The WCU Public Policy Institute aims to empower the Western North Carolina region
to effectively manage real policy problems by mobilizing students, community leaders,
faculty, and citizens to discuss and develop viable policy options to create more
effective policies.
Our Goals
- To help students to become active participants in their communities.
- To improve public policy in the region by conducting rigorous research on major issues and making it available and understandable
to a practitioner audience.
- To exercise policy leadership in the region.
- To obtain resources to carry out the mission of the institute, and to attract dedicated students, faculty,
and staff to assist in carrying out the mission.
Recent Projects
Some of our recent PPI projects include:
- the LoGoS (Local Government Survey), an annual survey of all municipal and county
governments in North Carolina on an issue of relevance in the field;
- the WNC Food Policy Council, a network of more than 200 food producers and food
security agencies in the seven western counties of North Carolina;
- county-wide surveys for Haywood County, NC, concerning public library usage and land
use planning
- election debates held on the campus of Western Carolina University
- the North Carolina Nonprofits Survey, an annual survey of nonprofits in the state
on an issue of relevance in the field; and
- preparation for the educational events and seminars which we host on campus in the
fall and spring semesters.
The PPI In the News
Appalachian Farm School Coverage: The Sylva Herald
Appalachian Farm School Coverage: WCQS
Asheville Citizen-Times Debate Coverage
Hendersonville Times-News Debate Coverage
WLOS Debate Coverage
