In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene's unprecedented devastation in September 2024, western North Carolina faced challenges that tested the resilience and expertise of its communities. Among those deeply invested in the region's recovery was Associate Professor of Public Finance and Government Kirk Boone.  

On a Monday morning in March, School of Government faculty member Kara Millonzi prepares to lead more than 50 public officials in a weekly ritual she calls “Finance Office Hours.” It is a time she and her colleagues set aside each week for the last five years—or sometimes every other week—to pull together the public finance officers working in local and state governments across North Carolina via Zoom.

The UNC School of Government proudly shares the sustained success of its Master of Public Administration program. In its 28^th year at the School, the UNC-Chapel Hill MPA improved its ranking among the top 25 public affairs programs—as measured by U.S. News & World Report in their “Best Graduate Schools” list.

Each fall, local government leaders from across North Carolina assemble at the UNC School of Government for the Civic Fellows program—two transformative weeks of personal growth and leadership development. Designed to sharpen skills and build connections, the program offers more than just classes; it creates a network of support that participants carry with them for the rest of their careers.

Attendees gathered on March 4, 2025, at the School of Government to hear from a panel of women in government leadership roles. Sponsored by the School, Carolina Veterans Alumni Network, and Carolina Women’s Center, the panel featured four accomplished leaders who have made significant contributions to public service.

Lead for North Carolina is an innovative full-time fellowship program that connects future public service leaders with local governments across the state. Every summer, Fellows gather at the UNC School of Government for an intensive summer academy, during which they are introduced to community revitalization by Tyler Mulligan and Marcia Machado Perritt, leaders of the Development Finance Initiative (DFI).

Dean Aimee N. Wall announced several new awards and professorships for School of Government faculty in January 2025. Marking her first selection of these recipients during her tenure as dean, these honors recognize outstanding “quality, quantity, breadth, and depth of service rendered to the people of the State through the School.”

Read more about the award recipients and remarks by Wall about their contributions to the School and the state of North Carolina.

Alex Beddick's journey from a passionate environmental science student to a dedicated public servant in Hyde County is inspiring. Through an impactful opportunity provided by the Lead for North Carolina (LFNC) program, Beddick translated his academic knowledge into meaningful action while addressing critical issues in one of North Carolina's least populated counties.

In November 2022, the UNC School of Government’s North Carolina Adult Protection Network (APN), with grant funding from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), launched the APN Help Desk to build and strengthen adult protection multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) across North Carolina.

Lead for North Carolina (LFNC) places young people interested in working in public service into impactful fellowships in local government offices across the state to support communities and grow the next generation of public service leaders.