Jonathan Q. Morgan joined the UNC School of Government in 2003 and is now a professor of public administration. He teaches, advises public officials, and conducts applied research on economic development.

What originally brought you to Carolina?

In 2003, I had the opportunity to join the School of Government in a new faculty role focused on economic development. My background in economics and public administration, combined with experience as a practitioner at the state level and with a national consulting firm, felt like a natural fit with the school’s mission to support public officials and promote good government in North Carolina.

How has your role evolved over the years?

As my expertise has grown, I’ve expanded my teaching, research, and service. I’ve also taken on leadership roles in the field, including serving an eight-year elected term on the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Board of Directors from 2017–2024. I’m honored to now be considered a go-to scholar and analyst in economic development.

My research focuses on helping North Carolina public officials make informed decisions about economic development strategies, tools, metrics, and ways to structure service delivery. I write for both practitioners and academics in ways that encourage those audiences to reinforce each other. The School of Government’s public service mission shapes my work, which often extends into longer-term advising and consulting with government and nonprofit organizations.

Over time, my research has broadened from core economic development practices to more innovative approaches to supporting investment and job creation. Early work examined how local governments stimulate growth and move beyond traditional industrial recruitment. More recent efforts explore placemaking strategies, innovation ecosystems like the Research Triangle’s “triple helix” model, local food systems, and the links between health and economic development — especially in rural, distressed communities.

I also study the tools and frameworks that support better decision-making in economic development, such as strategic planning, development impact analysis, performance measurement, and organizational structure. Across all of this, my goal is to translate complex ideas into accessible knowledge that strengthens public sector capacity while contributing to the field.

What has kept you at Carolina?

The opportunity to make a meaningful impact. The School of Government provides a powerful platform for me to work with students, public officials, and communities across North Carolina and beyond. I value teaching and mentoring our MPA students, many of whom now hold leadership roles. It’s especially gratifying when former students credit my courses with sparking their interest and careers in economic development.

I’m also motivated by connecting research to real problems. In 2020, for example, I worked with Edgecombe County to investigate chronically high unemployment. With funding from the N.C. Department of Commerce and in collaboration with NCGrowth at the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, we surveyed local job seekers and identified three key barriers: a lack of good-paying jobs, insufficient training opportunities, and weak social networks.

Those findings directly informed the county’s creation of a first-of-its-kind career navigator position, which connected more than 100 residents to employment resources in its first year. That kind of applied research — producing actionable insights and tangible change — is deeply rewarding.

What contribution or accomplishment are you most proud of?

On the teaching side, the UNC Basic Economic Development Course is a highlight. I’ve led it since 2004, offering it annually as a four-day program on the foundations of economic development practice. It’s one of 28 courses nationwide accredited by IEDC for the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation.

On the research side, two long-term projects stand out: my statewide survey of local government economic development activities and the “Economic Development Handbook.”

The survey, first conducted in 2005 and updated in 2015 and 2025, is a cornerstone of my scholarship. It tracks how local economic development strategies evolve over time and has yielded publications for both practitioners and academic audiences. The 2025 survey adds new variables and deeper insights, and I’m currently finalizing analyses for upcoming publications.

The “Economic Development Handbook,” produced in partnership with the N.C. Economic Development Association and now in its fifth edition, is a practical guide for public officials and community leaders. It covers topics like business attraction and retention, entrepreneurship, workforce development, incentives, infrastructure, and strategic planning. I also use it extensively in my training programs.

What’s a uniquely Carolina experience that has stood out to you?

Shortly after joining the faculty, I participated in the Tar Heel Bus Tour. It was a meaningful experience — an opportunity to connect with colleagues across disciplines while traveling the state and engaging directly with communities. It deepened my appreciation for North Carolina’s history, diversity, challenges, and opportunities.