Carolina MPA Student Organizations and Committees:
The MPA program has a number of student organizations and committees that play a vital role in enhancing the student experience. These groups allow students to put theory into practice by developing leadership, program management, and networking skills.

The purpose of this organization is to introduce and integrate students to the local government and local management profession and familiarize students with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), the premier local government management association, its members, resources, and policies.

Website	ICMA Website Bylaws
Annual Events/Programs:	Programming focuses on introducing chapter members to the field of local government. The chapter holds events once or twice a month. Specific times of events vary.
Audience:	Both on-campus and online MPA current students
Contact:	Sarah Dhunjishaw, President Meg McFadden, Vice President Josie Zakrzewski, Treasurer Noah Champion & Rachel Wooster, Board Members
How to get involved:	Contact any officer! Announcements are also sent out via the MPA listserv and Digest.
Advisor:	Faculty Advisor: Kim Nelson Staff Advisor: Shauna Hines-Farmer

Fall 2025 ICMA Session: Politics and Practitioners with Albemarle Manager Jeff Richardson and retired Board Chair Donna Price

The MPA Diversity Student Alliance at UNC-Chapel Hill is committed to creating an inclusive environment that celebrates the diversity of backgrounds and experiences of students and supports student success for the next generation of Carolina public service leaders.

The Alliance aims to accomplish the following:

• • Bring voice to the student experience within and beyond the classroom
  • Promote an understanding of diversity and social equity through the exploration of historical and contemporary issues within the field of Public Administration
  • Collaborate with university and community partners to deepen our knowledge and confidence in addressing diverse perspectives and experiences within professional settings
  • Create a safe and inclusive environment inside and outside of the classroom to foster unity and support success among MPA students

Website	MPA Diversity Student Alliance Website (coming) Bylaws
Annual Events/Programs:	Provide various opportunities for discussions about diversity issues such as: Brown bag lunches Internal diversity sensitivity training Panel discussions Programming initiatives in tandem with the School of Government Committee for an Inclusive Workplace
Audience:	Both on-campus and online MPA current students
Contact:	Brianna Beadle, President Cameron Brown, Vice President Ian Wheeler, Secretary Kristen Tucker, Treasurer
How to get involved:	Students interested in becoming involved with the MPA Diversity Student Alliance can attend one of the monthly gatherings to obtain additional information or contact any officer!
Advisor:	Faculty Advisor: Kimalee Dickerson Staff Advisor: Shauna Hines-Farmer

MPA Diversity Student Alliance Bylaws

The purpose of this organization is to introduce and integrate students to empower graduate students with the knowledge, skills, and networks necessary to excel in the nonprofit sector and non-governmental organizations. Leaders Doing Good seeks to foster a collaborative community that supports professional development and promotes social impact.

Website	Leaders Doing Good website Bylaws
Annual Events/Programs:	Programming focuses on introducing chapter members to the field of nonprofit and non-governmental management. The chapter holds multiple events or meetings throughout the academic year. Specific times of events vary.
Audience:	Both on-campus and online MPA current students
Contact:	Lilly Parker, President Olivia Boudwin, Events Coordinator Emma Gilliam, Communications Director Mason McVeety, Treasurer
How to get involved:	Contact any officer or join the LDG listserv to stay up to date on happenings. Announcements are also sent out via the MPA listserv and Digest.
Advisor:	Faculty Advisor: Teshanee Williams Staff Advisor: Shauna Hines-Farmer

Student Leadership Council:

The Student Leadership Councils (SLC) are a council of students that serve as the student’s voice to program administrators for the Carolina MPA program.

Both the on-campus and online format have their own body of SLC members. Students that serve on the SLC are expected to solicit feedback and information from their student peers to bring to the group and share with program administration.

SLC members gain the following:

• Valuable leadership experiences
• Networking opportunities with faculty, staff, and fellow students
• Skill development for future work with boards and nonprofits
• Recognition at graduation for serving on the SLC

Elizabeth Langefeld serves as staff advisor for both SLCs. Below is format-specific information regarding the roles and responsibilities of SLC members, the application process, and current contact information.

Overview & Purpose of the Student Leadership Council:

The Student Leadership Council (SLC)’s main purpose is to represent the interests of the student body in the on-campus format of the Carolina MPA Program.

The establishment of an elected student council shall provide a platform for discussing issues of student concern and act as the instrument by which student interest may be voiced to the administration of the Carolina MPA Program.

Responsibilities of the Student Leadership Council:

• Serve in a student advisory board capacity to program administrators, providing the student perspective where it will be helpful to inform program decisions.
• Understand, prioritize, and advocate for the needs and interests of On-Campus Carolina MPA Students.
• Collaborate with MPA Program Office administration and faculty to continuously and iteratively enhance the on-campus Carolina MPA student experience.
• Attend three meetings per term. At least one of these meetings will include the MPA staff.
• In advance of the meetings, survey the current student body to ask for ideas on topics to bring forward at the SLC meetings for discussion.
• Communicate summary of outcomes to fellow on-campus MPA students.
• Organize communication between master’s students and administration, including conducting a town hall meeting with students to capture current student concerns and present the administration with ongoing student concerns as they arise.
• Lead or assist with new initiatives undertaken.
• Coordinate volunteer activities.
• Provide representation for the Carolina MPA program at the Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG) (this is in specific reference to the GPSG Senator elected position that also serves on the SLC).
• This is a two-year commitment.

Qualifications:

• • Good academic standing
  • Excited about the program
  • Committed to being an engaged member of the Student Leadership Council
  • Able to represent and communicate the diverse interests and perspectives of current MPA students in a constructive and productive manner

Election Process:

• • The Student Leadership Council at-large member is an elected position. The election will be in the form of an online ballot. Each first year class will elect two SLC members. Additionally, the elected GPSG Senator and MPA Alumni Council student rep will automatically serve as SLC members.
  • Candidates self-nominate.
  • All first-year MPA students are eligible to vote for the SLC at-large member position.
  • Greater than 50 percent of first-year student cohort must participate in the election vote for the results to be binding. The two students with the most votes wins the election.
  • Any ties in the SLC member election will be broken by the current second-year SLC members.
  • All elections shall be overseen by the MPA Program Office.
  • As this is an elected position, the campaigning rules are as follows:
    

• • • The platform submitted and included on the ballot is the main part of the campaign.
    • No class time should be used to campaign.
    • Formal MPA listservs should not be used to campaign.

Questions or feedback for the SLC members?

• • Second/Third-Year SLC Members:
    • Javier Limon– Former GPSG Senator
    • Noah Champion – Class of 2026 at-large member, GPSG Senator
    • Carlos Morales – Class of 2026 at-large member
    • Sarah Dhunjishaw– Class of 2026 Alumni Council Representative, ICMA Representative
    • Brianna Beadle – MPA Diversity Alliance Representative
  • First-Year SLC Members:
    • Zane Davis – GPSG Senator
    • Josh Davis – Class of 2027 at-large member
    • Debra Mullis – Class of 2027 at-large member
    • Olivia Shelton– Class of 2027 Alumni Council Representative

Mission 

The UNC MPA Online Student Leadership Council serves as student advocates to address the needs and concerns of the online student body. We strive to promote community and collaboration through knowledge-sharing, mentorship, and social engagement.

Values 

• Collaboration
• Inclusion
• Involvement
• Learning
• Service

Focus Areas 

1. Focus Area #1: Advocate for student needs, concerns, and improvements to online learning experiences
2. Focus Area #2: Mentor and share knowledge with fellow students in the program
3. Focus Area #3: Encourage feedback and engagement with current students

Communicate with the SLC!  If current students have questions or feedback for the program that they do not wish to share directly with the program staff, we encourage them to contact one of the SLC members.  They will meet regularly with MPA@UNC staff and can bring up any positive or constructive feedback that students would like to have shared.  Contact information is provided below.

Interested in joining?

• • Two times per year, each cohort that has not been a part of an application cycle will be sent information on how they can apply to become a member of the SLC. Two to three students will be selected from each applying cohort, so that we continue to have a good representation of students at different points in the program.

Questions or feedback for the SLC members?

• • Contact the members of the SLC with feedback and questions at mpaatunc_SLC@sog.unc.edu.
    
  • Current Members and a little about each:
    • Quintyn Bobb
      • 
      • Carrboro, NC
    • Halle Bradshaw
      • 
      • New York, NY
    • Jillian Brookshire
      • 
      • Raleigh, NC
    • Will Bulloss
      • 
      • Blacksburg, VA
    • Emmy Cavin
      • 
      • Mooresville, NC
    • Laura de Steiguer
      • 
      • Tuscon, AZ
    • Kevin Fulbright
      • 
      • Miami, FL
    • Suzy Grandgent
      • 
      • Durham, NC
    • Delaney Johnson
      • Tobaccoville, NC
    • JC Leser-McMinn
      • 
      •  Hillsborough, NC
    • Morgan McDaniel
      • 
      • Fairview, NC
    • LaShonda Sousa
      • 
      • Raeford, NC
    • Verdejo, John
      • 
      • Raleigh, NC

Two current students from each format of the program are appointed to serve on the UNC MPA Alumni Association Board.

The responsibilities of these Alumni Board Representatives include:

1. Attend Alumni Board meetings to provide the student perspective on agenda items.  Student representatives are encouraged to speak and add to the conversation based on their own work experience as well.
2. If a topic or concern arises for the Alumni Board to consider, the student alumni representative can request that an agenda item be placed on the formal agenda, as well as lead the discussion on that item.
3. Provide the current student perspective during strategic vision discussions and brainstorming sessions.
4. When necessary, facilitate a process with the entire student body in an effort to collect an even broader student perspective.
5. Report back to the larger student body the themes and results of the meetings.

Note:  The Alumni Student Representative positions are ex-officio and do not vote during meetings.

Current On-Campus Alumni Board Representatives:

• • 1st Year – Olivia Shelton
  • 2nd year – Sarah Dhunjishaw

Current Online Alumni Board Representatives:

• Angelica Foster
• Russ Pulley

Communication about when this student engagement opportunity arises will be sent to students via email.  If you have specific questions in the interim, please contact Allison Binkley, Director of Career, Alumni and Employer Engagement.

Student organization resources can be found on this page.

Please use the following guide when planning events in the MPA Program:

event_planning_document_final

The university also has a number of university-wide student organizations and events that play a vital role in enhancing the student experience.

• • The Office of Student Organizations works with all student organizations to facilitate their use of University resources and to empower students in their provision of services, programs, and activities that enhance the academic experience, extend learning and build community here at Carolina.
  • A comprehensive list of organizations registered at Carolina can be found here.

View the UNC Events Calendar to see events happening all across campus.

The Graduate and Professional Student Government is the arm of student government that represents all UNC-Chapel Hill graduate and professional students.

Student government aims to achieve the following:

• • Advocate for improved campus and community resources to campus administrators and state and federal legislatures.
  • Collaborate with the university administration, faculty, staff, and undergraduate students to create policies that respond to the particular needs and interests of all graduate and professional students.
  • Connect graduate and professional students both socially and intellectually across disciplines.

Interested in Getting Involved?

• • The MPA student body is allowed two student representatives to serve on the GPSG Senate to represent the interests of our program and students.
  • Please note, the students elected to the GPSG Senator position will also automatically serve as members of the Student Leadership Council.
  • As this is an elected position, the campaigning rules are as follows:
    

• The platform submitted and included on the ballot is the main part of the campaign.
• No class time should be used to campaign.
• Formal MPA listservs should not be used to campaign.

Additional ways to get involved with GPSG can be found here.

• • The current MPA senators are Ben King and Javier Limon.