Latest Publications from your Faculty!

The MPA faculty and their collaborators have been busy! Please check out their latest publications:

• Whitney Afonso
• Taking Stock of Living Wage Ordinances and Charting the Course for Future Research
• Local Finance Bulletin: Creating and Managing a Capital Improvement Plan
• Navigating Economic Turbulence: Property Tax Reassessment Cycles as a Strategic Financial Management Tool During Recessions
• Maureen Berner
• Socio-Demographic Risk Factors for Food Insecurity Among Students at Five North Carolina Colleges: The Influence on Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Perceived Health and Well-Being
• Willow Jacobson
• Performance Management in Collaborations: Exploring Associations Between Distributed Leadership and Collective Performance Data Use
• Obed Pasha
• Local Government Board Builders Series: Strategic Planning for Elected Officials
• Promising Practices for Timely Completion of Building Inspections in North Carolina

MPA Alum Brings "Forever Chemicals" documentary to Campus

Ever consider taking your public service work into the documentary world? MPA alumnus Sammy Bauer '18 has done just that. In addition to being the Community Engagement Analyst for the Town of Chapel Hill, she's producer of Ethereal Films LLC and served as assistant director on their documentary "GenX: The Saga of Forever Chemicals" with partner Eli Yetter-Bowman. Actor Mark Ruffalo served as an executive producer, Governor Josh Stein opened a recent screening, and attorney Rob Bilott has served as a keynote speaker at screenings.

Stalking Awareness Month

January marks Stalking Awareness Month (SAM), a time recognized nationally and by UNC to raise awareness, promote prevention, and highlight the resources available at Carolina for members of our community impacted by stalking. Come out and connect with resources across campus during SAM.

Upcoming Events:

• January 21 5:30-8 pm: Glow and Know: Safety After Dark Resource Fair
• January 29 11 am-1 pm: Ctrl + F: Take Control of Your Digital Privacy

World Cafe Dates Announced

Jan 26 | Feb 17 | Mar 26 | Apr 14 | 12:00pm-1:00pm | Graduate Student Center

Join ISSS and Graduate Student Success for our monthly World Cafe event. Each month, this group will engage in thoughtful discussion on different topics and celebrations around the world. We invite you to share your experiences and perspective. Afterward, we’ll enjoy refreshments from a local restaurant.

MVSS Taco Tuesdays

Join Military & Veteran Student Success for Taco Tuesdays this spring!

• January 27 at 5 pm
• February 10 at 5 pm
• February 24 at 5 pm
• March 10 at 5 pm
• March 31 at 5 pm
• April 14 at 5 pm

The Military and Veteran Student Success Center (MVSS) is located in Student & Academic Services Building (SASB) South 1310.

Nominations Being Accepted for Distinguished University Service Award

The Graduate School is happy to announce that we are currently accepting nominations for the 2026 Boka W. Hadzija Award for Distinguished University Service by a Graduate or Professional Student. This annual award recognizes a currently enrolled graduate or professional student who exemplifies exceptional:

• Character
• Scholarship
• Leadership
• Service to the University and broader community

Any faculty, staff, or student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill may submit nominations. Students may not self-nominate.

Nominations are due by 5:00PM on Friday, February 13, 2026.

Specific information about this award, the nomination process, and the link to the nomination form can be found on our website: https://gradschool.unc.edu/academics/awards/hadzija/.