Mission and History

Mission

The mission of the School of Government is to improve the lives of North Carolinians by engaging in practical scholarship that helps public officials and citizens understand and improve state and local government. Learn more about the School’s mission by visiting the FAQ section of this website. Learn more about the School's history by viewing a short video about our founding.

Values

Consistent values for more than 75 years have built a legacy of trust with North Carolina's public officials:

  • Nonpartisan
  • Policy-neutral
  • Responsive

How We Serve North Carolina

As the largest university-based local government training, advisory, and research organization in the United States, the School of Government offers up to 200 courses, seminars, and specialized conferences for more than 12,000 public officials each year.

Faculty members respond to more than 100,000 phone calls and e-mail messages each year on routine and urgent matters and also engage in long-term advising projects for local governing boards, legislative committees, and statewide commissions.

In addition, faculty members annually publish approximately 50 books, periodicals, and other reference works related to state and local government. Each day that the General Assembly is in session, the School produces the Daily Bulletin, which reports on the day’s activities for members of the legislature and others who need to follow the course of legislation.

The Master of Public Administration Program is a full-time, two-year program that serves up to 60 students annually. It consistently ranks among the best public administration graduate programs in the country, particularly in city management. With courses ranging from public policy analysis to ethics and management, the program educates leaders for local, state, and federal governments and nonprofit organizations.

History

Established in 1931 as the Institute of Government, the School provides educational, advisory, and research services for state and local governments. The School of Government is also home to specialized centers focused on information technology and environmental finance.

School of Government faculty members have made notable contributions to North Carolina government:

  • Study to reorganize state government
  • Study of the state's court system
  • North Carolina Constitutional Commission
  • Local Government Study Commission
  • Open Meetings Study Commission
  • NC Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission
  • Governor's Crime Commission on Juvenile Crime and Justice

Support for the School of Government

Operating support for the School of Government’s programs and activities comes from many sources, including state appropriations, local government membership dues, private contributions, publication sales, course fees, and service contracts. Visit www.sog.unc.edu or call 919.966.5381 for more information on the School's courses, publications, programs, and services.

The School of Government is committed to equality of educational opportunity. The School does not discriminate in offering access to its educational programs and activities on the basis of race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. If you have a disability and need accommodation to participate in any School of Government program, please let us know.