Students

MPA Student Profile

 

True Carolina Blue: Philip Rogers
by Jean Coble, MPA External Relations Coordinator

Philip Rogers grew up in Greenville, North Carolina, which he refers to as the typical southern college town community. “Everyone knows everyone through sports,” he said. “There was not a single child in Greenville who didn’t grow up playing little league baseball. We always gathered at Cubbies for hotdogs and fries. It is just one of those towns where everyone knows your name.” He adds, “Of course we have the best BBQ in North Carolina. There is absolutely nothing that can beat eastern North Carolina BBQ.”

From an early age, Philip’s parents instilled in him the value of hard work. “They encouraged me to get a job and accept responsibility as a young teenager. The example they set instilled in me a desire to care about the community and to appreciate the opportunities I have been given. My entire family is involved in community service, especially through our church. That created a desire to serve people, and as I got older that desire to give back to the world evolved into an interest in government.”

When asked why he selected Carolina’s MPA Program, Philip explained that he received his undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University, where he was a Poteat Scholar. “I knew I had a passion for government and wanted to go to graduate school in that area,” Philip said. The director of the Poteat Scholarship Program suggested that Philip look at Carolina’s MPA Program. He also suggested Philip talk with Wake Forest graduate and MPA alumnus Paul Spruill, ’95. “Paul and I connected via telephone on a Saturday afternoon,” Phil explained. “He was in his office working on the Beaufort County budget. He stopped everything and talked with me for almost 45 minutes. He was really the catalyst for my career in public administration. Dr. Ammons was also a tremendous help. He was the first faculty member I met, and he has been a great resource for me.”

Philip says the last two years have passed quickly. “I can’t believe I’m finishing up my second year. I have completed my capstone on the use of online tools in North Carolina state legislative campaigns last fall. I am now deep in course work and job search mode.”

Philip says that his experience in the Carolina MPA Program has been rewarding. “One of the most impressive things about the program is the overwhelming support and willingness of alumni to work with students. I’ll miss my classmates and I’m continuing to appreciate the cohort experience. Our MPA “Implement This!” flag football season helped our class bond early in the first year. It was wonderful connecting with faculty outside of the classroom when they came to watch our games.”

One of Philip's most enjoyable MPA experiences was being involved in the creation of the COWSE Committee (Committee on Weekly Student Excellence). “It was the spring semester of our first year,” Philip explains, “and we were really at a stressful point, thinking we would never survive group projects. We started recognizing our classmates for things they accomplished, such as the first person to get an internship, etc. It was something we looked forward to every week. Classmates would lobby for other classmates and even themselves to get the award. It lightened the semester.”

Outside of the classroom, Philip enjoys playing tennis. “My claim to fame is that I went to two 4-A High School State Tennis Championships,” he says proudly. “I made it to the finals of the state championships two years in a row. I still actively play tennis in Greenville. It is definitely a great MPA stress buster.”

Philip’s internship last summer was with the Resources Group public affairs firm, where he assisted with managing public affairs issues for various clients such as Wake County. “I’m really interested in public affairs matters such as relationship building, community engagement, and strategic planning,” he says. “After graduation, I hope to work in an area that helps me to build on this interest. I would really like to do something in public affairs, especially at the University level.”

While at UNC-Chapel Hill, Philip received the Nanette V. Mengel Scholarship. “Receiving the scholarship made all the difference in the world,” he says. “My parents had two children in college for eight years in a row, so this scholarship was important for me. I am very appreciative of the Mengel family and MPA alumni for their support.”

Currently, Philip works as a Policy Analyst at East Carolina University's Chancellors Office.

This profile was first published in the Winter 2007 issue of Impact newsletter.