Un-Naming: Lessons Learned with Mike Smith

For both local government and institutes of higher education, questions about monuments, memorials, and named buildings have taken center stage over the past few years. It's a challenge that can tie the strongest leader's stomach in knots. We recognize the history of memorials erected or buildings named in honor of actions and movements we now find horrific. At the same time, we recognize that humans are complex, and the same person we may disparage for particular positions may also be celebrated for genuine contributions in other areas (so far we still recognize Carnegie Libraries and think it an honor to win the Nobel peace prize). Where is the line? 

In this webinar School of Government Dean Mike Smith will share his experience as chair of the un-naming committee at UNC Chapel Hill which was tasked with reviewing the names of 10 campus buildings. The committee, composed of a diverse group of stakeholders, came to a unanimous decision to recommend removal of 8 of the 10 names. Come hear what he learned - both about the history of his own institution and about how a process like this can work. These lessons learned can have valuable implications for both your own institutions and the government clients you work with. 

When: 10 am Eastern (yes that is 7 am Western) on January 26

Register here: https://forms.gle/Zgtvp2fhyzicf6Yj7

Student News! MPA Student Anna Naples Wins Graduate School Impact Award

Congratulations to Anna Naples for winning a 2023 UNC Graduate School Impact Award! The Graduate School’s Impact Awards are designed to recognize the significance of graduate student research and their to contributions to North Carolina in areas of education, economic, physical, social or cultural well-being.

The eleven students, whose research interests range from tidal creek accretion to pediatric obesity, are emblematic of graduate students and their dedication to improving the lives of North Carolinians.

Naples’s research focuses on the distribution of produce for people who live under the poverty line in order to better understand differences between urban and rural counties. Specifically, her research has produced a map that informs agencies as to where they should increase equitable produce distribution, such as through pop-up produce markets, partnerships with healthcare providers and to map chronic disease trends.

Faculty News: Evans Ballard Named Interim Chief Financial Officer for Mooresville, NC

Congratulations to MPA Faculty member Evans Ballard for recently being named the Chief Financial Officer (interim) for Mooresville, NC. He is also newly appointed to the Board of Directors for both the Mooresville Travel & Tourism Authority and the Better Business Bureau Education Foundation (Central and Western North Carolina). He says he is always looking for talent, so MPA students and alumni are welcome to reach out to him at ballard@sog.unc.edu.

"Cool. Awkward. Black." Book Launch Party

Friday, January 20th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM

The Varsity Theater (123 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC)

The LGBTQ Center and Epilogue Books have joined forces to bring you an event like no other, celebrating the January book release of “Cool. Awkward. Black.” This Young Adult (YA) anthology is a genre blend of critically-acclaimed Black authors who have come together to redefine what it means to be both Black and “geeky.” Blerds and Black creatives of all ages are invited to the Varsity Theater on January 20th for an evening with authors, poets, and wordsmiths to center and celebrate their own experiences of being cool, awkward, and Black. An astonishing roster of guests will be in attendance, including the anthology’s editor, Karen Strong, as well as contributing author Tracy Deonn, poet laureate CJ Suitt, wordsmith Dasan, and much more for discussions and spoken word performances that you won’t soon forget! Light refreshments will be provided, as well as local swag, and signed copies of the book for purchase. Visit the event page on Epilogue’s website to get your tickets before they sell out!

Please note that this evening is intended to highlight Black joy, community, and lived experience. While white allies are welcome to attend, we ask that you prioritize BIPOC voices, are aware of the space you are occupying, and adhere to the event's code of conduct. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at lgbtq@unc.edu.

Junck Colloquium Communication Research Series

The next speaker in our Junck Colloquium communication research series is E. Ciszek, associate professor in the Moody College of Communication at The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Ciszek’s talk will be Friday, Jan. 20 at 11 a.m. in the new Curtis Media Center and will focus on advocacy, social change, and LGBTQ research. It will be followed by lunch and a research panel for doctoral students. Because the talk focuses on in-progress research, it is an in-person-only event, with no Zoom link.

Please visit the event page to register.

Also, please consider saving these dates for our remaining spring speakers (times TBD):

• Feb. 17, Muniba Saleem, UC Santa Barbara: Media’s Influence on Muslim American Intergroup Relations
• March 3, Michael Mackert, University of Texas at Austin (rescheduled): Evidence-based Health Communication: Research, Practice and Supporting Public Health

Urban Planning Study Abroad to Peru Interest Meeting

The Department of City and Regional Planning is launching a Maymester graduate study abroad program in Urban Planning this year (more info here). We will be spending two weeks in Peru (Lima and Cusco), where we will learn about planning in the Peruvian context. If you are interested in learning more, please attend the upcoming information session. 

When: Friday January 27

Where: on zoom! Register here

Who: anyone who is interested in taking PLAN 890: World Cities Lima and Cusco

Important program details:

• Program dates: May 17 – June 2
• Course credits: two graduate PLAN credits, syllabus attached
• Program cost: The cost will be approximately $6,500 per student (including tuition, all travel in Peru and a trip to Machu Picchu and Cusco, but not including the flight to Peru).
• Language requirements: none! All the reading material will be in English, most of our guest speakers will be bilingual, and when they are not, I will interpret!
• Peru right now: We know things in Peru are looking a little dicey right now. We sincerely hope that things will settle, and the program will move forward as planned. If for some reason the political situation deteriorates, then the program will be cancelled to ensure everyone’s safety. We really hope this does not happen… but if it does happen, then students would be refunded for the program cost.

Nominations for Pauli Murray Awards now open

Established in 1990, the Pauli Murray Award commemorates the life of the late Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray (1910-1985), a distinguished and remarkable person who confronted discrimination, racism, and sexism in her own life.

The Pauli Murray Award is presented annually by the Orange County Human Relations Commission to an Orange County youth, an Orange County adult, and an Orange County business that have served the community with distinction in the pursuit of equality, justice, and human rights for all residents. Nominations can be made online and must be received by 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023.

This year's Pauli Murray Awards will be presented at the Whitted Building, 300 West Tryon Street, Room 230, Hillsborough, NC 27278, on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023, at 3 p.m.

Apply for a Community Engagement Fellowship by Feb. 1

The Community Engagement Fellowship at the Carolina Center for Public Service awards fellowships of $2,500 each year for engagement or engaged scholarship projects that are responsive to community priorities and have an academic connection. Returning, full-time graduate and professional students at Carolina are eligible to apply. Applicants submitting proposals with an environmental focus will also be considered for the named Mingma Norbu Sherpa Community Engagement Fellowship.

The application deadline is Wednesday, Feb. 1. Apply online through the CCPS Application and Nomination Portal. Visit the CCPS website for more information.

NOTE: Dr. Maureen Berner has let us know she would be willing to serve as a faculty advisor.

NC Child Hunger Leaders Conference

Registration is now open for the 2023 NC Child Hunger Leaders Conference, an annual day of celebration and inspiration for anyone invested in making sure kids have access to healthy food. 

The one-day event is presented by the Carolina Hunger Initiative at UNC and will take place Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at The Friday Conference Center in Chapel Hill. Attendees will have a chance to connect with other child hunger leaders from across the state, learn about new strategies and success stories, and leave reenergized to continue the fight against child hunger. 

More details on the agenda are forthcoming. Speakers in recent years have included State Superintendent Catherine Truitt, the NC Teacher and Principal of the Year, and special messages from Governor Roy Cooper. 

To register and learn more, visit CarolinaHungerInitiative.org/Register.

The UNC Writing Center provides five major services for graduate students:

We support graduate student writers.

1. Individual writing coaching. We offer individual appointments to help with any writing project you’re working on–whether it’s a course or conference paper, a proposal, thesis or dissertation writing, or application materials. Make an appointment or submit a draft online.
2. Dissertation Boot Camp. We also host a week-long intensive writing camp several times a year to help graduate writers make substantial progress on their dissertations and to develop a supportive community of other writers from across the campus.
3. Accountabilibuddies. We’re happy to promote a student group that meets each weekday from 9 to noon. They welcome all grad writers who would like to have company and accountability for their writing. Register for the link and join as your schedule allows. Contact us with any questions, and we’ll put you in touch.
4. How I Write and Learn Blog. Our blog offers first-person accounts on a variety of specific topics, including writing, productivity, tools and strategies, and focus.