Supporting M.P.A. Excellence
The UNC School of Government’s nationally ranked Master of Public Administration program educates promising students and leaders who bring an invaluable commitment to public service to communities and organizations within North Carolina, across the country, and around the world. We plan to expand scholarships and support our expert faculty as we continue to prepare effective, responsive leaders for an increasingly complex and challenging public arena.
PREPARING THE NEXT GENERATION
While our faculty expertise and innovative data tools exemplify our commitment to serving communities, this dedication is evident also in our classrooms and training sessions. Whether facing a group of graduate students, government officials, or public and private clients, our faculty proudly impart practical, hands-on knowledge from a nonpartisan perspective. Our courses, workshops, and leadership programs all prepare public servants for successful careers.
The most prominent example of our educational value is our nationally ranked Master of Public Administration program. Our MPA program, which is offered both on campus and online, prepares effective leaders for careers in every level of government and in non-profit or other organizations that support the public interest. Through pragmatic training and interaction with faculty experts in their fields, our graduates emerge incredibly well equipped to serve their communities.
Richard Stevens MPA ’78
A model public servant, Richard Stevens has dedicated his life to improving North Carolina. He served as a senator in the North Carolina General Assembly from 2003 to 2012 and was ranked its third most effective member by the nonpartisan North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research. During his tenure as Wake County manager, Stevens was key in supporting the county as the population doubled and the annual budget grew from $81 million to more than $500 million. In 2000, the American Society for Public Administration and the National Academy of Public Administration honored Stevens with the National Public Service Award.
Sharon Rothwell MPA ’78 and Doug Rothwell MPA ’78
Sharon and Doug Rothwell credit their career success in both the public and private sectors to their experience at the UNC School of Government’s MPA program. Prior to retirement, Sharon Rothwell served as chief operating officer for Michigan Governor John Engler and as vice president, corporate affairs, for Masco Corp. Doug Rothwell is president and chief executive officer of Business Leaders for Michigan and chair of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, an organization he founded. Previously, he was Delaware Governor Michael Castle’s chief of staff. Both Sharon and Doug Rothwell credit the MPA program for enabling them to work across sectors in navigating policy, taking part in politics, and conducting business.
