News
PLPL Program draws record 161 attorneys for wide-ranging public law training
November 20, 2025
Every fall, the School of Government hosts the Public Law for the Public’s Lawyers (PLPL) program to provide a high-level overview of a range of issues and legal developments relevant to attorneys who work in or with North Carolina state government. In 2025, the class was double last year’s size—with a record-breaking attendance of 161 attorneys participating in the live, synchronous course via Zoom.
Erin Mathis goes Service to Service
November 12, 2025
Born in Greece, Erin Mathis moved with his military family to the United States when he was 2, living on various U.S. Air Force bases until his father retired and the family settled for a while in Selma, North Carolina.
“My whole life, I considered North Carolina to be home,” Mathis said.
He fell in love with Chapel Hill as a teenager during a birthday trip to the Dean E. Smith Center for a men’s basketball game.
School of Government salutes faculty, staff, and students who have served on Veterans Day
November 11, 2025
Today, November 11, 2025, the School of Government is proud to celebrate Veterans Day by honoring all who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
School strengthens recovery support in western North Carolina with Amanda Stratton in new role
October 23, 2025
Amanda Stratton joined the UNC School of Government as western North Carolina recovery navigator in October 2025. The role is a key component of the School’s broader support for western North Carolina. In her role, Stratton helps local governments identify and pursue recovery funding, connect with state and federal partners, and troubleshoot capacity and compliance challenges.
The life cycle of emergency management: Local, state, and federal experts gather for the 2025 Deil S. Wright Lecture
October 16, 2025
Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and supporters of the UNC Master of Public Administration program gathered Friday, October 10, 2025, to participate in the annual Deil S. Wright Public Service Forum. This year’s topic was “Successful Emergency Management: Collaboration Across Government Agencies.” The event was moderated by Norma Houston, former School of Government faculty member and chief of staff to UNC President Peter Hans.
Former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu delivers lecture on leadership in times of crisis
October 9, 2025
As North Carolina marked the first anniversary of Hurricane Helene making landfall in the western region of the state, former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu visited the School of Government to share a few words on leadership in times of crisis. The event, hosted on October 1, 2025, in connection with the Office of UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Lee Roberts, was free and open to the public.
Military Families and Veterans Begin MPA Journey Through Service to Service
October 2, 2025
The UNC Master of Public Administration program celebrates the kickoff of the first cohort of students to pursue their MPA degrees through "Service to Service", a program connecting veterans and military families with edu
School faculty share top podcast and book recommendations from summer 2025
September 23, 2025
As a new semester at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill kicks into full swing, the School of Government’s Master of Public Administration faculty and staff are busy at work welcoming new and returning students. With summer now behind us, the School decided to check in with Dean Aimee Wall and MPA faculty to find out what they listened to and read during the summer—right as they kick into the new fall semester.
New publication question-and-answer: Jamie Markham on North Carolina Crimes
September 19, 2025
North Carolina Crimes: A Guidebook on the Elements of Crime is a resource on North Carolina substantive criminal law.
Gregory S. Allison receives lifetime achievement award for budgeting and financial management scholarship from ABFM
September 12, 2025
The UNC School of Government Master of Public Administration faculty consistently work to advance the study and practice of local government management. One such faculty member, Gregory S.
Julie Beasley joins faculty to specialize in leadership and management
September 12, 2025
The School of Government welcomes Julie Beasley to its faculty as an assistant professor of public administration and government. In her role—which she assumed in summer 2025—Beasley uses applied research to focus on human resource management in the public and nonprofit sectors, particularly workplace diversity and performance, organizational leadership, and civic engagement.
Colt Jensen joins School faculty to work in local government management
September 9, 2025
The School of Government is excited to welcome Colt Jensen to its faculty. Jensen joined as an assistant professor of public administration and government in the summer of 2025 and works in the general area of local government management. He came to the School faculty after recently serving as a faculty member for Georgia Southern University.
