
- Ongoing: Healthy Heels Mental Health Resources
- Ongoing: Resources from the Learning and Writing Centers
|
|
April 2, 12:15pm
Via Zoom teleconference
https://unc.zoom.us/j/612984817
Meeting ID: 612 984 817
One tap mobile
+19294362866,,612984817# US (New York)
+13126266799,,612984817# US (Chicago)
Michelle Maria Wright,
Physics of Blackness: Beyond the Middle Passage Epistemology
What does it mean to be Black? If Blackness is not biological in origin but socially and discursively constructed, does the meaning of Blackness change over time and space? In
Physics of Blackness: Beyond the Middle Passage Epistemology
, Michelle M. Wright argues that although we often explicitly define Blackness as a “what,” it in fact always operates as a “when” and a “where.”
|
|
|
|
Dear Students:
I hope this message finds you well and beginning to adjust to our new normal. Although we are all under stress with the global COVID 19 pandemic and physical distancing recommendations put forth by public health officials, physical distancing brings social isolation, which can be especially challenging for graduate students who may live alone, not have family and friends close by, or not have family or friends who understand the unique challenges (e.g. loss of access to laboratory and field experiences necessary to conduct their research) that graduate students face during this pandemic.
Feelings of loneliness and general overwhelm can begin to emerge as a result. To counter this, please join me and Shahnaz Khawaja, Assistant Director of Resilience and Recovery Strategies in the Office of Student Wellness in a ‘Virtual Social Circle’. The first Virtual Social Circle is scheduled for
Thursday April 2 from 3:30-4:30.
We will schedule more Social Circles in the weeks to come.
Pets, family & kids are welcome to participate. We want to make this a fun and rewarding experience for all.
- Come and share your experiences with your colleagues and meet other students virtually.
- Receive support and wellness tips from Shahnaz Khawaja
- Engage with me to get feedback on university events in real time
- Tell us what you need so we can figure out ways to help support you through these times
It is imperative that we pay close attention to wellness during this time of social distancing. I hope the Virtual Social Circle will be a source of wellness for you.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 857 878 680
Password: 369406
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,857878680# US (Chicago)
+19292056099,,857878680# US (New York)
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US
+1 301 715 8592 US
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 857 878 680
|
|
Friday, April 3, 12:15 p.m.
Join the Parr Center for Ethics in the department of philosophy for the Ethics Around the Table talk: "Ethical Pandemic Control" with Jim Thomas of the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health.
|
|
An online conversation series by the PPE Program
Friday, April 3, 3 p.m.
UNC's Philosophy, Politics and Economics Program is delighted to announce a new program of online conversations to take place live, online, on Friday afternoons. Each panel will feature prominent experts in social and political thought grappling with the implications of living and thinking through these extraordinary times. The April 3 talk will be focused on "Games, Public Policy and the Pandemic."
|
|
A Spotify playlist, sharing "art from home" and a writing contest
Arts Everywhere, Department of Music, PlayMakers
Throughout April
To spark your artistic creativity and share your love of the arts, Arts Everywhere, the Department of Music and PlayMakers Repertory Company offer several ways for you to stay inspired.
Arts Everywhere wants to highlight art being created at home by Tar Heels. On Instagram, post a video or photo(s) of you creating art in your space, wherever you are. Use the hashtag #
UNCArtFromHome
so Arts Everywhere can see it and highlight it on Instagram.
And PlayMakers Repertory Company has a social media campaign via the hashtag: #IAMAPLAYMAKER. Have you saved every PlayMakers playbill? Do you wear the same outfit to opening night? Have you memorized your own monologue? Share using the hashtag above!
|
|
Your Mental Wellbeing Matters
None of us chose to be in the middle of a global crisis. Yet we are all experiencing a major shift in our daily routines and overall lifestyle. From being socially distant, to stay at home orders, and for some of us even quarantine, the current pandemic is difficult to say the least.
As humans, we like to "know" things like "How long will I need to be socially distant?" "What does tomorrow look like?" Having answers to questions like these provides an illusion of control over our environment. The perceived loss of control - along with the very real changes in our daily movements and activities - can lead to increased anxiety levels, intrusive thoughts, and depressive symptoms.
So, how can we lean into our discomfort?
Name it
What are you feeling? A
Feelings Wheel
may help you to name your emotions. It is also helpful to identify the physical sensations and thoughts that accompany these emotions. We cannot control our emotions, but we can manage them. We have a lot more power in managing our emotions when we feel them rather than hiding them.
Sit with it
Don't judge emotions that arise. Know that emotions are not good or bad. They are simply energy in motion (get it? e-motion). Let them flow. They will come and they will go. Although some emotions may feel unpleasant, we can find comfort knowing that this too will pass. If "fear" has decided to come visit today, you are still in charge. Fear can come along for the ride, but fear does not get to drive.
Shift it
Once we acknowledge the feeling (name it), identify it as nonthreatening (sit with it), then we can begin to decide how we would like to respond rather than reacting (shift it).
Ideas for responding to unpleasant emotions:
- Reframe thoughts that preceded the emotion.
- Choose to engage in an activity that calms you:
- Deep breathing
- Grounding
- Meditation
- Listening to music
- Journaling
- Connect with a supportive person
- Create an appropriate boundary if the emotion was a result of someone else's behavior
- Try a healthy coping mechanism that you identify before the unpleasant emotion arising:
- Take a break
- Have a healthy snack
- Engage in mindful movement
More mental health & wellbeing resources:
Health and wellbeing services during COVID-19:
- Campus Health | Call before visiting 919-966-2281. Open for in person and online appointments. Available to students paying campus fees.
- CAPS | Call before visiting 919-966-3658. Students in crisis may visit in person M-F 8am - 5pm. CAPS 24/7 support at 919-966-3658. Available to students paying campus fees. May also handle referrals for all students.
- Campus Rec | Home workouts available online. Facilities closed.
- Student Wellness | Providing services remotely.
|
|
This Week at the Writing and Learning Centers
Coaches and Peer Tutors Are Available!
The
Writing Center
and
Learning Center
are open for business! Make an appointment for academic coaching, peer tutoring, and writing coaching through our website, and we'll send a zoom link at your meeting time. You can also submit a draft to the Online Coach for writing feedback. We're here for you!
See these tips for establishing productive study habits, managing your time, managing distractions, and making progress on your assignments.
Meet with peers and an academic coach in one of our virtual groups: Academic Life Balance, Finish Strong, Conquering Reading.
Join the Peer Connect Group, attend a Virtual Meet-Up, or check out handouts / articles geared to help you work from home effectively.
Drop-in Peer Tutoring is Back!
Tuesday and Wednesday nights from 6-8 pm EST via Zoom.
No appointment necessary - simply check
here
to determine which days a tutor is available for your course and learn how to meet with a tutor via Zoom! Appointment peer tutoring via Zoom is also available - find out more about courses and times offered
here
.
Like us on Instagram (
@uncwritingandlearning
), Facebook (
@uncwritingandlearning
), Twitter (
@uncwritelearn
)
|
|
Carolina MPA | UNC School of Government | carolinampa.sog.unc.edu |
Website
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
