We are proud of our alumni and the variety of jobs they hold. Below are statistics on recent graduate placement and a sample of placements of recent alumni.
| Graduate Placement Statistics Fall 2023-Spring 2024 | Boone | Forsyth |
| Federal Government | 0 | 0 |
| State Government | 4 | 1 |
| Local Government | 10 | 7 |
| Non-profit domestic-oriented | 2 | 1 |
| Other | 7 | 1 |
Statistics represent employment within 6 months of graduation.
Map of MPA Alumni
"The alumni base is second to none, and provides continuous mentoring of new and old graduates alike." -MPA Alum
Alumni Profiles
Jennifer McCraken
Health Director of Catawba County Public Health
James Inman
City Manager of Bessemer
Ken Gamble
Town of Mocksville Manager
Josh Ross
Director of Administration for Bessemer City
Michael Peoples
City Manager of Gastonia
Kim Eagle
Gaston County Manager
Freddie Broome
Director of Equity and Inclusion for the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA)
Cody Taylor
Appalachian Development Finance Fellow
Casey Harris-Pratt
Assistant State Budget Officer for NC
Brian Barnett
Deputy County Manager and CFO for Pitt County
Toni Shope
Marketing Director for McGill Associates
Crystal Glenn
Associate Dean School of Workforce Development and the Arts Catawba Valley Community College
Brandon Elrod
Human Resources Director for City of Newton
Recent MPA Placements
Federal Government
- FBI in Raleigh
- Federal Police in Washington DC
- US Department of Veterans Affairs Program Officer
- US Army Officer
Local and State Government
- Police Department Officers in Winston-Salem
- Emergency Management Director in Watauga County
- Assistant to City Manager in Winston-Salem
- Business and Industry Manager in Davidson County Workforce Development
- County Manager in Rockingham County
- Boone Police Department Officers
- Town Manager in Green Level
- Register of Deeds in Guilford County
- Downtown Development in Gastonia
- Budget Analyst in Asheville
- Budget Analyst in Hendersonville
- Administrative Assistant in Marshville
- Associate Budget Analyst in Charlotte
- Budget Analyst in Charlotte
- Police Officer in Phoenix AZ
- Planner at Western Piedmont Council of Governments
- Downtown Support Specialist in Boone
- Compliance Officer at High Country Council of Governments
Nonprofit Administration
- Outreach Assistant at Safe Alliance in Charlotte
- Communications and Outreach at New River Conservancy
- Outreach at NFL Players Externship Program
- Outreach Coordinator at Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture
- Grants and Programs at Forsyth Arts Council
- Program Specialist at Smart Start in Caldwell County
Education
- Advancement Services Manager at Summit School in Winston-Salem
- Coordinator at Winston Salem/Forsyth County Schools
MPA Matriculation Data 2017-2018
Total
| 2017/2018 Graduation Rates | Initially Enrolled | Graduated within 2 yrs | Graduated within 3 yrs | Graduated within 4 yrs | Total Students Persisting to Graduation |
| All | 26 | 14 | 23 | 24 | 24 |
| Boone | 17 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 |
| Catawba | 9 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 8 |