The Lead for North Carolina (LFNC) program is currently recruiting local governments to host and employ recent college graduates as LFNC Fellows. Trained by the UNC School of Government, these Fellows have an invested interest in strengthening public service across the state. Local governments can request to host a Fellow through the application. The deadline to apply is February 19, 2021.

LFNC is a fellowship program that aims to create the next generation of local government leaders in North Carolina by placing recent college graduates in high-impact positions in local governments across the state to work on transformative community projects. Fellows receive up to three weeks of training prior to placement and ongoing training and support from the UNC School of Government and our partner organizations. Currently 70% of local government leaders in North Carolina are eligible to retire. The program aims to fill this coming void and prepare the next generation of local government leaders to build on their predecessors' legacy.

Fellows will be matched with local governments that are facing considerable challenges and have a significant need for young talent and innovative thinking. Each Fellow will have a strong relationship to the community in which they are placed. Now in its third year, the program is administered by the School of Government in partnership with the NC City and County Managers Association, NC League of Municipalities, and NC Association of County Commissioners.

Any local government, including regional local government entities such as councils of government, can apply to host a Fellow. The selection criteria will favor a government with demonstrated capacity needs, a commitment to providing meaningful work and professional development opportunities, and the ability to financially cover the costs of the program.

A host government must agree to hire and employ a Fellow for a year. The host government will assign its respective Fellow to short- and long-term projects and provide appropriate supervision. Host governments must commit by February 2021 to participate. 

For more information about Lead for North Carolina or to read more about the current Fellows and their work, visit lfnc.sog.unc.edu.