SPOTLIGHT ON JEFF THIGPEN
FROM THE DEAN
NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT
HORIZONS
UPCOMING EVENTS
FALL 2012
THE UNCG GRADUATE SCHOOL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
MASTERING
Public Affairs
F E AT U R E S T O RY
Photo courtesy of Jeff Thigpen.
Keeping a County “On Point”
J
JEFF THIGPEN WALKED into Tate Street Coffee and it was immediately
heard really good stories...and felt a unique and contagious energy
apparent that this was the kind of man who knew just about every-
permeating in the hallways among these YEOs...all under 35 years of
one in Greensboro. “Hey, Jeff!” the owner of the coffee shop called
age and serving in state and local elected offices. In a couple hours
out. Another woman from a different direction smiled his way. Thig-
I went from the guy considering writing this kind of book to the guy
pen’s two children, Elle, 9, and Aiden, 5, giggled with excitement
who was definitely going to write that book. I left there with busi-
as they took pieces out of Tate Street Coffee’s chess set and placed
ness cards from over a hundred people,” he explained. Thigpen was
them on the table beside their dad. “Oh, thanks for buying my book!” Thigpen smiled, tapping his book, On Point, which sat on the table between us. It is easy to see he is a well-known elected official in Greensboro.
Jeff Thigpen is currently the Register of Deeds in Guilford County, but he has served this county for over twelve years. Thigpen holds a B.A. in Political Science from Guilford College and a Master’s in Public Affairs from UNC Greensboro. At only twenty-seven years
YOUNG LEADERS ARE INCREDIBLY DIVERSE IN THEIR MAKEUP AND MINDSETS AND AREN’T AS POLITICALLY PARTISAN AS YOU MIGHT THINK.
old, Thigpen was elected the youngest county commissioner in the history of Guilford County. “I felt like I could change the world,” he smiled, as he talked about being so young and involved in politics.
inspired by all of the fresh, young energy and he immediately began
In his book, On Point, Jeff Thigpen tells the stories of sixteen young
collecting stories. “I just went up to each YEO and said, ‘Hi, I’m Jeff.
elected officials who are creating change in the world as their lives’
I really want to hear your story.’ I didn’t care what their political
work.
positions were; I just wanted to know what ignited their passion to
Thigpen had always thought about writing a book, but inspira-
serve and what they were learning about themselves and the world
tion struck in 2009 when he traveled to a Young Elected Officials
around them. Young leaders are incredibly diverse in their makeup
(YEO) Convening event in Atlanta. “As I began listening to folks, I
and mindsets and aren’t as politically partisan as you might think,”
F E AT U R E S T O RY
he said. They are a ‘partnership’ genera-
Photo by Wyndell Earles/UNCG.
Dr. Ruth DeHoog on Public Service
“
Both government and nonprofit agencies have faced many challenges in the past few years due to the economic downturn and its related consequences. While public and private resources have been stretched, the demand for more effective leadership and management has increased because of distrust of government. Meanwhile, nonprofit organizations have been called upon to fill the gaps, to meet growing human needs, though with constrained funding from government and private donations. Given this context, public service leadership and skills are necessary, whether in the government or nonprofit sectors, to grapple with these serious issues. UNCG’s Master of Public Affairs (MPA) program has been preparing students for public service leadership since the mid-1970s. Our curriculum and requirements are aimed at filling the need for ethical, skilled government and nonprofit managers who are motivated to make their organizations’ services more effective, efficient, and equitable. While our graduates have found meaningful work in a wide range of places and positions, many have remained in the Triad region and have held responsible positions in government, education, and nonprofit agencies. We have a strong alumni network that continues to support public service education. We also depend upon Greensboro foundations, friends, and alumni for not only financial support, but also to hire interns, work with student teams for community-based research projects, and help communicate the value of the program. We have expanded our nonprofit concentration and certificate offerings in the last two years, and we are particularly pleased that our students have found many opportunities to serve nonprofit agencies’ needs for volunteers, interns, and research. While the economic challenges in our society continue to grow, our graduates are being prepared to meet them with a commitment to serve the public.
”
thoughtful from beginning to end.”
tion not limited to ‘either/or’ approaches
Right after graduation in 1997, Thigpen
to problem-solving and are incredibly in-
was nominated for and received the presti-
novative. They have this innate capacity to
gious MLK Community Service Award from
dig beneath entrenched positions and find
Guilford County for facilitating commu-
common needs and interests. And they will
nications between local African American
need every one of these skills. After being
ministers, political and business leaders.
told they can do anything by their friends
This group, known as the Business/Pul-
and parents, they begin their professional
pit Forum Work Group met for two years.
careers smack dab in the middle of the worst
Shortly thereafter, he was asked to run for
recession since the Great Depression. The
county commissioner. “I laughed about
biggest question is, will they be able to find
it then and figured I’d run for something
the good in each side and create, inspire, a
within the next ten years,” he explained.
way in which we can make progress?”
However, within the next couple weeks, his
In his role as Register of Deeds, Thig-
dad passed away. His father’s death inspired
pen recently took almost thirty large banks
Thigpen to take a chance and run for county
to court to investigate robo-signing on
commissioner, and he has not looked back
mortgages and loans in Guilford County.
since. At only twenty-four years of age, he
While looking through thousands of docu-
returned to UNCG for his MPA, and was
ments at his office, he became aware that
only twenty-seven years old when he ran for
the lines between who-owned-what in the
his first elected position. “UNCG’s Masters
county were blurred. On top of this, it was
of Public Affairs program has informed the
apparent that the banks had been using aliases to sign and forge documents. Local officials believe the county-wide suit is one
Learn more…
of the first of its kind. In March 2012, Jeff was featured on MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show to address this issue. (For more
To purchase On Point,
on this investigation, visit http://www.re-
visit Jeff’s website at
storepublicrecords.com.)
www.jeffthigpen.com.
Ironically, Thigpen was not the most dedicated student at UNCG until the very end of his Master’s degree. “The joke was, I was late for every class, I turned every paper
major aspects of my political life. As a result
in at the last minute, and I fought what
I became a better county commissioner and
the program was trying to teach me until
now a better department director. That’s a
the very end,” he laughed. “Shortly before
result of the program’s unique focus on the
graduation, I had to submit a paper and
intricacies of how politics and the policy-
presentation to Dr. Ruth DeHoog and other
making process work together in public ser-
professors about what I’d learned in the
vice,” he added.
program. It was a watershed moment and
Jeff Thigpen has definitely established a
everything came together. I can honestly
positive name for himself in Guilford Coun-
say it was the best paper I’d ever written.”
ty. When asked if he would ever run for a
There were multiple professors who en-
position outside of this area, he smiled. “I’ve
couraged and mentored Thigpen during
learned that if anybody looks too far ahead,
his time at UNCG. “Dr. Janice Tulloss was
they lose track of where they are,” he said.
an inspiring teacher who understood the
For now, Thigpen is focused on making Guil-
politics of race and class in ways that were
ford County a better place to live and grow.
refreshing. Dr. Susan Buck challenged me
His demanding career and his two young
to think clearly and ethically at the cross-
children with his wife, Michelle, who has
roads where politics and policy meet and
two Master’s degrees from UNCG, keep him
there is the need for a deeper wisdom,” he
busy. “Going down multiple roads at once,
said. “I met regularly with Ruth [DeHoog]
the banks, the book...I was incredibly bored
at each stage of the MPA program. She
a year and a half ago, and now I’ve feel like
knew I was constantly preoccupied with my
I’m strapped to rockets and I’m just trying to
work in Greensboro but was patient and
hold on.” He is not stopping anytime soon.
INSIGHTS
New Horizons
Photo courtesy of Marquette University
T
THIS IS A VERY EXCITING TIME
through
for
approaches.
us
in
The
Graduate
each
of
these
and faculty. Each article provides the basic information about a topic but then directs
School. We are rededicating
With this publication, we are
ourselves to effective com-
announcing our newest ad-
munication with all of our
dition, a graduate quarterly
The publication will be produced each
students, alumni, and friends.
publication called HORIZONS.
quarter and designed around a theme. This
In the past, The Graduate
We have chosen this name for
quarter’s issue is dedicated to the theme
School printed a publication
a number of reasons. First,
“Educating for Leadership in Public Af-
called Eunomia, which shared
the name Horizons connotes
fairs.” Of course, this is timely as we move
information regarding hap-
a broad landscape. Rather
into the election season. Future issues will
penings on campus related
than a limited or narrow view
highlight themes that correspond to events
to graduate education. Times have changed
of the graduate world, the publication now
unfolding in The Graduate School and the
and we now live in a multimedia world. The
provides a view of graduate education that
greater society. Our next issue will look at
Graduate School is committed to embracing
spans the various disciplines and the many
The Graduate School’s upcoming program
these new media outlets and using a number
audiences that we serve. Second, we want
to help Prepare Future Leaders. We look
of methods to reach our various audiences.
to emphasize what lies ahead. We often ask
forward to bringing you this new format
Recently, we started a Graduate School blog
the question, “What’s on the horizon?” Our
and hope that it will expand your horizons.
focusing on events internal to The Graduate
Horizons magazine is designed to not only
School as well as events that affect graduate
share what is occurring today but what the
education as a whole. In addition, we are
future entails. As part of our multimedia
using social media to communicate through
mix, this magazine can be seen as one
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
piece of an integrated approach to telling
We hope to reach our numerous constituents
our stories as well as those of our students
the reader to our online media for further information.
— Dean Bill Wiener
SELECT UPCOMING EVENTS
10/25
“New Directions in Tar Heel Politics?” 7:30 p.m. Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, Associate Professor of Politics & History, Catawba College Dr. Thomas Eamon, Associate Professor of Political Science, East Carolina University Dr. Ferrell Guillory, Professor of Journalism, University of North Carolina Moderator: Dr. Charles Prysby, Professor of Political Science, UNCG
11/15
“The Meaning of the 2012 Elections” 7:30 p.m. Dr. Scott Keeter, Director of Survey Research, Pew Research Center for the People & the Press Both events will be held in Room 225 of the Curry Building Auditorium. Free parking available in the Highland Avenue parking lot behind the Gatewood Studio Arts Center. A reception will follow each lecture. Questions? Contact Sarah Spagnola at smspagno@uncg.edu.
POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT MPA Alumni Reunion:
THE GRADUATE SCHOOL “To Borrow or Not to Borrow?
Opportunities for Graduate Study/
Friday, October 26, 6-9:00 p.m.
Student Loans and You”
Research Abroad:
Virginia Dare Room, Alumni House
Tuesday, October 23, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 14, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
MPA Alumni Pizza Night: Monday, November 12, 5:30-6:45 p.m. Two alumni discuss their careers and choices.
School of Education Building, Room 12 Graduate School Open Houses: November 9, 12, 30, and December 14
Note: Registration required for some events. Locations vary. More information available online at grs.uncg.edu.
Spring 2013 Graduate School Information Session Monday, February 4, 2013
STUDENT PROFILE
Serving on Multiple Fronts
M
MANY OF OUR graduate students
boro—she
already
Hollis has only positive things to say about
lead very busy and interesting
there,” he laughed. At that
the MPA program and describes how helpful
lives. Jeron Hollis is no excep-
time, China was enrolled
UNCG’s professors are. “I couldn’t pick just
tion. While serving as a member
in the nursing program at
one who has helped me; I would say that it
of the South Carolina National
UNCG. As Hollis considered
is a team effort. Each instructor leaves their
Guard, Hollis spent six months
his career options, he decid-
imprint. The way our program is organized,
in Kyrgyzstan. More recently,
ed to further his education.
you get time with each professor. There is
he worked as a District Liaison
“I learned about the Public
never a closed door here. You also get to
for NC Congressman, Brad
Affairs program and I decid-
meet people working in the field. When they
Miller in Raleigh. Hollis, 37, a
ed UNCG was the best place
come in and speak to the class, you can see
Master’s student in Public Af-
to get my degree,” he said.
how what you’re learning is going to apply
was
fairs at UNC Greensboro, also holds a B.A.
Hollis started his journey as a MPA student
degree in Religious Studies from the Uni-
while working for the City of Greensboro.
to what you want to do,” he explained. By his May 2013 graduation from UNCG,
versity of South Carolina. “Years ago, I felt
In September, while still completing his
Hollis will have held three different jobs
I wanted to be a full-time pastor. It didn’t
degree, Hollis began working as a commu-
in government; each position represents a
quite work out that way, so I figured I’d
nications officer for the City of High Point.
career progression. His career goal is to
work at the federal level but I didn’t really
“I think that my life ex-
be a city manager.
know anything about it [working for the
periences have helped
“I think that I’m on
government]. During my time in the mili-
me to be successful
the right track,” he
tary I felt I had the best of both worlds: I
in the MPA program.
says of achieving his
had the opportunity to be in a governmental
When you’re younger,
objectives. “In life,
setting while also working to make a differ-
you don’t understand
sometimes you have
ence abroad. Pursing my degree is not just
how well your educa-
to be good and some-
about improving my career, but rather an
tion plays into your
times you have to be
expansion of how I am involved in my local
vocation. Many of the
lucky and sometimes
community” he said.
students in my classes
you have to be both.
are already working in
I am just a few steps
Just after his first wedding anniversary, Hollis was deployed to Kyrgyzstan where he
the field. Learning with them gives you bet-
away from my ultimate job. I want to make
served in the communications department.
ter perspective on what you hope to do. It
a difference for our citizens, and to learn
During this six-month deployment, his wife,
helps you craft your area of concentration.
at every level. I really enjoy my work. My
China, relocated from Columbia, SC to
It is not just what you learn in the classroom
current position with the City of High Point
Greensboro for her job. “When I returned
environment, it is also the tools and contacts
gives me a chance to use my skills, educa-
to the United States, I went right to Greens-
you can take from the classroom,” he said.
tion, and life experiences together.”
PIXELS By supporting Graduate Education you help enhance the educational experience for all graduate students at UNCG. Your gift will enable The Graduate School to offer more and better opportunities for all graduate students and to make their stay at UNCG one they will always remember. http://grs.uncg.edu/give/
Graduate School Website: grs.uncg.edu
Apply Yourself: http://grs.uncg.edu/links/apply
SOCIAL STUDIES
Graduate School Bulletin: http://grs.uncg.edu/bulletin
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Horizons Online: http://grs.uncg.edu/horizons
HORIZONS THE GRADUATE SCHOOL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
FALL 2012 Dean: William R. Wiener, Ph.D. Assistant Dean: Scott Hudgins Managing Editor: Denise Sherron Graduate Assistant for Social Media: Rachael Wonderlin Graduate Assistant for Copy Editing: Katie Zimmerman Print and Web Design: Fifth Letter: www.fifth-letter.com Illustrations: Kyle Webster (BFA ‘99): www.kyletwebster.com
The Graduate School The University of North Carolina at Greensboro 241 Mossman Building 1202 Spring Garden Street Greensboro, NC 27412 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Visit us online for more exclusive online content, including a profile of faculty member Omar Ali. http://grs.uncg.edu/horizons
ALUMNA/STUDENT PROFILE
Connected Across the Miles
L
LORRIE CAREY’S FINGERTIPS were stained with dirt when she logged
Since her home is New Hampshire, the online NPM program allows
on to Skype the Friday morning of our interview. She smiled and
Carey to still attend her alma mater albeit from hundreds of miles away.
held up her hands. “Working on a Harley Davidson funeral arrange-
“When I first chose UNCG, the university had recently become co-ed.
ment,” she explained. Carey, the owner of a New Hampshire-based
As a woman, it was my opportunity to put UNCG on the map with
floral arrangement business and an active politician, is back “at”
what I would accomplish in my life. It was important to make my
UNC Greensboro after twenty-five years. She is a current student in
mark, for UNCG, as a female.” Many of the leadership positions at
UNCG’s Nonprofit Management Certificate online program which
UNCG were held by men and she immediately set out to change
has given her a new way to reconnect with her alma mater. Carey
that. She was involved in student government and the graduate student
graduated from UNCG in 1985 with a B.A. in Theater, but she did
council. Currently, she’s running for New Hampshire’s House of
not stop there. During her senior year at UNCG,
Representatives in her district. “I’ve always been
while simultaneously finishing up her undergraduate
involved in politics. I’ve spent my entire life striv-
degree, she started working on a Masters in Public
ing to change the way things are and it’s never
Affairs. At only twenty-one years of age, she was the
fully accomplished.” she said. Even her Bachelor’s
youngest person in the program. Carey graduated
degree in theater from UNCG has helped her in
with her MPA in 1987 and now continues her edu-
the political arena. Although the skills she devel-
cational pursuits with UNCG’s online program.
oped in the theatre program were vastly different
UNCG’s Nonprofit Management Certificate has
from what she learned in her political science
been offered for over ten years and is now online.
courses, Carey feels “the whole world is a stage”
The certificate program consists of fifteen credit
and the skills have always complimented each
hours which include core courses in leadership,
other nicely. When asked what was in her future, Carey smiled
philanthropy, and financial management, as well as elective options for marketing, strategic planning, grant-writing,
and suggested, perhaps, this is not her last degree. “We’re living a longer
law, and volunteer management. Dr. Darlene Rodriguez from the
time and I think that our lives should have more than one career. I’ve
Department of Political Science leads the program. Carey read about
got four children and I say that to all of them. I like to do many things
the program in the department’s alumni newsletter and thought,
simultaneously. You come to a point where you want to have a new
“Gee, that’s perfect. I was serving on a nonprofit board and I kept
experience. What can engage my mind? I’ve always believed in being
thinking there had to be a better way to run things.”
a lifelong learner.”
Carey explained her biggest challenge with online classes was the technology involved. “Everything is online: research, Blackboard, classes themselves...it was a huge learning curve for me.” Overall,
Learn more…
however, she’s glad to be “back” at UNCG. After visiting the physical campus twenty-five years later, she noted that much had changed.
Visit http://www.uncg.edu/psc/mpa/nonprofitcert.html to get details
“The campus is more landscaped and is aesthetically pleasing.”
about our Nonprofit Management Certificate program.
3,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $2,196.00 or $0.73 per copy.