UNC MPA Student Digest | December 1, 2023

UNC MPA News and Events

The Program would like to welcome into our MPA community, Matthew Ethan Langefeld, who was born on the evening of Monday, November 20^th!! Elizabeth will be on leave through February after a successful adoption placement.

During her absence, we have planned for and want to ensure that our students receive the support and guidance they have come to know for academic advising and student services. Steps have been taken to ensure a seamless transition during her leave. Heather Duhart will serve as your primary contact to provide academic advising services during this period. Additionally during Elizabeth’s time on leave, Allison Binkley is stepping in to provide student organization and leadership support, and Susan Lynch will be the lead on student communications including the Student Digest.

If you have any questions or concerns during this period, please don't hesitate to reach out to Heather Duhart.

Thank you for your cooperation and support during this time. We wish Elizabeth and her family all the best during her maternity leave!

The School of Government Sponsors Toys for Tots Drive

In the spirit of public service and the upcoming holidays, the School is organizing a way for employees and students to help support the local Orange County community this year.

The mission of Marine Toys for Tots is to collect new, unwrapped toys each year, and distribute those toys as gifts to children in the community. We are collecting new, unwrapped toys at the Reception Desk and down by the mailboxes and delivering them to Toys for Tots via Orange County’s Department of Social Services. The deadline to drop a gift off is the morning of December 8, 2023.

Rooted: Leisha Dehart-Davis

UNC Research interviewed faculty member Leisha Dehart-Davis about her service through research to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

It discusses her career path and her passion for local government. It also highlights her overall dedication to the School of Government and the Carolina community.

Read the full interview here.

Faculty Member Chuck Szypszak Discusses Military Experiences And Veterans' Transition to Academic Life and Civilian Careers

In honor of veterans’ service, the UNC School of Government hosted two notable events in November to recognize the service of United States Armed Forces members.

The first was a discussion for faculty and staff, held on Monday, Nov. 6, courtesy of the School’s Committee for an Inclusive Workplace. Faculty member Chuck Szypszak and Rob Palermo, program director of the Carolina Veterans Resource Center, discussed the military experience and veterans' transition to academic life and civilian careers.

The second event was a panel discussion, co-sponsored by Carolina Across 100, to discuss strategies to stem suicide among veterans.

R ead more about these events on the SOG website.

UNC MPA Calendar

Saturday, December 3: Last day of fall online classes
Thursday, December 6: Last day of fall on-campus classes
December 8-15: on-campus fall final exams
Saturday, December 16: MPA Graduation Brunch
Sunday, December 17: UNC Fall Commencement
Monday, January 8: online classes start
Wednesday, January 10: on campus classes start
Friday, January 19: Excel Seminar, 9;30 am-2:30 pm, Knapp-Sanders 3301, details TBA!

You may also find all calendar events on the MPA Intranet calendar or by adding "UNC MPA Student Calendar" on Outlook.

UNC events and beyond

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Taken by working professionals and current graduate students alike, the Certificate builds skills, competencies and dispositions for enacting meaningful change at scale. We prepare you to lead for impact in education, healthcare, and across the spectrum of human services fields.

The nine credit-hour Certificate administered by the School of Education consists of the following three courses:

-Change Leadership and Systems Improvement (Dr. Lora Cohen-Vogel, Public Policy & Education)

-Rapid Prototyping (Dr. Liz Chen, Public Health Leadership)

-Implementation & Equity (Drs. Caryn Ward and Mel Livet, National Implementation Research Network)

The program blends asynchronous on-line lessons with six to eight in person weekends in Chapel Hill. Students may work toward a Certificate and degree consecutively or concurrently. The UNC Graduate Schools allows 100% of the Certificate credits to double count, as determined by your degree program/program of study.

Holiday Carolina Blood Drive

With the holiday season in full swing, Carolina offers the community many ways to serve and lend a helping hand. One such opportunity is the 25th annual Holiday Carolina Blood Drive, hosted Dec. 7 by the Employee Forum and the American Red Cross.

This year’s Holiday Carolina Blood Drive is from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 7 at Fetzer Hall. Free parking is available in Cobb Deck. In addition to free food, donors will also receive a commemorative T-shirt celebrating 25 years of the Holiday Carolina Blood Drive’s commitment to service.

While the blood drive does accept walk-ups on the day of the event, you can beat the crowds by reserving your donation time. There are still times available at the American Red Cross’ Blood Services site or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Psychiatry Chair to Address 2023 Winter Commencement

The featured speaker at Carolina’s 2023 Winter Commencement is Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody, the Assad Meymandi Distinguished Professor and chair of the UNC School of Medicine’s psychiatry department. Meltzer-Brody also directs the UNC Center for Women’s Mood Disorders.

Meltzer-Brody, a passionate advocate for innovation and transformation of mental health care, has received global recognition for her research on perinatal and postpartum depression. At Carolina, she leads one of the largest public university departments of psychiatry in the country and collaborates with UNC Health and the state of North Carolina on initiatives to improve mental health.

The Winter Commencement ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Dean E. Smith Center. Graduates and guests do not need a ticket to attend.

Links and resources