2019-2020 Compass (UNCG MPA Program)

COMPASS

forging new directions in public administration

2 CoMPAss—UNCG MPA Newsletter

Table of Contents LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR……………………………………………………………..…….. 3 CONTRIBUTORS……………………………………………………………………………….………….. 4 BOARD MEMBERS…………………………………………………………………………….……..….. 5

BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: SUSAN SCHWARTZ……………………..……..……..… 6 2019-2020 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS……………………………………………………….. 7 ALUMNI REUNION…………………………………………………………………………………...…. 8 “PIE” AWARD WINNER: JEFF COLBERT…….………………………………………….……… 9 RETIRING PROFESSORS: KENNETH KLASE AND CHARLES PRYSBY………...... 10 FACULTY FEATURE: MARSHALL HURLEY…………………………………………………… 11

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: CHIP CROMARTIE ‘05………………………..….…………..……… 12 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: LINDA GOLDEN ‘01……………………………………..….………… 13 GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN URBAN AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT……... 14 GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT…………………….….… 15 2019 GRADUATES…………………………………………………………………………………..……. 16 2019 SUMMER INTERNSHIPS………………………………………………………………………. 17

CONFERENCES……………………………………………………………………………………….……. 18 PROGRAM AND SCHOLARSHIP DONORS……………………………………………….…… 19 CHERYL’S CORNER……………………………………………………………………………….……… 20 MPA ALUMNI COUNCIL…………………………………………………………………………….…. 20 ALUMNI NEWS AND NOTES………………………………………………………………………… 21

Spring 2020 3

Letter From The Director Public Pandemic. Public Service.

In a time of community distress, who do people turn to for assistance, guidance, and advice? Us, the public servants! In this time of crisis and challenge, I am most proud of those in, involved with, or of our program – all of you demonstrate the courage and fortitude to do what we know – to serve others!

As change is our new normal, I admire all that our program stands for and the people who work to make it one – our staff, faculty, students, and alumni. Most importantly, I am constantly amazed at the wonderful and beautiful things you all do for others, always!

Though I know many of you are facing challenges never imagined or endured, or struggling with new circumstances or surroundings forced on you by these quick, drastic changes, we all face these challenges together! Despite our physical distances, we hold each other close and dear. Know that we are here for you, so please reach out: reach out to your coworkers and neighbors, reach out to your family and friends, or reach out to us and your fellow UNCG MPAers. Key to getting through this crisis and chaos is doing it with those who care about you!

While this issue of our annual newsletter highlights many accomplishments, it was prepared before we moved into a world of Zoom, distancing, and empty streets. In this issue, we celebrate our scholarship recipients; meet program alumni, Chip and Linda; recognize the feats of Jeff Colbert; and learn about Susan Schwartz and Marshall Hurley. Yet, in each of these people appearing on these pages is you! As a community of public servants, we are more than students, alumni, faculty, and friends of the program - we are those who people rely on for relief and aid. As public servants, each of you offers a path of resilience for those throughout our communities facing strife or struggle. The one thing we all have in common is the servant gene: it’s in our DNA. Thus, we salute you for your service and thank you for being there to help others in their times of greatest need!

Thank you to each of you. As has been done in cities throughout the world, I too applaud all you have done. Our communities are blessed to have you a part of them.

Here’s to continued success and better times ahead.

Stay safe and distanced!

Peace and Love,

4 CoMPAss—UNCG MPA Newsletter

Contributors

This edition of coMPAss was prepared by:

Hunter Bacot, Grace Craig, Jo’ann Holder, Cheryl Hylton,

Elena Polanco, Ebony Pratt, and Forrest White

Spring 2020 5

Board Members MPA

Community and Economic Development

Nonprofit Management

Tina Akers-Brown, Executive Director, Greensboro Housing Authority

Deborah Hooper ‘13 Chief Operations Officer, Greensboro Chamber of Commerce

Tom Campbell President & Chief Executive Officer, Family Services of the Piedmont

Marty Lawing County Manager, Guilford County

Mark Kirstner Director of Planning, Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation

Lee Covington ‘96 Executive Director, Senior Services Inc.

John Ogburn ‘90 City Manager, City of Asheboro

Mike McNair Director, Community Development and Housing, City of High Point

Martha Paige ‘06 Town Manager, Town of Morrisville David Parrish Manager, City of Greensboro Matthew Reece ‘96 Assistant Director, Piedmont Triad Regional Council Hardin Watkins City Manager, City of Burlington

Derwick Paige ‘89 Retired Assistant City Manager Sue Schwartz Planning and Community Development, City of Greensboro Mac Sims, President East Market Street Development Corporation Penny Whiteheart Senior Vice President, Piedmont Triad Partnership Stan Wilson Director, Neighborhood and Community Development, City of Greensboro Marshall Yandle ‘08 Vice President, Economic Development Corporation, City of High Point

Chip Cromartie ‘05 Executive Director, Well Spring Solutions Steve Hayes ‘04 Executive Director, Guilford Nonprofit Consortium Cathy Powers ‘17 Executive Director, ADTS of Rockingham County Shanna Reece ‘96 Executive Director, The Servant Center Antonia Monk Richburg ‘00 Vice President & Chief Programs Officer, Cone Health Foundation Susan Schwartz Executive Director, The Cemala Foundation

6 CoMPAss—UNCG MPA Newsletter

Board Member Spotlight: Susan Schwartz Susan Schwartz is a member of the MPA program’s Nonprofit Management Advisory Board. Mrs. Schwartz is the Executive Director of The Cemala Foundation and has been in this role for more than 13 years.

She was one of the founders and is currently Co-Chair of Ready for School, Ready for Life What drew you towards the MPA program’s Nonprofit Management advisory board?

SS: I’ve really been impressed by students and graduates of the program, so I said yes when Ruth [DeHoog] asked me to join. The MPA is a helpful degree. Alumni are very loyal to the program.

They have so many graduates that are city managers, county managers, or department heads that are interested in current students. There’s a lot of interest in finding good people, which is an added benefit to the program.

If you were given two wishes, what are two things you would do for Greensboro and/or Guilford County?

SS: I would bring several companies here that could provide high-paying jobs. If that had to be my two wishes, it would be two companies… that would be fine. I just want us to have enough business here for people to be able to get high-paying jobs. If that counts as one wish, my second wish would be for our public schools to be the best in the southeast.

If someone was looking to get more involved in the community, how would you recommend they do that?

SS: There are three things I’d suggest: one, go to the Volunteer Center because they can always find

somewhere for you to work. I might go to Action Greensboro if I was a young person and get involved with Synergy. If I were somebody that didn’t want to do either one of those, I would find something I really loved and just go there and say “I want to volunteer.” Find something you enjoy or an interest area you want to pursue.

What are you most proud of in regards to your professional career?

SS: I attended a conference with two Cemala board members and someone from Brookings Institute presented a paper about the best investments that the federal government could make, one of which was early childhood development. After this, the board decided to invest heavily in this area.

I ended up partnering with Ed Kitchen over at Joseph M. Bryan Foundation. We determined that we wanted a system of care in Guilford County for children prenatally to five, which eventually became Ready for School, Ready for Life. Duke Endowment and Blue Meridian got involved recently and it’s provided this great opportunity for the community, so that has to be what I’m most proud of.

What other work have you done recently that you’re excited about?

SS: This is so different from anything I usually do, but I’ve been the chair of the Arbor Acres board for two years. I’ve enjoyed it because my parents actually lived there in their 80s. It’s totally different from anything I’ve ever done. I’m on the Green Hill board as well and I love going there, it makes me feel like I’m in New York City inside.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

SS: I enjoy doing things with my family and friends. I belong to three book clubs. I like working in my flower garden. I love going to Triad Stage, the Symphony, and I’m looking forward to the new performing arts center. I love Green Hill and Weatherspoon as well.

Spring 2020 7

2019-2020 Scholarship Recipients Cemala Foundation Fellowship Scholar: Grace Craig is a firstyear MPA student in the Nonprofit Management Concentration.

She entered the MPA program after receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from UNCG. Her experience as the Cemala Fellowship helped her to pay for school while gaining hands-on experience in the nonprofit sector. She is currently the Learning Together and Communications Intern at Guilford Child Development.

North Carolina City & County Management Association Scholarship: Forrest White is a firstyear MPA student in the concentrating in Local Government Management.

Forrest entered the MPA program in August after graduating from UNCG with his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He is also a graduate assistant in the office researching Canadian Supreme Court cases as well as United States voting and election trends.

Graduate Assistants this year are Jo’ann Holder, Elena Polanco, Ebony Pratt, and Forrest White.

May Davidson, Ruth DeHoog, and Annie Parham Scholarships were awarded to the following students: Destiny Alston, David Cashwell, Jessica King Clark, Katherine Faulkner, Lauren Forbis, Jo’ann Holder, Racquel Jones, Jay Mebane, Thomas Mierisch, Antonio Powell, Rebecca Ray, Emily Saine, Stephen Simpson, Taylor Strassburg, and Michala Westbrook.

8 CoMPAss—UNCG MPA Newsletter

Alumni Reunion panelists for the evening were Barbara West with the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, Jeff Thigpen with the Guilford County Register of Deeds, and Dr. Antonia Monk Richburg with the Cone Health Foundation.

The annual MPA Alumni Reunion was held at the Alumni House on October 25, 2019. Distinguished alumni, faculty, current students, and friends gathered together for a night of delicious appetizers and desserts; good wine, numerous awards, scholarship recipient recognitions and an exciting panel discussion about local media and the effect it has on local government. At the beginning of the reunion, alumni were able to reconnect with one another and learn from students who completed their Directed Field Research Project over the summer. Four students worked in local governments or nonprofits across the triad and conducted a research project to aid their organization. Project topics included Examining the Status of Local Human Relations Commissions in the Advancement of Gender Equity, Making Winston-Salem Home for Everyone: Building Integrated Communities Program (BIC)”, PART Transportation Study in Davie County, and HIV Medication Access in Guilford County.

MPA Program Director, Dr. Hunter Bacot gave a warm welcome to everyone in attendance. This year there were three door prize recipients: Rachel Holder & Courtney Hudson won the prize for living in the most states. Austin Yow won the prize for the shortest last name. Additionally, the Public Integrity and Excellence Award, fondly known as the “PIE Award”, was given to Jeff Colbert.

The main event took place through the panel discussion which was focused on Community & Program Engagement moderated by Jeff Colbert. The

Panelists answered questions about why community engagement is important to them, their personal secret to being an active and engaged member in the community, and gave examples of one of the more meaningful ways they have personally engaged with the community. The overall common theme was being intentional about building relationships and trust with those around you.

Overall, the night was filled with great networking opportunities for current students and alumni. There were excellent reviews about the panel and we are looking forward to next year’s event already!

Spring 2020 9

“PIE” Award Winner: Jeff Colbert Mr. Jeff Colbert is a lecturer in the political science department and a two-time alumnus (BA in Political Science ’84 and Masters in Public Affairs ’86). He has taught at UNCG for more than 30 years. This year, Mr. Colbert received the Public Integrity and Excellence award for his dedication to public service.

Tell us a little about your career in public service. What are some of the beneficial experiences that helped you with your career? What are some challenges you overcame and how did these help you with your career?

JC: My public service career for the most part has been teaching. For the last three decades plus, my public service has been teaching and I’m also very active in my church. I try not to just be the one who is teaching the class, but also looking at ways I can connect students. I look at my job as something other than only what I’m getting paid to do. I teach because I love the students and I love working with them.

Having mentors when I was an undergraduate and a graduate student helped lead me to my career. My mentor Jim Svara asked me to help co-author a paper and then asked me to copresent the paper, and it was at that academic conference where I realized that my career was going to be in academe and not in the traditional public service. I thought I was going to go into city or county government. Maggie Davis helped me get my first teaching gig at Guilford Tech. Without teaching someplace else, I don’t know if I would have ever been hired here.

I had a few challenges. One that many students face is “what am I going to do with my life?”

My plan was never to be a university faculty member.

The second major obstacle is that I made the decisions, and it was the right decision, to not go after my doctorate and to stop my education at the MPA level. Some of the things I would like to do and have done would have been easier if I’ve had what

people would consider the appropriate credential.

What did the UNCG MPA program do for you as far as molding you for your career? What things did you gain from the experience?

JC: It gave me the direction I was going to go in. I graduated in December of ’82 during the Reagan recession and there were not a lot of public sector jobs. I was urged to go into the MPA program by faculty at UNCG. Again, having Dr. Svara give me the opportunity to co-write and present that paper moved me away from being a practitioner and into the academic world. This work is exactly what I was meant to do. I would not be doing this without the MPA program.

What advice would you give current and incoming MPA students?

JC: Talk to faculty, get to know them. They’re smart people and for the most part, wise people.

When I help recruit for UNCG, I tell prospective students and their parents that one of the benefits of being here as long as I have, is that I know a lot of people here. I think one of the mistakes undergraduate and graduate students make is not getting to know faculty. Get to know your peers. Keep your mind open to possibilities. Do the best you can; don’t just slack through this program. If you do the best you can, even if you don’t succeed, at least you did the best you could.

What do you like to do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies?

JC: I am deeply involved in my church. I am currently the interim worship pastor at my church. My daughter and family go there, my wife goes there, we’re very active in church. I love to read. Besides that I really don’t have a lot of hobbies.

We have nine grandkids ranging from 4–24, so we have someone in or around the house all the time, or we’re going to soccer matches.

10 CoMPAss—UNCG MPA Newsletter

Retiring Professors: Dr. Kenneth Klase and Dr. Charles Prysby This year, current students, alumni, faculty, and family and friends came together to congratulate two phenomenal academics on their retirement from the Political Science Department. Dr. Charles Prysby and Dr. Kenneth Klase were surprised by their fellow faculty, staff, and families at the 2019 MPA Alumni Reunion with a heartfelt acknowledgement of their time in the department, as well as a fun slideshow that showed photos from throughout their lives.

When asked about the experience, Dr. Kenneth Klase recalls the past 20 years in the department fondly. One of the most rewarding things is watching his students go on to achieve professional success in the government and nonprofit sectors; a very good number of them going into budgeting field. Dr. Klase has no definite plans right now for after retirement, but is continuing through a phased retirement program. He will also be involved in some aspects of the NASPAA re-accreditation through Spring 2021. After that, he and his wife plan on building a retirement home in Asheville, with plans to travel and visit their daughters in New York and Oklahoma.

Dr. Charles Prysby found it difficult to summarize his past 49 years in the political science department briefly. If he has to describe his time in the department, he would say that it has been both rewarding and fun. He has thoroughly enjoyed working with the other faculty and helping teach both undergraduate and graduate students at UNCG. After retirement, Dr. Prysby and his wife plan on staying in Greensboro but traveling much more than they have been previously able to. Finally, he looks forward to getting to read all the books he has accumulated that he has yet to read.

Faculty Feature: Marshall Hurley Family. Law. Teaching. These are the three passions with which Marshall Hurley hopes he is readily identified. With a chuckle, he says, “If nothing else, I hope [people’s] impression of me is that I don’t take myself too seriously.” While his students might agree, many may not know that he is also a creative. In fact, Hurley is a skilled photographer who has curated a collection of eclectic pieces from shots of grizzly bears to portraits of the Chinese Opera, and New York’s transit system.

We spoke with Hurley to find out other potentially surprising facts about him.

Marshall Hurley grew up in a middle class household in Sedgefield, Greensboro. He thrived as an academic through his love for learning, particularly in the area of politics, history, and English. He attended Guilford County Schools during his formative years, but he ventured just a few miles beyond his home base for college. He studied at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and Wake Forest University for his undergraduate and law degrees.

He has been a licensed attorney in the state of North Carolina for 39 years. Currently, he practices general civil law, but he also has experience in election law, and government-related issues and representation. Hurley also has an extensive teaching career. He teaches Legislative Relations and Legal Issues in the MPA program and has done so for at least 20 years. He says, “Being an adjunct faculty member has been one of the best parts of my career because it takes me outside the normal expectations of the law.” When asked what attracted him to UNCG, he noted his sentimental connections to the university. He said that both his mother and sister are UNCG alums, so he knew he could not refuse the opportunity when it came along. Needless to say, he said that he is extremely grateful to continue serving the community in this capacity.

Looking back, he wonders how different his life would have been if he had, for instance, considered other college options. Hurley said that while he has no regrets about where he landed, he thinks that a more thoughtful process may have led to more unique experiences. As such, his advice to young professionals is to think through the options, and that it is a worthwhile process even if you end up right where you started.

12 CoMPAss—UNCG MPA Newsletter

Alumni Spotlight on Chip Cromartie ‘05 Chip Cromartie graduated from the MPA program in 2005 with a concentration in Nonprofit Management. He knew he wanted to obtain his MPA after talking to a number of nonprofit professionals and hearing about the high reputation of UNCG’s MPA program. He knew we were the right program for him after looking at the curriculum, meeting with faculty, and receiving financial support from the MPA program. Chip was very close with his grandfather growing up and volunteered in a nursing home during his undergraduate career, so it made sense that he ended up working at the Adult Center for Enrichment, now known as Well-Spring Solutions. Chip moved up the ladder at Well-Spring Solutions and was working as the Assistant Executive Director when he entered the program, but he knew that there was still more to learn and the MPA program could help him achieve that. The MPA program helped Chip achieve the knowledge and qualifications to further his career.

The MPA program helped teach Chip important concepts and theories while encouraging him to go out and apply them in the real world when he was not in classes. Even though information gets updated and continuing professional education is important for providing relevant services, the foundation established in the MPA program still rings true for Chip. A couple of years after graduating, he became the Executive Director at Well-Spring Solutions. He is also the Executive Vice President of Home and Community-Based Services at The Well-Spring Group. Chip led the transition for the Adult Center of Enrichment when it became part of The Well-Spring Group. Well-Spring Solutions is five times larger than it was as the Adult Center for Enrichment which means they are able to serve more older adults and employ more individuals all while maintaining their quality measures.

Chip is thankful to the MPA program for not only providing him with important skills to be an efficient leader, but also for the comradery he experienced with students and faculty alike. The MPA program introduced him to Ken Klase who he continues to talk to today, and Dr. Klase even served on Well-Spring Solutions’ Board of Directors at one point. Chip says to get out there and test what you’re learning in the classrooms in internships and jobs alike! Boards are also a great way to contribute knowledge to an organization while also learning from them. Chip has served on a number of boards including UNCG’s MPA Nonprofit Management Advisory Board, LeadingAgeNC, National Adult Day Services Association, NC Adult Day Services Association, NC Institute of Medicine’s Alzheimer’s Disease Task Force, Crescent Rotary Club, and is the incoming Chair for NC Adult-Based Services Association. When not in working or in board meetings, Chip enjoys spending time with his family, volunteering with his church, riding motorcycles, and scouting.

Spring 2020 13

Alumni Spotlight on Linda Golden ‘01 Linda Golden loves to learn and as crazy as it seemed, decided to return to school as a single mother of three daughters in 1994. Her educational journey began at Guilford College where she started out as an accounting major. Being immersed in a learning community focused on social justice, Linda found inspiration and a different calling. She graduated from Guilford in 1998 with a double major in justice and policy studies and economics with a minor in accounting. With aspirations to work in government or for a nonprofit, Linda decided that an MPA program was the next step. Starting out at UNC-CH’s MPA daytime program, Linda quickly found it difficult to juggle school and family. She transferred to the UNCG MPA program with classes in the evening and was awarded an assistantship with the Center for the Study of Social Issues where she learned about grant writing and the Federal grant process. And very importantly, she was better able to balance her education and work with family life.

During her time in the UNCG MPA program, she interned with the Greensboro Housing Authority as Policy and Procedures Analyst giving her experience with Federal regulations and requirements. After graduation, Linda served as a Governor’s Fellow with the NC Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention where she helped plan and facilitate an annual staff retreat, co-developed and produced the agency’s annual report, and researched and developed a juvenile recidivism study. After the fellowship, Ruth DeHoog, told Linda about a potential grantfunded position with the city of Greensboro. Linda got the job and worked as the Lead Safe Housing Program Administrator. While implementing the program, Linda had opportunities to network and work with officials from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In 2005, Linda took a position with HUD as a Healthy Homes Representative and in 2007 took on a new role as a Community Planning and Development Representative where she currently works as a Federal grant administrator helping NC jurisdictions with housing, community and economic development, and homeless programs. She has plans to retire at the end of May. Linda credits the UNCG MPA program for equipping her for local, state and Federal government work. So much of the course work is practical. The intensive writing and research assignments helped hone writing and reporting skills. The assistantship, internship and fellowship provided on the job training with exposure to regulations, government systems and requirements as well as great networking opportunities. The faculty and staff challenged and stretched her and the coursework provided real world knowledge and skills. Being part of an MPA cohort provides friendship, encouragement and support. To current and future MPA students, Linda says enjoy the journey, make friends, be open to where your path might lead, and know the program provides invaluable skills and networks to prepare you for a career where you can make a difference!

14 CoMPAss—UNCG MPA Newsletter

Graduate Certificate in Urban and Economic Development Dr. Allison Bramwell is the Coordinator of the Certificate program in Urban and Economic Development. She is an associate professor in the Political Science department and received her Ph.D. from the University of Toronto in 2010.

Dr. Bramwell teaches courses in urban political systems, public administration, and community and economic development. Her current research focuses on collaborative urban governance and the political environment regarding economic transformation.

Who would be a good candidate for the UED certificate?

The UED Certificate is a great way for those who have an interest in community and economic development to build their knowledge and credentials required to get started in the field. Many people graduate with an undergraduate degree but are not sure what field they want to work in afterwards or may not yet have the required courses or skill sets. Others who are great candidates for the UED Certificate include those who have already have professional experience and may even be working full-time, but want to augment their existing skills and knowledge base in order to advance their careers or position themselves for new employment opportunities. On this point, whether you are a recent graduate wanting to build a What does the Urban and Economic new knowledge base or an ‘in service’ professional, Development Certificate program entail? the UED Certificate program can also provide a The Graduate Certificate in Urban and Economic pathway into the MPA program at UNCG. Development (UED) is a post-baccalaureate degree program that is jointly offered by the Political Science What are some career opportunities for and Geography Departments at UNCG. Since it is an students that are obtaining this certificate? inter-disciplinary program, it can build on knowledge There are so many exciting and rewarding careers in from any undergraduate degree. The curriculum is urban planning and community and economic designed to prepare students for professional development that it is hard to characterize them all. practice and covers a wide variety of topics, practice Generally speaking, the UED Certificate prepares areas, and professional skill sets. Program students to develop and manage programs in requirements include 18 credit hours that can be multiple practice areas such as workforce completed at your own pace over 3 semesters. This development, and entrepreneurial development. This includes 4 required graduate-level courses drawn could involve working for city or county government, equally from Political Science and Geography. a regional development organization, or a Shorter 1-hour courses are offered to build more community-based nonprofit focused on some aspect applied skills such as Geographic Information of urban development or planning.

Systems (GIS), strategic planning, grant writing, and As the head of the UED Certificate program, program evaluation. We offer a combination of what are some of your overall goals for the evening and online classes so students can continue program? to work full-time while pursuing their Certificates.

My main goal is to promote the program to a wider Classes are designed to support students to build a spectrum of people who may not know about what knowledge base in the general areas of community great opportunities exist at UNCG and in the field. and economic development, as well as to develop Down the road, I plan on working with my colleagues more focused expertise in areas of personal interest. to expand course offerings from other departments Assignments and projects are intended not just to across campus and to improve accessibility by improve the research, writing, and communication offering different course formats. skills essential to professional life, but also to expose students to applied, ‘real world’ urban development Feel free to contact me at: afbramwe@uncg.edu policy challenges in the Piedmont Triad region.

Spring 2020 15

Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management Dr. Tamaki Onishi is the Coordinator of the Certificate program in Nonprofit Management. Dr. Onishi is an associate professor in the MPA program. and received her Ph.D. from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy in 2013. Dr. Onishi teaches courses in Nonprofit Management and Leadership as well as Philanthropy and Resource Development. Her current research involves entrepreneurial and institutional theories on social entrepreneurship and investment.

For incoming students, can you tell me a little about the Nonprofit Management certificate program?

Our NPM certificate program requires 15 credit hours of core courses (PSC540, PSC645, and PSC650) and elective courses, as well as the portfolio submitted at the end of the program. The program offers flexible curriculum, in-person and online classes, which makes it more convenient for students to complete the requirements. We work with seasoned professionals in law, grant writing, fundraising, and marketing as our adjunct faculty members and as guest speakers. For example, Philanthropy and Resource Development (PSC 650) follows curriculum developed for professional fundraisers and invites over 10 fundraisers and consultants to help students learn about specialized fundraising and grantmaking skills, including prospect research, fundraising campaigns, and planned giving. With this approach, I have witnessed an increasing number of certificate students get jobs and promotions in the nonprofit sector. Our NPM certificate program trains students to develop their research and critical thinking skills through various assignments. Some students choose to start at the NPM certificate program before they apply formal master or doctoral programs, including our MPA program.

Who makes a good candidate for this certificate program?

Demonstrating a clear career goal and high motivation is one of the most important qualifications for candidates’ success. This is a very diverse group of students, including those who have experience not only in the nonprofit sector, but also in the government or business sectors; it is also for individuals who are interested in nonprofit management as their second career or serving on a nonprofit board. An increasing number of certificate students come from different programs within UNCG’s Graduate School (e.g., MBA, Public Health, Museum Studies, Communication Studies, and Community & Therapeutic Recreation). I would say that any person who is passionate about nonprofit management should consider getting the certificate.

What are some career opportunities for students obtaining this certificate?

The Certificate in Nonprofit Management allows people to get jobs in resource development, volunteer management, program administration, and so many other areas within nonprofits. People who have completed our NPM Certificate have gone on to join nonprofit organizations such as March of Dimes, YWCA, and the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. Others were promoted to CEO, Executive Director, or other senior management positions within their organizations.

As the head of the certificate program, what are some of your overall goals for the program?

My overall goals include developing a variety of practical skills with students, including critical thinking and analytical skills. As such, I believe that our NPM certificate program is beneficial to future MPA students, especially those who aspire to find jobs or advance their careers in the nonprofit sector. I am happy to speak with anyone about the program and whether the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management is right for them.

Please contact me at t_onishi@uncg.edu

16 CoMPAss—UNCG MPA Newsletter

2019 Graduates MPA

NPM Certificate

Spring 2019

Spring 2019

Nathan Arrington

Josiephine Williams

Gloria Hoover

Tim Leisman

Summer 2019

Blake Moyer

Caroline Averitt

David Putnam

Frederic Coe

Cierra Rowe

Accacia Dickerson

John Sainworla

Joshua Leeper

Phillip Sheldon

Jeanette Quick

Michelle Sorrells Justin Williams-Blackwell

Fall 2019

Austin Yow

Kasey Donna Allantra Lewis

Summer 2019

Sonja Marinkovic

Tiffany Albright

Lindsay Parsons Tracy Velez Samantha Yancey

UED Certificate Fall 2019 Nathaniel Jones

FRONT ROW (left to right): Nathan Arrington, Tiffany Albright, Professor Ruth DeHoog, Tim Leisman, Austin Yow BACK ROW: David Putnam, Blake Moyer, Professor Hunter Bacot, Michelle Sorrells, and Gloria Hoover.

2019 Summer Internships Bruce Rich worked as an intern with Triad Health Project, the leading HIV advocate and service provider in Guilford County, beginning in May, 2019. While in residence at THP, Bruce conducted field research on access to antiretroviral medications. Fifty-one subjects, most of them clients of THP, participated in semi-structured interviews eliciting quantitative and qualitative information about the participants’ medication, medication funding, health outcomes and quality of care.

The research provided evidence of the effectiveness of THP’s case management services in facilitating clients’ engagement with the HIV care system and ensuring access and health outcomes significantly better than those seen in the general population of people living with HIV in the United States. Bruce is currently a researcher and project director at UNCG’s Center for Housing and Community Studies.

Jordan Paige interned with the Davie County Manager’s Office.

Beginning last May, he worked on a variety of projects and was heavily involved in community activities. His main duty throughout the summer was to figure out how to implement a regional bus service to transport people in the county to Winston-Salem and vice versa. This project involved reviewing data about neighboring counties’ ridership numbers; interviewing elected officials, PART transit executives, and the Chamber of Commerce; reviewing previous transportation plans in the county; and collecting data on public transportation views from residents. While adding a transit service to the County won’t happen overnight, Jordan was grateful in being able to get the conversation started among people. Currently, Jordan is working as a graduate assistant with the Andrew Mellon Foundation

Jo’ann Holder worked with the city of Greensboro in the Human Relations Department as the Commissions and Board Intern from May 2019 to January 2020. She was responsible for creating and presenting the professional development modules for the commissions/ committee; assisting with the development and execution of program plans; data collection and analysis; and policy research. The subject of her Direct Field Research paper was the examination of the status of local Human Relations Commissions in the advancement of gender equity. Jo’ann is a graduate assistant with the Political Science department.

Keviele McBride interned with the Human Relations department in the city of WinstonSalem. She attended and participated in many meetings that focused on learning about the Building Integrated Communities (BIC) program and discuss the organization of future BIC Pipeline informational sessions with other local government departments, helped in the planning process of the International Village festival, and learning more about the rights individuals have as tenants. Her Direct Field Research focused on solutions for the BIC program that were identified in 2016 and how they still have not fully been implemented in the community. The implementation stage of the process turns strategies and plans into actions in order to accomplish strategic objectives and goals. Winston-Salem’s BIC Program had taken the initial steps within the strategic planning process. However, they have yet to complete the implementation process and execute the proposed solutions. Keviele is currently a graduate assistant with UNCG’s Speaking Center.

18 CoMPAss—UNCG MPA Newsletter

Conferences North Carolina Nonprofit Conference

North Carolina City and County Manager’s Association Conference

Students attended The Conference for North Carolina’s Nonprofits in December 2019. This conference is a two-day networking and professional development event. Throughout its 26-year history, this Conference has provided a place where nonprofit staff and board leaders come together to learn, to network, and be inspired.

Local government and community and economic development students attended the North Carolina City and County Manager’s Association (NCCMA) Winter Seminar in February 2020.

Several students presented posters, including Sam Logan, Jordan Paige, and Forrest White.

The 2019 theme was Homegrown Innovations; students attended sessions on low-risk innovation strategies, river effect mapping, and getting results with limited resources. Students enjoyed hearing keynote speaker Dana Weston discuss the importance of confidence and optimism to effectively lead nonprofit organizations.

Students were accompanied by faculty Nancy Hunter ‘08 and connected with alumni Michelle Jordan Paige with his poster on PART transportation in Sorrells ‘19, Rachael Burrello ‘15, and Margaret Davie County. (more information on page 17) Elliott ‘95.

Sam Logan (left) and Forrest White (right) with their poster on cybersecurity in local government.

FRONT ROW (left to right): Elena Polanco, Adriana Villa, Angie Roberson MIDDLE ROW Destiny Alston, faculty Nancy Hunter, and Ebony Pratt BACK ROW: Grace Craig and alumni Michelle Sorrells

The MPA alumni breakfast before the conference was attended by Michael Ferris ‘94, Wilson Hooper ‘06, Martha Paige ‘06, Derwick Paige ‘89, and Matt Reece ‘96.

Spring 2020 19

Program and Scholarship Donors Many thanks to everyone who donated to the MPA’s two funds this year. Next Generation Scholarships (now the Ruth DeHoog Scholarship) and student activities depend on your continuing support in 2019. We appreciate your generous gifts!

Ruth DeHoog Scholarship Award Contributors *Ben Ballou ‘11 *Dr. Kevin Bottomley ‘06 Wendy Coe ‘14 Lee Covington ‘96 *Linda Golden ‘01 *John Gribble, Jr. ‘01 Jeron Hollis ‘13 *Rachel Kelley ‘09 Christopher Klinger ‘04 Tanaya Suddreth Lynch ‘13 Jae Kim ‘12 Laura Lorenz ‘91 Sarah McGuire ‘14 Ron Norwood ‘91 Trevor Nuttall ‘06

MPA Enrichment *Ben Ballou ‘11 John Bratton ‘12 *Emily Caudle Rector ‘11 Jackie Copeland ‘97 Lauren Forbis ‘19

*John Gribble, Jr. ‘01 James Herring, Jr. ‘95 Jeron Hollis ‘13 Melissa Johnson ‘08 *Rachel Kelly ‘09 Jae Kim ‘12

Lamar Lee ‘17 *Bernadette Smith Murray (NPM Certificate ‘17) Shawna Barrett Tillery ‘07 Anne Aldridge Webb ‘04

Marshall Yandle ‘08 *Sustaining supporter of the MPA program (3+ years)

20 CoMPAss—UNCG MPA Newsletter

Cheryl’s Corner What a year, right?

If you know me, you know that I am not a fan of change. My philosophy is if it “ain’t” broke, don’t fix it! I’ve been through a lot of changes working here at UNCG. It seems like as soon as I learned one program and became comfortable with it, another would take its place and I was back to square one learning a program where I found nothing was wrong with the old one.

Second semester of this year started out great! No issues, no program changes, no drama. Life was good! Good until COVID-19 appeared. It didn’t click with me how serious this was until they sent us home. This has been a monster and it sent everything I thought was organized in my job spinning. The rapid decline of applications, the Comps I students being made as guinea pigs by taking the exam online, the face to face Comps II defenses now being defended through Zoom, and the graduation ceremony for my dear Golden Children now being delayed until December. How I looked forward to seeing our new graduates in their caps, gowns and hoods!

Fortunately, Hunter and I got our ducks in a row and made our lemonade from the lemons we had been given. I know the changes you all went through were stressful with the unknown of what was going to happen and how it would be done. You jumped the hurdles of what was thrown at you and you got through it! You did it with courage and strength…you made it and I am very proud of all of you!

Life is full of changes and we all must make the lemonade from the lemons that are thrown at us at some time in order to succeed.

Good luck to our new MPA graduates and I hope the future brings you success and joy!

MPA Alumni Council The UNCG MPA alumni council is comprised of recent program graduates for the purpose of supporting public service leaders and the advancement of the MPA program through alumni engagement. This group will strive to collaborate with students, faculty, staff, and alumni to be an example to model for other university graduate alumni groups. Our initial activities will consist of supporting faculty and staff with the annual MPA Alumni Reunion. We will explore options to engage recent graduates through ideas such as adding a recent alumni award, diversifying venture selection, collaborating with UNCG homecoming events to have a midweek event, and rotating event formats/topics.

Current alumni involved include:

• • • • • •

Tiffany Albright ‘17 Rachael Burrello ‘15 Darian Cobb ‘18 Sara Hancock ‘16 Gloria Hoover ‘19 Rachel Kelly ‘09

• • • • • •

Lamar Lee ‘17 Sarah McGuire ‘14 Blake Moyer ‘19 David Putnam ‘19 John Sainworla ‘19 Phillip Sheldon ‘19

• • • • • •

Joshua Sherrick ‘15 Michelle Sorrells ‘19 Lee Staton ‘18 Chris Watkins ‘19 Justin Williams-Blackwell ‘19 Brittany Wissick ‘18

Spring 2020 21

Alumni News and Notes Shanta Addison (’17) is the Coordinated Entry Manager for Raleigh-Wake Partnership to End and Prevent Homelessness. Shanta manages the system on how homeless people access housing interventions for all of Wake County.

Dr. Kevin Bottomley ('06) was appointed as Professor in Indiana's Global Leadership PhD Program. He was previously Executive Director for the YMCA in Greensboro for 15 years.

Rachael Burrello (’15) is now the Program Officer for Family Support with the North Carolina Partnership for Children.

Darian Cobb (’18) has a new job as a Community Development Research Analyst for the Local Government Federal Credit Union in Raleigh.

Hunter Glenn (’15) is Planner I for Chatham County.

Brenna Goggin (’08) is the Mid-Atlantic Leadership Development Manager for River Network. She helps increase the effectiveness of river and watershed groups and related community-based organizations throughout the Mid-Atlantic/ Chesapeake Bay region.

Her job is to help groups define their strategies and goals, expand their community organizing and civic engagement efforts, grow their nonprofit management and leadership skills, and work together for greater impact.

Natasha Nimmons Gore (’02) has a new job working for Management Leadership for Tomorrow coaching a cohort of underrepresented minorities seeking admission to top business schools.

Aubrae Collins (‘10) is the Associate Director of Advancement Services at LIFESPAN Incorporated in Marykarinna Hall (’11) is Guardian ad Litum Supervisor for NC Administrative Office of the Charlotte, NC. Courts.

Carrie Miller Conley (‘10) is back on the east coast Jennifer Hance (’13) is the Community Engagement after living in Monterey California for 4 years. & Outreach Coordinator for the City of Greensboro Carrie is the Director of Development at North Parks & Recreation. She previously was the Music Carolina State University.

Center Director for the City of Greensboro.

Jackie Copeland (’97) is the Waiver Contracts Sara Hancock (’16) as of January, is back in Manager for Partners Behaviorial Health Greensboro as a Budget and Management Analyst for Management. the City.

Fernando Cruz (‘88) is the Regional Account Chris Harrington (’05) is the Chief Operating Manager for Clean Earth.

Officer for Coldwell Banker Triad Realty.

Shana DiCamillo (’10) is the Director of Development & External Relations for the Center for Kimberly Hattaway (’96) is the Editor at the Florida Department of Education.

Elder Law & Justice in New York.

Kimberly Roberson Hill (’97) is Treatment Greg Ferguson (‘94) is the new Assistant City Coordinator for Village Dental North Raleigh.

Manager for High Point.

Mathew Fitzwater (’11) is the Executive Director for the Lake Norman YMCA. Philip Freeman (’12) is the Division Manager for Community Leadership & Training at the City of Charlotte.

Yolanda Miller Galloway (’15) is the Health and Wellness Coordinator with the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (Parks & Recreation Department. She lives in Odenton, Maryland.

Brian Gano (’06) is the Director of Student Advocacy and Accountability for Louisburg College.

Wilson Hooper (’06) is the Town Manager for the Town of North Wilkesboro.

Anna Simon Hoy (’11) is the Owner/Certified Childbirth Hypnosis Instructor for Hypnobabies in Asheville, NC.

Nate Humphrey (’12) is the Workforce Education Director for the Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges.

Quannah Jackson-Brown (’15) is in Child Support Services for Durham County Department of Social Services.

22 CoMPAss—UNCG MPA Newsletter

Alumni News and Notes (cont.)

Elizabeth Trosper Jernigan (’08) is a Trail Planner for the City of Greensboro Parks & Recreation.

Andrea Miller (’06) is the Grants Manager of Junior Achievement of Central North Carolina.

Clifton Johnson (’10) is a Consultant for the Clearing, Inc., in the Washington, DC area.

Charlotte Miller (’94) is an Outpatient Therapist for Youth Haven Services.

Jeanne Johnston (’09) is a Senior Project/Campaign Kelly Misiak (’14) works for the United Way of Stanly County as the Community Impact Director for Counsel for Community Causes.

Coordinator.

Denise Kissel (’98) is a Resource Development Coordinator for Wake County Human Services.

Heather Mitchell (’12) is the Director of Budget Barry Kitley (’99) is the Director of Special Projects Planning & Personnel for the Graduate School at UNC Greensboro. for High Point University.

Christopher Klinger (’04) is a Palliative Care Translator Instructor for the University of Toronto Translational Research Program.

Tameika Leslie (’04) is the Project Manager for Mecklenburg County Child Support Enforcement.

Nicole Lindahl (’17) is a Program Assistant/Big Projects Coordinator for Interactive Resource Center (IRC) in Greensboro.

Jonathan Lucas (’03) is the Senior Director of Workforce Strategy for The ARC of the U.S. Kevin Lundy (’13) is the Director of Grantmaking Programs for the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro.

Rita Maloy (’95) is the Volunteer Coordinator for National Board of Certified Counselors Foundation.

Blake Moyer (’19) is the Economic Development Project Manager for the City of Burlington.

Sierra Napier Leach (’11) is a Data & Performance Analyst for the Office of the City Administrator, Washington, DC. Robert Nunn (’00) is the HR Law & Compliance Manager for Human Resources, City of Greensboro.

Bruce Oakley (‘02) is the Town Manager for Carolina Beach.

Amanda Osborne (’01) is the Vice President of Mission Advancement for Make-A-Wish in South Carolina.

Daniel Perkins (’04) is the Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Partners, South.

Kristin Simmons Perry (’13) is the Chief Operating Leigh Marquess (’04) is the Clerkship Coordinator, Officer for Senior Services, Inc. in Winston Salem, Career & Professional Development Center for Duke NC. John Prudente (’13) is a Senior Research Associate University Law School.

Jason Martin (’06) is the Assistant County Manager for the University of Texas, Austin. He works remotely from his home in Apex, NC. for Davidson County.

Frankie Martinez-Oronoz (’14) is the Undersecretary of Federal Affairs for Puerto Rico Department of Education.

Nasser Rahimzadeh (’13) is the New Planning and Community Development Director for the Town of Clemmons.

Warren Matthews (’86) is the Editor for the Yadkin Emily Caudle Rector (’11) is the Director of Development for Salemtowne Retirement Valley News.

Community.

Melanie McDonough (’03) is the Traffic Laura Hill Reece (’95) is the President of Junior Coordinator for WECT News in Wilmington, NC. League of Daytona Beach (FL).

Kristin Buchner Medlin (’11) is the Director of Delia Rhodes (’97) is the Learning Communities Research for Treetop Commons in Greensboro.

Coordinator at Wake Forest University School of Ashley Howze Michaud (’04) is the Senior Director Medicine. of Development for Clinical Programs at Emory University.

Spring 2020 23

Antonia Monk Richburg (’00) has been awarded The Adelaide F. Holderness/H. Michael Weaver Award, one of two prestigious public service honors given by the UNC Greensboro. The award recognizes exemplary public service and civic engagement, honoring North Carolinians who have served our local community, but who may not have received attention for their actions.

Ben Riesser ('13) recently accepted a position as a Data Analyst working on a project called "Improving Health Outcomes" with the American Medical Association in Greenville, SC. They are collecting national data on hypertension and diabetes. He and his wife, Emily Michelle, are expecting in November.

Cierra Rowe (’19) is a Procurement Officer for the Department of Finance for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee.

Matt Sutter (’17) is a Budget and Management Analyst for the State of Vermont.

Savanna Tandski Reagin (’19) was promoted to Professional Designs Manager for the NC Association of Realtors.

Pamela Thombs (’89) is Director of Consumer Financial Transactions Clinic for NCCU School of Law. Brian Tuma (’11) is the Branch Manager/Senior Loan Officer for Movement Mortgage.

Brandon Ulick (’09) is the Senior Construction Loan Underwriter for State Employees Credit Union.

Kolt Ulm (’09) is the Senior Appropriations Committee Advisor for the North Carolina Senate.

Clay Voignier (’05) is the Director of Community Planning & Development for Richland County Government (SC).

Brie Salamone (’16) is the Development Coordinator Katrina Wade (’15) is an Enrollment Advisor for for MSPCA – Angell in the Greater Boston Area.

Delgado Community College in New Orleans, LA. Madison Sampson (’17) is a PhD student of Public Megan Walley ('14) recently accepted the position Policy & Administration at George Washington of AmeriCorps Director at The Servant Center in University. She also works as a Preteen Program Manager for Homeless Children’s Playtime Project. Greensboro.

Phillip Sheldon (’19) is the Program Support Administrator for Rural Forward North Carolina – Foundation for Health Leadership and Innovation.

Casey Smith (’06) is the County Manager for Davidson County.

Christa Tabor Smith (’05) is the Human Service Evaluation & Planning Manager for Forsyth County Department of Social Services.

Robert Smith (’82) retired as President for United Way of Greater High Point during the summer 2019 after several years with them.

Peggy Hall Williams (’02) is the Public Relations Manager for Ferguson Enterprises.

Allison Wray (’16) married James Blay on June 22 in Greensboro. Allison works as a Church Partnership Specialist for Passport Camps.

Austin Yow (’19) is a Project Coordinator with the Village of Marvin, NC.

Jennifer Hance (’13), Elizabeth Jernigan (’08) and Michelle Sorrells (’19) is a Program Assistant for the Alex Zaleski (’15) were honored as 2019 Recipients of Tom and T. Cooper James Government Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro.

Improvement Awards. They share a $2500 prize for Nicholas Spivey (’09) is Partner/Attorney for the law creating Adult Recess, a program to engage adults in firm of Rossabi, Rearden, Klein, Spivey, LLC in the community through fun, interactive and unique Greensboro. recreation activities. This program allows adults to Lee Staton (’18) is the new Public Housing Director unwind and engage with other adults while playing childhood games. Not only did this save the City for the City of Albemarle. He was previously the $2000 but they had over 600 adults participating.

Executive Director of Mustard Seed Community The program received national recognition in the Health in Greensboro.

Wall Street Journal, NPR and more.

Jenny Stokes (‘02) married Scott Thomas on November 16, 2019. They live in Raleigh and she works for Beacon Street Development doing sales, marketing and events for their local and eastern North Carolina properties.

COMPASS

forging new directions in public administration