蘑菇短视频

Dr. Christopher Cooper

Director, Public Policy Institute

Christopher Cooper is the Department Head of Political Science and Public Affairs at Western Carolina University. His work on state politics, political communication, public policy, and political behavior has been published in Public Administration Review, Social Forces, Policy Studies Journal, Political Research Quarterly, State Politics and Policy Quarterly, American Politics Research, Social Science Quarterly, PS: Political Science and Politics, State and Local Government Review, Popular Government, and other journals as well as in edited works published by Brookings Institution Press, Congressional Quarterly Press, and the University Press of Kentucky, among others. His book, The New Politics of North Carolina (edited with Gibbs Knotts) was recently published by the University of North Carolina Press. His work uses a variety of research and data collection techniques including surveys, experiments, archival research, and qualitative interviewing.

In addition to his academic work, Dr. Cooper frequently conducts evaluation studies and surveys for local governments and non-profits throughout North Carolina. He is also co-author of two versions of the Regional Outlook Report, a major outreach initiative by 蘑菇短视频 that assessed public opinion in the 23 westernmost counties. He frequently publishes op-eds in newspapers throughout the Southeast and gives talks throughout the region about politics and public policy.

Bob Boylan

Director of the Local Government Training Program, Assistant Director of the Public Policy Institute

The Local Government Training Program coordinates programming to address the training needs of public officials and local government professionals in the 26 westernmost counties in North Carolina. In addition, we organize meetings of the Western North Carolina Managers Association (WNCMA), which is a group of city and county managers in the westernmost 26 counties.

Stephanie Sweeney

Graduate Assistant

Stephanie graduated from the University of South Carolina with a BA in Polictical Science. After a successful career in hospitality, a chance to pursue a career change came was taken. Stephanie enrolled at 蘑菇短视频 to pursue her MPA, and her goal is to work in local government. Making an impact on her community is her mission.  Living in Western Carolina is where she wants to be and will pursue her career.

Sarah Tisinger

Graduate Assistant

Sarah (She/Her) is a second year Master's student at 蘑菇短视频, pursuing the Public Affairs program. She also works at The University of North Carolina Asheville's Residential Life Office as a Graduate Community Director and serves as a Graduate Assistant with 蘑菇短视频鈥檚 Phil and Connie Haire Institute for Public Policy. Before starting graduate school, Sarah spent two years with AmeriCorps, first as a Team Leader in AmeriCorps N.C.C.C.'s Southwest Region and then as a Community Program Associate with AmeriCorps North Carolina. She earned a degree in Emergency and Disaster Management, International Studies, and Leadership Theory, and has developed unique skills while traveling the country since May 2023. Outside of her professional experience and academics, you can find Sarah exploring nature trails, visiting National Parks, and spending time with her dog, Quico.

Riley Edmundson

Graduate Assistant

MPA Student