Justin McDougald, MPA

"A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him." David Brinkley

Attending UNCG I decided to major in Sociology. I began to determine my interest and started understanding the importance of networking. In the spring of 2005, I became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Inc. Through this organization I began to broaden my horizons, which led to unique opportunities that I normally would not have come across. Serving as the National PanHellenic Council's President, member of the Student Provost Committee, Student Manager in the Office of Student Life, and member of SGA, I left my mark on UNCG.

God has always guided me and He has led me to aid youths that are at a disadvantage. Working my way up from temporary staff to the Unit Director in just three months at the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club, I found my niche. To help me reach my goal of opening up a non-profit counseling center, I returned to school at North Carolina Central University in the Master's of Public Administration program.

I recently graduated from NCCU's MPA program where I served as the Director of Educational Activities for the Graduate Association for Public Administration, Vice President for Pi Alpha Alpha, Public Administration National Honor Society, Student Conduct and Assessment Coordinator for Residential Life, and intern with the City of Durham as the Small Business Project Specialist, all the while maintaining a 4.0.

Upon completion of my MPA, I decided to continue to further my education. Therefore the decision was made to return to school to receive a terminal degree. I am currently a first year doctoral student at North Carolina A & T State University. It is here that I am pursuing my doctorate in Leadership Studies with a focus on Educational Leadership. My overall career goal is to become a Chancellor or President of a University or College respectively. Providing others with opportunities to enhance leadership skills and abilities as well as taking advantage of opportunities to enhance my personal leadership qualities are a primary focus of my life. I serve as a Graduate Hall Director (GHD) with NC A&T Housing and Residence Life, where I have the opportunity to learn and grown in the field of Higher Education, specifically in student affairs. It is with every intent to utilize my current position to build a foundation that will enable me to reach my career goals.