>> Narrator:
A Master of Public Administration is a professional degree for anyone seeking management positions
in government or nonprofit organizations.
UNC Charlotte’s Gerald G. Fox MPA Program provides education and training for the public
and nonprofit sectors, conducts scholarly and applied research to advance the field
of public administration, and serves the community.
Gerald G. Fox devoted over fifty years to public service in city and county government,
as well as nonprofit and community leadership.
During his twenty years as Mecklenburg County Manager, Gerald Fox epitomized what it is
to be a public leader in growing community.
The MPA Program at UNC Charlotte was named for Mr. Fox to recognize his contributions.
Research at UNC Charlotte prepares students for a solid foundation of resource knowledge
and helps them see the importance of being well prepared and knowledgeable in the field
of public administration.
>> Dr. Joanne Carmen, associate professor, Gerald G. Fox MPA Program:
As faculty members part of what we do is conduct applied research in order to learn and understand
what is going on in our community and we use this research to help our students, as well
as those in the field, to really see the links between theory and practice.
>> Fountain Odom, Former Mecklenburg Country Commissioner:
Gerry was really great in doing details, he never brought any issue to us that he had
not researched thoroughly and always had good reasons for his recommendations to the board
of county commissioners.
>> Narrator:
The MPA Program also gives students hands on community research experience through the
graduate capstone courses.
>> Ashley Levy, MPA graduate, class of 2010:
The capstone courses allowed me to apply the skills I learned through the core courses,
toward a real life setting.
It was really great to work with Gerry Fox, he was always very approachable, very knowledgeable,
and just you know a good person to work with.
>> Narrator:
During twenty years as Mecklenburg County Manager, Gerald Fox oversaw the integration
of the police force, parks and recreation, city center, libraries, and more between Mecklenburg
County and the city of Charlotte.
Working throughout the region, Gerald Fox’s foresight and planning ensured that the infrastructure
of Charlotte would serve the growing population, which doubled from 1980 to 2000.
>> Parks Helms, Former Mecklenburg County Commissioner:
Gerry Fox had a rare combination of professional skills and compassion for what he was doing.
Gerry understood the importance of careful planning but some creative ways to deal with
the challenges of a changing growing community.
>> Narrator:
Are you interested in government and nonprofit work yet?
Well why choose an MPA?
>> Gerald G. Fox, Former Mecklenburg County Manager:
Public administration students are having to deal with different issues.
You are dealing with social service issues, with public health issues, with issues such
as homelessness, with mental health issues, with issues such as education and it does
take a person who has that special interest in dealing with public issues and human issues
to be successful in a public administration program.
>> Harry Jones, County Manager, Mecklenburg County, NC:
Get an MPA if you are serious about wanting to make a difference about how your community
that you live in operates and thrives.
>> Narrator:
The Gerald G. Fox MPA Program allows students to focus on specific areas of government and
nonprofit leadership.
Those concentrations are arts administration, emergency management, nonprofit management,
public finance, urban management and policy.
>> Dr. James Douglas, MPA Director, Gerald G. Fox MPA Program:
Students without relevant practical experience are required to do either a fellowship or
internship and these are generally done at local nonprofit or public agencies.
>> Narrator:
Gerald Fox chose a lifelong commitment to service.
He sets a high standard for what it means to not just be a public administrator but
a public leader.
The Gerald G. Fox MPA Program helped prepare future administration to serve and lead communities
around the world.
Stake your claim at the Gerald G. Fox MPA Program in Charlotte, North Carolina.
End of Movie Credits: Video Created by MPAD 6187, Summer 2011
Special Thanks to: City of Charlotte
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Gary Black, Communications Specialist
Mecklenburg County Health Department Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Library
Mecklenburg Country Public Service and Information UNCC Broadcast Department