HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-01-2022; 4-a - Proclamation Recognizing Mike Smith, Dean of UNC School of Government 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: November 1, 2022
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-a
SUBJECT: Proclamation Recognizing Mike Smith, Dean of UNC School of Government
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Renee A. Price, Chair, 919-245-2130
Laura Jensen, Clerk to the Board, 919-
245-2130
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation recognizing Mike Smith, Dean of the School of
Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
BACKGROUND: Mike Smith has led the UNC School of Government for 30 years. Smith has
been a member of the School of Government faculty — originally the Institute of Government —
since 1978 and was named director in 1992. When the Institute became known as the School of
Government in 2001, Smith was named dean. As one of the longest-serving deans in Carolina's
modern history, Smith expanded the School's capacity in the fields of management and leadership,
finance, and administration. Under his leadership, the School became the largest and most
comprehensive university-based local government training, advisory, and research organization in
the United States. Smith is a champion of the School's core values of neutrality, non-advocacy,
and responsiveness. Smith recently announced his intention to step down as dean on December
31, 2022.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact associated
with this item.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve and authorize the Chair
to sign the proclamation recognizing Mike Smith for his years of service as Dean of the School of
Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING
DEAN MIKE SMITH
WHEREAS, Michael R. "Mike" Smith became a faculty member of the University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill Institute of Government in 1978 and became its director in 1992; and
WHEREAS, when the Institute of Government became known as the School of Government in
2001, Mike Smith was named Dean and has held that position continually since then, becoming
one of the longest serving deans in University history; and
WHEREAS, Dean Mike Smith facilitated the successful transition of the Master of Public
Administration (MPA) program to the school in 1997, and helped launch the fully online MPA
degree in 2013, quadrupling the number of students served; and
WHEREAS, through Dean Smith's leadership in raising legislative and private funds, the Knapp-
Sanders Building, home of the School of Government, was renovated and expanded in 2004; and
WHEREAS, Dean Smith expanded the School's capacity to serve by offering programs in public
technology, public leadership and governance, environmental finance, development finance,
data-driven policy, and criminal justice; and
WHEREAS, under Dean Smith's leadership, the School of Government has become the largest
and most comprehensive university-based local government training, advisory, and research
organization in the United States; and
WHEREAS, in 2006, Dean Smith was appointed Vice Chancellor for Public Service and
Engagement, leading the response to UNC Tomorrow, an initiative to make the University of North
Carolina System more responsive to the needs of the state; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure, Dean Smith was a force behind some of the University's most
significant public outreach efforts within the state, including the Carolina Center for Public Service,
the Thorp Faculty Engaged Scholars Program, the Carolina Engagement Council, and the Tar
Heel Bus Tour; and
WHEREAS, Dean Smith exemplifies the values of neutrality, nonadvocacy, and responsiveness
of the School of Government in its mission to improve state and local governments for all North
Carolinians; and
WHEREAS, as he steps down as Dean at the end of 2022, Dean Smith leaves a legacy as one
of the University's greatest champions of public service;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the people of
Orange County, does hereby proclaim Wednesday, November 2, 2022 as
DEAN MIKE SMITH DAY
in recognition of his years of exemplary service as Dean of the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill School of Government, and in appreciation of his commitment to improving North
Carolina communities through professionalism and leadership in government.
This the 1St day of November, 2022.
Renee Price, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners