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).

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.

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.

Six trends that state and local governments will face in 2026

What big-picture issues and topics should we be monitoring this year? UNC School of Government faculty are looking ahead to the key issues local governments need to tackle this year—and the solutions they are working to create to solve them. Read about six trends that state and local governments will face in 2026.

Kirk Boone, on North Carolina’s rising property assessments and possible tax reform

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.

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.

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.

Alyssa Blair Zimmerman is married to a U.S. Army veteran and comes from a family ingrained in public service.

Her dad served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 13 years and as a police officer for five. Her mom, her “biggest role model,” works for a Veterans Affairs hospice center.

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.