Register Now!: 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!

New Community and Economic Development Bulletin with Teshanee Williams

Congratulations to MPA faculty member Teshanee Williams for writing the School’s latest Community and Economic Development Bulletin.

Community development organizations often face pressing challenges: securing funding, fostering collaboration, engaging residents, and ensuring economic growth. While technical expertise and financial resources are essential, there is another powerful, yet often intangible, resource that can determine success: social capital..

You can access the bulletin on the SOG Publications site.

20 Years of Improving Local Government Workplaces

by Katie Geith

The Local Government Workplaces Initiative (LGWI) at the UNC School of Government is the only university-based center in the country dedicated to local government workplace climate research. The center is led by Dr. Leisha DeHart-Davis, professor of public administration and government and director of the Local Government Workplaces Initiative. Article continues on website.

PWE Spotlight: Tyler Holden with the Hillsborough Police Department

MPA Online-format Tyler Holden details his PWE experience with the Hillsborough (NC) Police department in a recent MPA blog post. Check it out!

SOWO 799 Community Organizing

The School of Social Work has announced that seats are available for MPA students this fall in SOWO 799-956 Community Organizing. The course is taught online on Tuesdays 7:30-9 pm. More details can be found in ConnectCarolina, and this class can count as an MPA elective.

HBEH/PLCY 748 Design Thinking for the Public Good

This course will be taught online Tuesdays 5:30-8:30 pm and may count as an MPA elective.

Design thinking is a participatory creative problem-solving process that prioritizes ethnographic market research, facilitates convergent and divergent thinking, and engages in rapid prototyping. Students will collaborate with community members to design solutions (products, services, etc.) that are desirable, feasible, and viable. Other topics covered in the course include: leveraging GenAI for brainstorming, analyzing data, and creating prototypes; equitable design practices; and community engagement.

Request a permission code by joining the waitlist at: www.tinyurl.com/HBEH748.

Scholarships and Student Aid Disaster Recovery Team

The Office of Scholarships and Student Aid has funding available to assist during times of unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters. Thanks to generous donors contributing to the impact fund, when sudden needs arise unexpectedly, we are here to help.

Examples of expenses we can assist with due to losses may include:

• Replacement of laptop, books, clothing and/or supplies
• Extra transportation expenses for students to visit/assist at home
• If needed extra housing during breaks if there is not an appropriate or available home to return to during breaks
• Additional needs for food due to a natural disaster

Additional details are on the Scholarship and Student Aid website.

Bynum Hall Food Pantry

The Bynum Hall Food Pantry is fully restocked and open for graduate and professional students by appointment. We’ve replenished essentials like soup, pasta, coffee, diapers, paper towels, cleaning supplies and more.

Located in Bynum Hall, the pantry is typically available Monday–Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. If you’d like to visit, please email Laura Thorp to confirm a time and ensure a staff member is available to assist you.

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.