1. Engagement at the Public Policy Institute Chris Cooper Director, Public Policy Institute Director, Master of Public Affairs Associate Professor Political Science & Public Affairs

2. Agenda About the PPI How the PPI integrates with the University Mission Some examples of PPI research

3. Role of a Center in a University

4. Academic component Interdisciplinary Must support the service area of the University Must create unique learning experiences for students

5. Resources ~$12,000/year 3-4 GA’s/year ½ time release for Director Work study students No full-time staff

6. Public Policy Institute History, Vision & Resources

7. Previous organization College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Political Science/ MPA Program Public Policy Institute

8. Organization and Structure Undergraduate Political Science MPA Program Local Government Training Program Public Policy Institute

9. A Shift in Mission QEP UNC-Tomorrow Bringing the tools of social science to influence policy debates and improve governance in WNC (and NC) More Cross-Disciplinary work More integration with MPA and LGTP More bridges to other Universities

10. What we do The Nexus of: –Applied Research –Basic Research –Civic Education –Outreach

11. About the PPI

13. Public Policy Institute Projects Voter Initiative American Youth Congress Constitution Day Best Practices of Local Government in WNC Nonprofit Data Assistance

14. Many Different Data Collection Techniques

15. CBS News/Chronicle of Higher Education

16. Where is Dixie?

17. One example “[Duvall] asked the communities for their input and all communities opposed it. He likened zoning to communism and totalitarianism.”

18. One Example

19. Who supports zoning in WNC? People who trust local government Liberals Newcomers More educated Older people People for whom zoning is more salient

20. Trust in Government & Opinions on Zoning

21. One Example Conservatives are less likely to support zoning, but ideology has no influence on land use planning opinions. Table 1: Distribution of Opinions on Land Use Policies ZoningLand Use Planning Strongly Against18%11% Somewhat Against21%22% Somewhat in Favor35%33% Strongly in Favor26%33% N470429

22. Product and Impact Two Policy reports distributed to all legislators in NC and government officials throughout the region. Article in the premier journal of public administration—used in classes across the country. Numerous quotations in newspapers. Contribution to the Mountain Landscapes Initiative Article in Popular Government—a journal for practitioners in North Carolina. Numerous student projects in classes, and presented at conferences.

23. Taking Advantage of What People are Talking About: The 2008 Election More than one op-ed a month. Frequent quotes Frequent presentations to groups around the state

24. The Polls Cell phones The “Bradley Effect” Likely voter screens

25. The Polls

26. Voter Turnout

31. The South

33. Voting Patterns in North Carolina

34. Percent Black Education Income Region

35. Voting Patterns in North Carolina

38. Public Policy Institute Future Projects Data Depository for WNC Faculty Fellows Program Small Conferences—always interdisciplinary, always on targeted issues, always w/ applied & academic outputs. Always w/student participation. Survey and contract work around the region.

39. What makes for a Good Center? A distinct mission. An administration that allows the Director to play to his/her strengths. A director with good connections across campus and in the community. Student involvement. An academic program with direct linkages.

40. Questions/Comments