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Imagine yourself in public service

Lead for North Carolina is a premier local government fellowship for recent college graduates.

Lead for North Carolina connects promising young leaders with our state’s local governments. This innovative fellowship program supports communities and strengthens public institutions, while creating a new generation of extraordinary public servants.

Fellowship applications are now CLOSED for the 2025-26 cohort year! Please complete the Fellowship interest form to learn more about LNFC.

News

June 18, 2025
From Student to Public Servant

In August 2024, Paloma Garcia-Serrano stepped into the Foothills Regional Commission for her first day of work as a Lead for North Carolina Fellow. Lead for NC is a leadership development program…

News

June 11, 2025
The Role of Social Capital in Public Art

Written by: Skye Allan (Lead for North Carolina Cohort 3 Alum) In small towns held together by close ties and limited resources, projects and initiatives succeed or fail based on…

News

April 14, 2025
NC Fellows Advancing Language Access

After graduating from UNC Chapel Hill and NC State University in 2024, Kristy Nguyen and Anu Mishra were selected to be part of a unique local government fellowship program based…

Meet the fellows

Hannah Dove
Hannah Dove, Cohort 6
Jurisdiction: City of Bessemer City
 
Working with the community of Bessemer City has deepened my commitment to public service and community empowerment. I have seen firsthand how essential effective governance and community engagement are to a municipality’s well-being. This experience has reinforced my passion for entering a field where I can make a meaningful impact on my own community.

Hannah Dove is working with the city of Bessemer City on various projects. Her work includes helping the town meet NC Main Street membership requirements, conducting research on economic development opportunities, and reviewing and updating the traffic code to support effective governance and community growth.

Kristy Nguyen
Kristy Nguyen, Cohort 6
Jurisdiction: Town of Apex
 
I am grateful for the opportunity that Lead for North Carolina has given me to make a meaningful impact on the community. It is incredibly rewarding to see residents from all backgrounds attend and participate in town events and access essential services without language barriers.

As the Language Access and Community Coordinator for the Town of Apex, Kristy Nguyen is leading the implementation of the Town’s Language Access Plan to make resources and services more accessible to all residents. She collaborates with each department to identify and translate vital documents, ensuring key information is available to everyone, including Limited English Proficiency residents. She also coordinates interpretation services for town meetings and community events and works to ensure that all town programs, activities, and resources are accessible to all. These efforts break down language barriers and foster a more inclusive community where residents can actively engage with town programs, services, and local government.

Meet the Fellows
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Knapp-Sanders Building
Campus Box 3330
UNC-Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3330

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