Willow Jacobson Named Next Director of UNC MPA Program

Willow Jacobson, School faculty member and Robert W. Bradshaw Jr. Distinguished Professor of Public Administration and Government, has been named the next director of the UNC MPA program. She will succeed William Rivenbark in this role and become the first woman to lead the program when her term begins in September 2021.

Jacobson joined the MPA program’s faculty in 2003, drawn to the School of Government’s mission of engaged scholarship. As a public administration scholar looking to connect theory with practice, the opportunity to make a tangible impact both in the classroom and at the community level was appealing to Jacobson.

“I studied public administration because the questions we ask are questions that matter in the work of public service organizations and the lives and communities those organizations serve every day,” Jacobson said. “This unique setting is a tremendous value for the faculty and the students we serve, not to mention the 12,000 public officials that the School serves annually.”

Jacobson chaired the recent MPA strategic planning efforts.  As part of the planning process the MPA program adopted a new vision for the MPA program: “A nationally recognized leader in engaged scholarship whose faculty, students, and alumni transform thought, organizations, communities, and lives.”

“I’m excited to work alongside the other faculty, staff, students, and alumni to achieve this vision,” Jacobson said. “I look forward to getting to connect with more of our alumni and students and to hear from them about what is working and where we can be doing even better.”

Director Rivenbark expressed his confidence that with Jacobson at the helm, the ambitious program goals are well within the program’s reach.

“Without question, she is prepared to take the program to the next level,” said Rivenbark. “She possesses an in-depth knowledge of public administration and the leadership skills to successfully manage the MPA program, as demonstrated by her interim tenure director and by her recent leadership in the creation of the program’s first strategic plan.”

In announcing Jacobson as the next director, Dean Michael Smith noted that while she was the consensus choice for many reasons—including her record as a distinguished researcher and teacher—what truly made her the best choice to lead the program through its next era was her deep commitment to ensuring its continued good standing. 

“What will make Willow a wonderful leader?” Smith asked. “She loves the program.  She will pour her heart and soul into making it even better.  That passion comes through in her interactions with students, alumni, and colleagues,” he wrote.

“She also understands that the program is distinctive because of its connection to the applied mission of the School. I’m confident that she will find ways to build on that connection to improve the program and our work for public officials.”

Looking ahead to her term, Jacobson notes “I am continuously inspired by the passion, talent, and public service commitment of our MPA students and alumni. I believe in our mission 'To prepare public service leaders and create useable knowledge that improves governance' and see that mission come to life in the work of our alumni and students."

As Jacobson prepares to take over directorship duties from Rivenbark, she relayed her immense gratitude to her predecessor for leaving the program on such solid ground upon which she can continue to grow.

“I am thankful for all of the great work Bill and the previous directors have done to create the best MPA program and I look forward to building on their successes,” Jacobson said. "I am excited to have the chance to serve in this leadership role as we continue to work to accomplish this mission as I believe there is a lasting and transformational impact on the communities, problems, and challenges because of the work of our MPA public service leaders.” 

Jacobson currently directs the LGFCU Fellows program, which she helped create in 2011, which focuses on developing local government leaders in North Carolina. In addition, she served on the faculty of the inaugural session of the Public Executive Leadership Academy in 2005.

Jacobson earned a Ph.D. in public administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. Her research has appeared in a range of journals including Public Administration Review and Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, and Review of Public Administration. She serves on the editorial boards for Public Administration Review, Review of Public Personnel Administration, Public Personnel Management, and Korean Journal of Policy Studies. She is currently serving on the board for the Section on Personnel Administration and Labor Relations of the American Society for Public Administration.  Read more about Jacobson here.