UNC School of Government

10/06/2026

Please join us in welcoming Lucas Lawrence, the UNC School of Government’s first-ever Local Government Law Fellow. He has joined the School through a new initiative designed to strengthen the pipeline of attorneys entering local government law across North Carolina. Through August 2027, he will split his time between the School of Government and the Durham City Attorney’s Office—gaining hands-on experience with the legal issues facing counties and municipalities while supporting faculty research and writing on topics including community and economic development and local government authority. We’re excited to welcome Lucas and look forward to the contributions he will make to the School, the City of Durham, and the field of local government law.

Learn more about Lucas here: https://www.sog.unc.edu/about/news/unc-school-government-names-first-ever-local-government-law-fellow

10/05/2026

We’re recognizing faculty member and Bradshaw Award winner Jacquelyn Greene. Greene joined the School of Government in 2018. Previously, she provided national training and technical assistance on the intersection of juvenile justice, schools, and mental health. She also directly represented children in family court matters, beginning her legal career providing legal services to run-away and homeless youth and continuing to represent young people in a range of Family Court matters in New York State. Her Areas of expertise include juvenile justice, delinquency, and jurisdiction. Greene was nominated for her scholarship and practical resources that are essential to a broad range of stakeholders, including district court judges, prosecutors, defense counsel, magistrates, and law enforcement officers. Congratulations, Jacquelyn!

Read more about the Bradshaw Award: https://www.sog.unc.edu/about/news/three-government-professors-honored-richard-and-judy-vinroot%E2%80%99s-legacy

10/02/2026

We’re excited to share four engaging September blog posts from our faculty members: Adam Lovelady, Jeff Welty, Kristi Nickodem, and Jacquelyn Steadman Greene. Dive into compelling information on data centers, flock cameras, social media and the First Amendment, and juvenile law.
Use this link for the full round-up:
https://linktr.ee/uncsog

09/30/2026

What to expect from: GOVT 410 — Law, Government, and Ethics: Lessons from the Low Country led by Shea Denning
Working from Valerie Bauerlein’s nonfiction work, The Devil at His Elbow; Alex Murdaugh and the Fall of a Southern Dynasty, undergraduate students will explore the significance and impact of rules governing ethical behavior by government officials and public attorneys. The intention of this class is to focus not on the sensational murders but on the public and ethical abuses that permitted the Murdaugh dynasty to flourish, which ultimately brought about its demise.
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Save the course code, registration is coming up!
Learn more about the minor here:
https://lgpsminor.unc.edu

09/29/2026

School of Government faculty member Julie Beasley recently launched More Than a Helping Hand, a pilot program connecting adults 55+ with local volunteer opportunities to combat the growing crisis of social isolation and is currently serving Durham, Orange, and Chatham counties. By bridging older adults, nonprofits, and local governments, Beasley hopes to improve health outcomes while building stronger, more connected communities—with ambitions to expand statewide. She works alongside Lisa Herrera with UNC School of Medicine, current UNC MPA student Josh Davis, and Leopolda Santana with NC State University.

Learn more about her mission here:
https://www.sog.unc.edu/about/news/mission-moment-julie-beasley-helps-connect-older-north-carolinians-their-local-governments

09/28/2026

Today we’re recognizing faculty member and Bradshaw Award winner Kirsten Leloudis. Leloudis joined the School of Government in 2022. Previously, she worked served as an attorney in the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), Division of Public Health. There, her work focused on administrative rulemaking, health information sharing, and COVID-19 response efforts. Her Areas of expertise include public health law and local health departments. Leloudis was nominated for her practical and prolific scholarship in providing public health professionals across the state with essential, accessible tools for their daily work.

Read more about the Bradshaw Award: https://www.sog.unc.edu/about/news/three-government-professors-honored-richard-and-judy-vinroot%E2%80%99s-legacy
Check out Kirsten's mission to help every health department in NC: https://www.sog.unc.edu/about/news/mission-moment-kirsten-leloudis%E2%80%99s-county-county-commitment-public-health

09/25/2026

Today, we were pleased to welcome Professor William Pryor from the UNC School of Education and his pre-service teachers to our SERVICE Mural for an informal social studies lesson. The mural, created in 2010 by artist Colin Quashie, honors the Greensboro Four and celebrates the contributions of African Americans to North Carolina. Thank you for using our space to connect history, education, and community!
Learn more about the mural and the history behind it here: https://servicemural.unc.edu/service-mural/about/

09/22/2026

This series, in partnership with the NCImpact Initiative and PBS North Carolina, captures the power of local leadership, collaboration, and community-driven innovation. We’re grateful to Anita Brown-Graham for bringing these important stories to audiences across North Carolina. We look forward to the Season 7 premiere on October 16!

A partnership with the UNC School of Government, this public affairs series examines innovative solutions to the state’s most pressing challenges.

09/21/2026

Today we’re recognizing faculty member and Bradshaw Award winner Phil Dixon. Dixon joined the School of Government in 2017. Previously, he worked as a defense lawyer in eastern North Carolina for over eight years. He was nominated for his reputation as an expert, as evidenced by his frequent consulting with media organizations, including NPR and ProPublica, regarding complex legal and policy issues. Dixon’s areas of expertise are criminal law and procedure, public defense education, and cannabis/hemp. Congratulations, Phil! We look forward to celebrating your next achievement!

Learn more about the Bradshaw Award here: https://www.sog.unc.edu/about/news/three-government-professors-honored-richard-and-judy-vinroot’s-legacy

09/17/2026

Meet the faculty behind the minor.
The UNC School of Government's undergraduate minor in Law, Government, and Public Service is brought to life by four incredible faculty members: Jacquelyn Greene, Dylan Russell, Shea Denning, and Charles Szypszak. Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion for public service that will shape the next generation of leaders.

We'll take a closer look at their courses soon so you can get to know the people who will guide your journey.

🔗 Learn more here: https://lgpsminor.unc.edu