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A lifelong resident of Fletcher, NC, Preston Blakely '19 earned his Master of Public Affairs from Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ, where he completed a capstone project creating performance metrics for the City of Hendersonville. Since graduating, he has leveraged the skills and knowledge gained through the program to serve as Mayor of Fletcher—the youngest in North Carolina—and manage his family business. His Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵMPA experience helped prepare him for leadership roles in both public service and the community.

Mollie Conner '21 serves as the Annexation Planner for the City of Charleston, South Carolina, coordinating city growth and collaborating with local leaders to ensure thoughtful, legal annexations. She earned both her Bachelor’s in Political Science and her Master of Public Affairs from Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ in 2021. Her WCU MPA experience—combined with internships and work in both public and private sectors— provided the foundation and skills she uses every day in local government leadership and community outreach.

Kevin D. Bryson earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, and a Master of Public Affairs from Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ, where he was guided by faculty mentors who helped him navigate an accelerated program under the G.I. Bill. Since graduating, he has built a remarkable career in public service, serving as lead narcotics detective in Swain County, Region 1 Coordinator of the North Carolina Gang Investigators Association, a lieutenant at Bryson City Fire Department, and Commander of the 390th Engineer Company in the Army Reserve. His Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵMPA training, including expertise in grants and GIS, equips him to better serve his community and strengthen local emergency services.

Jessie L. Levy, MSW, MPA, LCSW, is a dedicated trauma support services leader with more than 15 years of experience in social work, specializing in crisis intervention, peer support, and program development. As Trauma Support Services Program Manager at Atrium Health, she oversees the Trauma Survivors Network at Carolinas Medical Center and Levine Children’s Hospital, integrating mental health services, substance use interventions, and innovative, patient-centered care for individuals recovering from traumatic injury. A recognized speaker and published author, Jessie credits her MPA with strengthening her leadership and advocacy work, equipping her to advance systems of care and improve outcomes for injured patients.