News
UNC MPA Earns Top 20 National Ranking, Strengthens Standing Across Specialty Areas
April 6, 2026
The UNC School of Government is proud to celebrate the recognition of its Master of Public Administration program in the latest U.S. News & World Report "Best Graduate Schools" rankings.Read More
Time for a Rethink: Research Reveals Gaps in North Carolina's County Economic Tier System
March 27, 2026
The ncIMPACT Initiative and NCGrowth partnered to assess the effectiveness of North Carolina’s County Tier System, which ranks counties from most (Tier 1) to least (Tier 3) economically distressed. Originally designed to guide job creation tax incentives, the system now influences major policy decisions - from school funding allocations to loan forgiveness for healthcare providers. As its use has expanded, questions have emerged about whether the current methodology remains well-suited for these broader applications.Read More
School of Government debuts new undergraduate minor in law, government, and public service
March 23, 2026
As student interest in public service careers continues to grow at UNC-Chapel Hill, the School of Government is responding with a new academic pathway designed to prepare undergraduates for the work ahead. Beginning in fall 2026, the Law, Government, and Public Service Minor will give students a rigorous, practice-grounded foundation in the legal frameworks and institutional structures that shape how government and nonprofit organizations serve the public.Read More
Forging the Next Generation of Public Sector Leaders: Kim Nelson and the PELA Difference
February 26, 2026
For more than two decades, North Carolina's most accomplished local government executives have gathered in a program that challenges them not just to think differently about leadership—but to lead differently. The Public Executive Leadership Academy (PELA) has long been the School of Government's premier leadership program, and under the direction of lead faculty member Kimberly Nelson, it is entering one of its most dynamic chapters yet.Read More
Assessment Expert Kirk Boone Elected to IAAO Board of Directors
February 18, 2026
The School of Government congratulates faculty member Kirk Boone on his election to the Board of Directors of the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO).Read More
From data drudgery to AI speed: How one UNC School of Government project can serve as a roadmap for leveraging AI safely
February 13, 2026
Have you ever wondered how fast your town fixes its reported potholes? The School of Government has a resource that can help answer that very question.Read More
The bridge after the storm: School launches NC Local Government Disaster Recovery Portal with regional partners
February 5, 2026
Well over a year after Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina, many communities remain deeply engaged in recovery. While the emergency phase has passed, local governments continue to navigate long-term financial, administrative, and infrastructure challenges left by the storm. Officials are balancing day-to-day service delivery with complex grant management, rebuilding efforts, and compliance requirements that will continue for years. In response, and together with statewide partners, the School of Government supported local governments through training, practical guidance, office hours, and an evolving set of recovery resources tailored to long-term recovery needs.Read More
Six trends that state and local governments will face in 2026
January 26, 2026
Six trends that state and local governments will face in 2026...Read More
School faculty member Whitney Afonso elected vice chair of the Association for Budgeting & Financial Management
January 20, 2026
The School of Government is proud to share that faculty member Whitney Afonso was elected as vice chair for the Association for Budgeting & Financial Management (ABFM). She assumed the role in January 2026.Read More
Exploring Public Service Through Lead for NC: Maria Cuenca-Romero in Murphy
January 15, 2026
Maria Cuenca-Romero is driven by a genuine desire to give back, turning her passion for public service into meaningful change for the communities she serves. After attaining a bachelor’s degree in political science and global studies, Cuenca-Romero served in the Peace Corps in Peru before signing up for Lead for North Carolina. Lead for NC is a leadership development program that places aspiring public service leaders in fellowships at local government offices across the state. She was drawn to the real-world experience the program offered, as well as the variety of projects and the opportunity to work in areas that interested her.Read More
Faculty member Phil Dixon discusses how federal restrictions on THC will impact growing hemp economy in North Carolina—and nationwide
December 18, 2025
North Carolina’s burgeoning hemp industry could face obstacles to its continued growth with the recent passage of federal legislation, set to take effect in November 2026.Read More
UNC MPA graduate student follows family’s example
December 11, 2025
Alyssa Blair Zimmerman is married to a U.S. Army veteran and comes from a family ingrained in public service.Read More
