MPA Alumni Mentor Program 2025-2026

Seeking mentorship from a MPA alum? Then register as a mentee in the UNC MPA Alumni Mentor Program.

A mentee is any current student looking to: 

• Build MPA community relationships that enhance learning and growth 
• Test ideas and gain insight on professional roles and opportunities 
• Gain experience with professional networking 
• Increase self-confidence and communication skills 

Submit your mentee registration by Monday, July 7, 2025.

Save the Dates:

• Mentee Training: Thursday, July 10 at 12pm.
• Program Kickoff: Thursday, August 21 at 12pm

Save the Date: MPA Alumni Picnic

Join students, alumni, faculty, staff, friends, and their families for some tasty food and great conversation at the annual UNC MPA Alumni Kickoff Picnic.

When: August 23 5-7PM

Where: SOG- Knapp-Sanders Building Dining Room

RSVP: Register for the Picnic today!

UNC MPA Faculty Member Carl W. Stenberg receives 2025 Elmer B. Staats Lifetime Achievement Award for Distinguished Public Services

The UNC School of Government congratulates UNC Master of Public Administration (MPA) faculty member Carl W. Stenberg on his recent receipt of the 2025 Elmer B. Staats Lifetime Achievement Award for Distinguished Public Service from the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA).

Stenberg was presented as this year’s winner at the ASPA Annual Conference. The award was established to honor a public administrator's career accomplishments and contributions to public service and ASPA over a lifetime.

MPA Career Staff Wins Awards

Your MPA Career Staff are award winning! Shauna Hines-Farmer recently won the NCACE Innovation Award. This award may be presented to a college or employer member (which can be for an individual, team or office) to recognize their contributions towards the implementation of a unique and creative approach relevant to student programming, employer/university relations, recruiting and/or training. The purpose for this award is to uphold high standards of excellence in support of student/employer/university engagement, to encourage and reward creativity in our profession and to recognize and share best practices.

Allison Binkley was part of the group that received the Carolina Career Collaborator Award (aka the C3) for her work on the UNC Career Hub. This award goes to a cross-campus career team of 2 or more individuals within the C3 community who embodies C3 by working on a collaborative project with at least one other career unit across campus.

MPA Students win Local Government Early Career Service Certificate

The International City County Management Association (ICMA) has awarded the Local Government Early Career Service certificate to 41 students. This certificate, launched in May 2019, is for graduating MPA/MPP students who have completed extensive projects for local governments. This year, 41 students were awarded the certificate, representing 12 ICMA Student Chapters.  UNC's Recipients are:

Kayla Reep

Carolina Financial Well-Being Center

The Carolina Financial Well-Being Center's mission is to offer inclusive financial education, support basic needs, and empower individuals to improve their financial well-being, ensuring success for future generations. All UNC students are invited their workshops, resource library, or to meet with a Peer Financial Coach.