The UNC School of Government is pleased to announce the arrival of Belal Elrahal to its faculty. Elrahal joined in July 2024 as assistant professor of public law and government. He will work in the field of criminal law and procedure, specializing in motor vehicle law.

The School of Government is excited to announce the addition of Rebecca L. Fisher-Gabbard to its faculty ranks. Fisher-Gabbard joined the School’s law and finance division in May 2024. As assistant professor of public law and government, she will advise and instruct municipal attorneys.

At the 2024 American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) Conference, two UNC Master of Public Administration leaders took home honors for their leadership in the public personnel field.

The UNC School of Government’s Master of Public Administration Class of 2024 gathered with faculty, family, friends, and staff on May 11 to celebrate their graduation from the program. The ceremony, held at the Frank Porter Graham Student Union, honored 52 on-campus and online graduates—who completed the program in Summer 2023, Fall 2023, and Spring 2024, respectively.

The rise of widely available generative AI tools has sparked numerous

Improvisational theater is not often connected to the office environment, but it takes center stage in the Civic Fellows program.
A workshop on improvisational acting has long been a part of the Fellows’ curriculum, and Paula Pazderka and Andrew Aghapour have led emerging leaders through the activities for the last several years. “Improv is not only fun; it’s a way to train our minds to become more present when collaborating with others,” said Aghapour.

The UNC School of Government is proud to share the continued success of its Master of Public Administration program. Now in its 27th year at the School, the UNC-Chapel Hill MPA has once again been named one of “America’s Best Graduate Schools” by U.S. News & World Report in its 2025 rankings.

The School of Government extends its congratulations to faculty member Leisha DeHart-Davis upon her receipt of the 2024 Herbert Simon Award.

The Lead for North Carolina (LFNC) program continues to lead the way in preparing its Fellows for successful careers in public service.

It’s December 1, 2023. Five Points Crossing is weeks away from opening, and all its apartments are already leased. Fifty households will soon be moving into brand-new, energy-efficient units in downtown Rocky Mount, with amenities like a playground, fitness center, and a covered rooftop terrace with views.

UNC-Chapel Hill introduces Richard Livingston, UNC MPA student, in video about his drive toward public service.
There are many numbers and statistics floating around in Richard Livingston’s mind each day, but one stands out among the rest.
“The statistic is that 50 to 75% of local government workers are nearing retirement age,” he said. “So there’s definitely a dearth of young people interested in local government.

This year, an MPA student with a record of service and dedication to the public interest was recognized with the prestigious Harvey Beech Scholarship.
