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Cohort 7

Jurisdiction: Town of Murphy

University: UNC Chapel Hill

Hometown: Wake Forest, NC

Maria Jose Cuenca earned her degrees in Political Science and Global Studies from UNC-Chapel Hill, concentrating on international Latin American politics and minoring in Urban Studies. She recently returned from serving in the Peace Corps in Peru, where she focused on youth leadership, civic engagement, and gender equity alongside local families and leaders. At Carolina, she served as Vice President of UNC Por Colombia, drawing on her Colombian American identity to foster cultural connection and community involvement. Maria Jose has also interned with international NGOs such as Counterpart International and We-Empower, contributing to global development and partnership strategies. As a Lead for NC Fellow, she’s eager to build on her public service journey and collaborate closely with the people of Murphy.

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In Clayton, numbers show how resources support services and meet residents’ needs. Each figure in the budget provides insight into how departments operate and how programs are funded, creating a…

July 25, 2025

By Andy Bradshaw The School of Government is pleased to share the continued work of Lead for North Carolina Fellows. As the western region of the state continues to respond to the…

June 18, 2025

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…

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