Brenda Mills, a student in Western Carolina University’s master’s degree program in public affairs, has been named to NC Magazine’s 2009 list of exceptional women leaders.

Project manager for the city of Asheville, Mills previously served as the city’s minority business program coordinator, counseling merchants about local markets, resources and working with the government.

“I realized early on I had a gift, that I could help people understand government in a positive way,” Mills told NC Magazine. “I have a passion for this—to help citizens understand—and graduate school has helped me clarify that public service is what I most want to do.”

Her work has led her to serve on the boards of the YWCA of Asheville, the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, and Manna Food Bank. Mills earned her bachelor’s degree in industrial relations/political science at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

“Brenda is an exceptional student and person,” said Chris Cooper, director of WCU’s MPA program. “She livens up every class she’s in with her unique combination of cheer, wit, public service experience and academic rigor. Brenda is the sort of student we want in the MPA program—her fellow students learn a tremendous amount from her, but she is also quick to listen and learn from them.”

Rosemary DePaolo, current chancellor at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington and former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Western Carolina, also was named to NC Magazine’s list.

For more information about the master’s degree in public affairs, contact Cooper at (828) 227-3861.

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Last modified: Friday, June 12, 2009