GRADUATES SEEKING EMPLOYMENT

as of Summer 2015

Carolina MPA GraduatesThe Master of Public Administration program at UNC-Chapel Hill is considered among the best public administration graduate programs in the country, ranking sixth nationally in the specialty area of city management. Our alumni transform organizations, influence public policy, and effect positive change in communities throughout North Carolina and across the country.

The challenges facing our world today need the passion, integrity, intelligence, and leadership of individuals committed to public service—well-prepared individuals who are trained to think critically and act with compassion and reason. Graduates of the Carolina MPA program are equipped to make substantial contributions to the organizations that hire them, to the communities they serve, and to the world.

Employers who recruit from Carolina’s MPA program have access to individuals with experience in team-building and problem-solving. In addition to completing extensive coursework, graduates have developed skills and knowledge through meaningful professional internships.

In the following pages, you will meet students who are seeking employment after graduation in May 2015.

Students in the online format of the Master of Public Administration program (MPA@UNC) are available year-round, and many of them have seven or more years of substantive professional experience in the public sector. We can easily connect you with students and alumni who meet your hiring needs.

To request further information: Contact Susan Austin, career services director, at 919.966.4159 or austin@sog.unc.edu.

To view student resumes: Visit www.mpa.unc.edu/node/104. To log in, enter password 2tarheel2.

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RAFAEL BAPTISTA seeks a position with a local, state, or federal government agency involving budgeting, management, public safety, or intergovernmental relations.

I have a wide range of interests but am especially focused on working with a public service agency to help it more effectively and efficiently provide services to citizens. I am passionate about helping governments collaborate to solve cross-jurisdictional problems based on my previous experience in intergovernmental relations.

JOSEPH BEASLEY seeks a position in North Carolina state or local government.

I am eager to assist in the development, administration, and analysis of sound public policies that directly benefit the citizens of North Carolina. My yearlong experience in the NC governor’s office allowed me to assist frustrated citizens and introduced me to effective communication strategies for working with both the public and media. As an MPA intern for the cities of Kannapolis and Concord, I conducted research on a variety of issues and provided practical recommendations. I have continued to develop these skills as a research assistant at the UNC School of Government.

EDWARD BLAYNEY seeks employment in local government.

During my military service, I spent four years learning how to make strategic decisions, solve a variety of problems in a dynamic environment, execute projects, and manage budgets and organizations. I am excited about the opportunity to apply these skills to local government management. My summer placement with the City of Charlotte helped translate my military experience to a local government setting and build my skills, abilities, and interests. I am currently working as a research assistant focusing on innovation in local government and am eager to apply the results of my research in a community.

NICK BYRNE seeks a position in law and public policy with a focus on intergovernmental relations.

As a JD/MPA dual-degree candidate, I am interested in working at the intersection of law and public policy. I seek a position that will allow me to work with governmental units in support of their legal affairs division while also advising on policy development and outreach to the governing body. My past experience and coursework in employment law, municipal liability, and strategic planning, in addition to my exposure to debt management and capital planning matters as a former member of a state treasurer’s staff, position me well for a dynamic role in state and/or local government.

BRITTANY CLARK seeks a career overseeing service provision to low-income communities.

I would like to work with an agency responsible for monitoring fund allocations and programs targeting family and adult self-sufficiency. My work with nonprofit organizations has given me insight into nonprofit/governmental interactions, and I would like the opportunity to further explore how such partnerships can lead to more effective service provision with successful long-term outcomes. My experience in management and planning has provided me with skills to monitor and evaluate programming, facilitate open communication, and promote effective program design.

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SUMMAR CORLEY seeks employment in a state or federal government agency.

I am interested in state or federal government policy and programs leading to positive change for underserved citizens, particularly low-income individuals with mental illnesses. Earning a Master of Social Work provided me with a strong understanding of the impact of these issues and the importance of conducting evaluation during policy formation and implementation. My research, data analysis, and budgeting experience throughout the Master of Public Administration program expanded my understanding of the ways data can be used to inform change. I look forward to uniting my passions for policy, evaluation, efficiency, and improving the lives of underserved individuals.

KASEY EL-CHAYEB seeks a career in public affairs at a government agency or nonprofit organization.

I am interested in working in public affairs due to the important role communication plays in the success of an organization. I believe this is especially true in public service organizations that serve many stakeholders and must consider the needs of a diverse group of people. My undergraduate degree in journalism and my practical experience in public affairs have taught me the importance of communicating with those you wish to serve, and my experience in the Master of Public Administration program has provided me with a deeper understanding of those groups. I am especially interested in using public relations tools for strategic planning, stakeholder outreach, and media relations.

DAVID FINLEY seeks a permanent position as a local government analyst.

I am pursuing a career in local government management, driven by my interests in government accountability and community leadership. As an intern with the Town of Chapel Hill manager, I’ve focused on improving organizational effectiveness. My projects include revising the Town’s administrative policies, improving performance measurement systems, and designing departmental business plans. I’ve enjoyed analyzing the organization from a town-wide perspective, and I hope to have a position in a manager’s or budget office helping departments achieve strategic goals and finding new ways to interact with the community.

DAVID GOLDBERG seeks a position focused on policymaking in the areas of emergency management and regulatory affairs.

I have devoted my professional and academic life to defining public problems and then turning good ideas into good policies and good laws. My subject-area expertise focuses on emergency management and regulatory affairs at all levels of government. I have applied these skills in various positions, ranging from a full-time legal internship in the Office of the President Pro Tem of the NC Senate to serving as a member of the NC Appraisal Board. I seek a position where I can improve my community through innovative policy development.

MICAH GUINDON seeks a permanent position with a local, state, or national agency in the field of education.

My specific interests lie in organizational development, policy analysis and reform, and human resources. My background as a classroom teacher and later a nonprofit literacy program manager instilled a desire to serve the public through high-quality program implementation and evaluation. I look forward to the opportunity to work to improve the education system for all learners.

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WHITNEY HARRIS seeks a career with a federal agency or local government focused on policy analysis or intergovernmental relations.

My experience in county government budget and management analysis helped me develop analytical skills that I hope to apply to future work in a federal or local government position. My interest in intergovernmental relations stems from working in community development as a Peace Corps volunteer, where coordination and communication among different levels of government was critical to effectively implementing programs.

MICHELLE Y. HOLDER seeks a career in city or county management.

It is my mission to build a sense of community where I live and work. I aim to inspire others to think creatively, fulfill their capacity, and collaborate effectively and want to encourage this at a community level. My experience working in and studying local government, nonprofit, and for-profit organizations helped me develop an aptitude for building connections between these worlds. I am eager to practice balancing the administrative duties of the local government manager with the art of interpersonal influence and leadership.

COLE JUSTAD-SANDBERG seeks a job in North Carolina local government.

I am especially interested in working on equity issues and learning how government can best address the needs of an increasingly diverse state. I believe that government can be a force for positive change, and I want to help bring that change to North Carolina.

MAIA KNOX seeks a career in local government focused on management, community development, or budget preparation.

Through my internship in a rural county manager’s office and work as a teacher in the developing world, I have committed myself to identifying and implementing practical efforts to improve quality of life through efficient service delivery. An ideal position will allow me to apply my research, analysis, and writing skills to serve the interests of a diverse community.

YIFAN LIU seeks a career in economic development at the international level.

My internship with the Wake County Parks and Recreation Department showed me new and effective ways to serve the public. I was mainly responsible for the “CAPRA Parks Accreditation” project, examining the feasibility of achieving accreditation for Wake County. This project helped me understand that a comprehensive system is necessary to provide excellent services. I look forward to building on this understanding in a career through economic development.

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ANNA MCGEEHAN seeks a permanent position with a stormwater management consulting firm.

I am interested in working for a nonpartisan group that focuses on policy analysis and financial assessments, particularly in the areas of stormwater management and green infrastructure. My experience as a research assistant at the UNC Environmental Finance Center has given me the skills necessary to assess stormwater management policies from a political, economic, environmental, and engineering perspective. I would like to use my broad policy background, professional writing skills, and strong communication skills to work with city and state leaders to craft stormwater management solutions that are both fiscally sound and environmentally conscious.

MALCOLM MUNKITTRICK seeks a full-time position with a city, county, or state government agency or private firm engaged in land use and transportation planning projects.

I am interested in taking a leadership role on city and regional planning projects. My interests have grown from professional experiences working in the architectural and environmental management fields, through my city and regional planning studies, to my recent certification as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional in Neighborhood Development. I am eager to gain experience developing and implementing new strategies that strengthen the economic structures of our communities and improve our interactions within the built and natural environments.

JOHN O’CONNOR seeks a career in information policy or data management in the public sector.

As a dual-degree candidate in public administration and information and library science, I am interested in working to improve citizen access to public information. I believe open government and citizen engagement are of the utmost importance to a functioning democracy. Helping organizations realize those goals in a manner beneficial to themselves and the citizens they serve is my ultimate career goal. I believe this is possible with strong information policies and data management standards.

MAGGIE PARKER seeks a career in real estate development with a local government or community organization.

Working with the School of Government’s Development Finance Initiative, I currently serve local governments and community organizations by analyzing opportunities for private real estate investments in distressed communities. I am interested in working on similar initiatives that serve as tools for economic development and build long-term wealth in disadvantaged communities.

ERIC REESE seeks a permanent position in a local government management and budget office or economic development corporation.

I am interested in working to strengthen the budgeting and finance functions of local communities and ensuring those communities continue to grow economically. This interest comes from my experience raising and managing funds for a nonprofit organization supporting District of Columbia Public Schools and was supplemented by experience working in budgeting and strategic planning for the Durham County Manager’s Office. I look forward to using this expertise to help local communities develop and implement strategic budgeting and economic development plans.

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SUSAN SANFORD seeks a career in economic development, especially involving business recruitment and expansion to increase local employment.

I enjoy convening community stakeholders, collaborating and facilitating planning, evaluating results, and marketing successful projects across media platforms.

CAROLINE SIMPSON seeks a position in nonprofit or local government administration with a focus on community development.

As a dual-degree candidate in public administration and library science, I have a special interest in how public sector organizations use information to make decisions and communicate with stakeholders. My time in AmeriCorps working with nonprofits to develop programs and raise funds also gave me an appreciation for collaborative program design.

ANNA SNYDER seeks a career in local government administration with a focus on public information or in a public library that works closely with local government.

As a dual-degree student in public administration and library science, I have a deep interest in the exchange of information between government and citizens. I am interested in helping local governments properly manage information and improve citizen access. Preserving and providing access to information is a crucial component in facilitating transparency and accountability. My professional experiences have helped me to appreciate how accessible information can bridge the gap between citizens and government.

MATTHEW TEAL seeks a career with a state or local government agency that uses intergovernmental relations to address global challenges affecting North Carolina.

I have a special interest in understanding how government agencies are responding to global challenges affecting North Carolina, particularly economic stagnation, growing income inequality, and long-term unemployment. My experience working in the intelligence community and prior graduate studies in homeland security have given me insight into these challenges at the national and international levels, and I now look forward to serving the citizens of North Carolina at the state or local level.

KATHERINE THOMPSON seeks a permanent position with a nonprofit or human services organization.

My experience as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer for a nonprofit child advocacy center in West Virginia prompted my interest in child welfare. Through my work with Wake County Child Protective Services, I gained valuable direct-practice skills. As an intern with the director of the Orange County Department of Social Services, I acquired essential hands-on experience in public human services management. I am interested in working for a nonprofit or public agency that serves children and families. I am also interested in working with military and rural populations.

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CONNOR WINSTEAD seeks a permanent position in local government administration.

I am especially interested in working with administrators to develop long-term plans for sustainability, particularly around infrastructure and economic development. Growing up in Nags Head, North Carolina, I witnessed the growth of a dynamic coastal community and the decisions local officials made in response to changes in environmental and economic climates. This experience piqued my interest in the thought processes behind these decisions and how different jurisdictions approach long-term planning.

ANNA ZHANG seeks a career with a local government focused on urban revitalization and development or an agency engaged in international cooperation.

I am especially interested in working for and learning from agency directors and others involved in these fields. Much of my work experience has been with local governments in both China and the United States. I enjoy working to improve the lives of people in urban areas.

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