Noah Champion | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 

Noah Champion is a Western North Carolina native and will soon graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with his MPA. Over the course of his academic studies, he has worked with the North Carolina Department of Administration’s Purchase and Contract Division and the town of Cary Budget Office. In Cary, he assisted with improving the town’s performance measurement system by reviewing departmental measures and helping connect performance data to budget and strategic planning decisions. Through these experiences, he has developed a passion for performance management, local government finance, and community engagement. Noah’s long-term goal is to serve as a city or town manager.

Noah Ellington | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Noah Ellington is a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned dual MPA and master of city and regional planning degrees. He serves as a program coordinator for the North Carolina Benchmarking Project, supporting the collection of service delivery data and facilitating performance measurement initiatives with municipalities across the state. His experience emphasizes applying analytical tools to improve local government services. Noah aspires to a career in city or county management focused on organizational performance and equitable service delivery. 

Brenda Portaro Garcia | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Brenda Portaro Garcia is an MPA candidate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she will graduate in spring 2026. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Washington Tacoma in 2020, graduating magna cum laude in politics, philosophy, and economics. After gaining experience in Washington State government, she developed a strong interest in local government and served as a budget intern with the town of Holly Springs. Upon completing her MPA, she plans to return to Washington State to continue her career in public service. 

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Michael O'Rourke | Creighton University

Michael O'Rourke is graduating from Creighton University with a bachelor of arts degree in political science, with an emphasis in public policy and a minor in economics. Michael was a founding member of the Creighton ICMA student chapter in 2023, and he has served in an officer role for the past three years. During that time, Michael attended conference with the Nebraska and Oregon City/County Management Associations, helped to promote campus events and recruitment, and worked with several local organizations including Omaha Together One Community and the Omaha Municipal Land Bank. Michael is passionate about good governance and professional administration. He is currently applying to MPA programs and plans to pursue a career in public service. 

 

Thomas Christopher Neale | James Madison University

Tom Neale is graduating in May 2026 with an MPA from James Madison University. Over two years as an intern at the Shenandoah County Chamber of Commerce, Tom led initiatives including a Giving Tuesday campaign that raised $90,700, a 145% increase from the prior year. He secured a $5,500 grant from the Virginia Tourism Corporation and advanced the Chamber's 501(c)(3) foundation from concept to state filing. His local government experience also includes municipal website development, parking enforcement modernization, vendor selection analysis across multiple Shenandoah County localities, and consulting work through MPA coursework. This included an analysis of Shenandoah County's 2045 Comprehensive Plan, identifying strategies for innovation and underutilized initiatives. Tom was selected as a 2025 Virginia Governor's Fellow and recognized as one of VTOP's top interns during his first year of graduate study. After graduation, Tom aspires to bring a competitive, results-driven approach to a career in the federal government in Washington, D.C.

Caitlyn Wilson | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Caitlyn Wilson earned her undergraduate degree in business management and marketing from Delaware State University and will earn her MPA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in May 2026. During her studies, Caitlyn worked with the city of Sanford, North Carolina in the Office of Public Affairs and Communications. There, she gained considerable knowledge about local government operations, public policy, and community engagement. Caitlyn is passionate about creating opportunities for community connection within local government and is eager to provide impactful public service for local government initiatives.

 

Glover Wright | University of Memphis

Glover is the new chief administrative officer of the Shelby County Public Defender, where he also represents clients at trial and on appeal and helps coordinate training for new lawyers and interns. A graduate of Columbia College, Columbia Law School, and the University of Memphis's MPA program, he is originally from Humboldt, Tennessee. Glover is an alumni faculty member of Gideon's Promise, a nationwide public defender training program; sits on the Amicus Committee of the National Association for Public Defense; and is a former board member of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He has taught client centered representation and trial skills to lawyers from around the country. In his new position, he hopes to take what he has learned at the University of Memphis to help drive positive organizational change.

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Josie Zakrzewski | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Josie Zakrzewski, originally from North Little Rock, Arkansas, earned her undergraduate degrees in history, international studies, and Spanish from the University of Arkansas. She moved to North Carolina to pursue her MPA at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she served as the university’s ICMA Student Chapter Treasurer. During her studies, Josie worked as a manager’s office intern at the town of Chapel Hill. After graduation, Josie will work for Craven County, North Carolina, as a budget analyst.