1980
The first Social Services Law Bulletin is issued. Each bulletin discusses current topics of interest to North Carolina social service boards, agencies, and attorneys. It also discusses legal issues relating to social services, and summarizes legislative actions.

1983
Faculty Dexter Watts and Jim Drennan provide staff assistance to the Governor’s Task Force on Impaired Driving. They draft legislation and work with a legislative committee to prepare major revisions to the impaired driving laws, enacted in 1983 as the Safe Roads Act.

With the passage of a statute requiring all property tax assessors and property appraisers to be certified, the Institute hires Joseph Hunt in 1983 to provide the certification training. For the first time in North Carolina, public officials are required to have specific qualifications to hold property tax positions.

1984
The first Principals’ Executive Program is held in September 1984 under the direction of Robert Phay. The program is authorized and funded by the NC General Assembly in 1984 on the initiative of C.D. Spangler Jr., chairman of the State Board of Education. The Institute of Government launches the program on behalf of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The program becomes a separate department within the University in 1993.

1984
The Local Government Training Program (LGTP) is started at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, thanks to a legislative appropriation proposed by Speaker of the House Liston Ramsey of Madison County. The LGTP addresses the training needs of public officials and personnel in the westernmost counties of North Carolina, with courses taught by Institute of Government faculty who specialize in law, finance, or management.

1985
Faculty member Dona Lewandowski is hired to work in family law, strengthening an existing area of concentration for the School.

1987
The first Family Law Bulletin is issued. It addresses current issues of interest to judicial officials and attorneys.