Carolina MPA Student Digest:
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Carolina MPA Calendar
- April 13-27: Spring Oral Exams
- April 22: Virtual Carolina MPA Happy Hour Hub, 5 pm PDT/8 pm EDT
***** 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.*****
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30 Carolina MPA alumni, students, faculty, and staff virtually connected, earlier this month, with a snack and a favorite drink for some light conversation. It was so much fun that we're doing it again!
This time, we're scheduling it for 5:00 pm on the
West Coast
.
No need to RSVP, come as you are!
April 22, 2020
5:00-6:00ish PM, PST
(that's 8:00 PM EST)
We look forward to seeing you, significant others, children, roommates and pets, next Wednesday!
Carolina MPA together. Carolina MPA strong.
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2020 PAL Challenge a Success!
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Earlier this month, the MPA Program held the annual Public Administration Leadership (PAL) Challenge for undergraduate students at UNC. As with everything else, this year's event was virtual. This competition invites UNC undergraduate students to compete for a $1000 cash prize in teams of 3-5 to solve a current and relevant local government issue. This year’s case focuses on climate- induced flooding. Thank you to
Cara Robinson, Carl Stenberg, Kim Nelson, Hallee Haygood, Jacob Newton, Carol Abken, Maddi Powers, Courtney Cooper-Lewter, Savannah English, & Sydney Lawrence
for planning the event and to
Dr. Miyuki Hino, Catherine Brennan, and MPA alum David Goldberg
for serving as judges.
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- 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 21: Trans Talk Tuesday Online
- April 24: Virtual Peace Corps Panel: Serving in West Africa- Lessons Learned during Ramadan
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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!
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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.
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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
)
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New Time: First and Third Tuesdays 6:30pm - 7:30pm on Zoom (next one is April 21)
Trans Talk Tuesday is a peer support/discussion group for people who identify as transgender, gender non-conforming, or who are questioning their gender. This space is meant to provide community and connection among folks on the basis of gender identity.
The group is open to campus and community members that identify as transgender (in any respect), genderqueer, or who are questioning their gender identity or gender expression.
If you'd like to receive the Zoom info each week, please sign up for the Trans Talk Tuesday email list by emailing the facilitator, Anole, at
anole.halper@gmail.com
.
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April 24, 2020 | 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Learn about Peace Corps service in West Africa through the eyes of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers as we celebrate the first day of Ramadan! Hear their stories, ask questions about living with host families, and learn about Ramadan. Join us at this panel event to learn about Volunteer experiences, ask questions about service, and gain tips to guide you through the application process. Register
here
. If you have any questions, please contact Peace Corps Strategic Campus Recruiter, Mira Singhal
peacecorps@unc.edu
.
Sponsored by the Peace Corps.
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Carolina MPA | UNC School of Government | carolinampa.sog.unc.edu |
Website
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